Gemotions

The professor’s words, sharp and dismissive, echoed in Mark’s mind. Accused of plagiarism in his final essay, Mark was left shattered, a cloud of despair settling on him. He knew who had orchestrated the false accusations. It was Claire, the class's most studious, if somewhat unlikable, student. Her envy had reached a boiling point.

Mark began to circulate rumours. He targeted Claire's aspirations of getting into a prestigious graduate program. He subtly spread whispers about her erratic behaviour and dubious research methods.

He contacted some potential mentors, hinting at "red flags" in her application. The program rejected her. He felt a slow, dark satisfaction, a strange sense of liberation.