Chapter 2

The other judges on the "Gold Panel" saw Victoria's attack.

They smelled blood in the water.

One CEO, a man known for his brutal take-downs, chimed in.

"Yeah, I've met a lot of Ivy Leaguers. They usually know their stuff. Or at least can fake it better."

Laughter rippled through the live audience.

Chad Broderick, the show's host, stepped forward. His smile was wide and fake.

He loved drama. It meant ratings.

"Well, Sarah, this is quite the accusation!" Chad said, his voice full of false concern. "Do you have a response for Victoria and the panel?"

Sarah's mind raced. This was a nightmare.

"My degrees are absolutely real," Sarah said, her voice trembling slightly but firm. "I have my digital transcripts and letters of recommendation. I can display them on the screen."

She had prepared for this, bringing everything on a flash drive.

"Oh, please," Victoria scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Digital files? Those are so easily faked these days. Anyone can whip up a fake Harvard letterhead."

Sarah felt a surge of anger but pushed it down.

"I also have physical copies of my diplomas," Sarah said, reaching into her bag beside the podium.

A production assistant moved to help her connect her flash drive to the large screen on stage.

Sarah looked up at the screen. Her MIT transcript flickered, then pixelated.

Then the screen went blue.

"Oh, dear, a technical glitch!" Chad announced, feigning surprise. "How unfortunate. These things happen on live TV!"

Victoria smirked. It was a small, almost invisible expression, but Sarah saw it.

Sarah pulled out her folder with the physical diplomas. They were in protective sleeves.

Her Harvard diploma, her Yale diploma, her MIT diploma. Years of hard work.

As she laid them on the podium, Victoria Sterling stood up, holding her artisanal kombucha bottle.

Victoria walked towards Sarah, supposedly to get a "closer look."

"Let me see these supposed masterpieces," Victoria said.

Then, Victoria "tripped."

The kombucha – a dark, sticky, berry-flavored liquid – splashed all over Sarah's diplomas.

The paper warped instantly. The ink began to run.

"Oh, my goodness!" Victoria exclaimed, her hand flying to her mouth in mock horror. "I am so clumsy! Your papers! Ruined!"

The audience gasped again. Social media, already buzzing, exploded with mockery.

#IvyLeagueImposter was trending.

Sarah stared at the ruined documents. Her heart pounded.