A wave of shock rippled through the hall, as if a clap of thunder had struck. Every pair of eyes turned to Oscar, whose face was now flushed red with fury. His hands were almost tugging at his hair in frantic frustration, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts.
"But it wasn't my fault!" he shouted, his wide, frantic eyes darting around the room, desperately searching for someone to blame.
Then, with a wild point toward Susanne, he screamed again. "She! She's the one who orchestrated all of this! I didn't want any part of it, I swear! I wanted to submit my own work!"
The room fell silent for a heartbeat before all eyes shifted to Susanne. Her eyes were wide with fear and disbelief, her breath caught in her throat. She gripped the edges of her seat tightly, her knuckles turning white, her face draining even further of color.
"What?!" she finally managed, her voice shaky but loud. "What the hell are you talking about?! I have nothing to do with this!"
