My hands trembled. “You’re blaming me for this?”
“I’m asking you to be reasonable,” he said stiffly. “Your refusal cost us millions in royal aid. The board wants to close the matter quietly. So do I.”
I laughed, humorless. “You’d rather bend than stand.”
He straightened. “I’d rather keep my job. And you’d do well to remember who approved your position here.”
Something inside me snapped. “No,” I said. “I earned my position. You only signed your name on it.”
He blinked, taken aback. “Doctor…”
“I won’t be silenced again,” I said, voice steady now. “I won't be silenced by kings or by directors.”
He frowned. “Careful. You’re overstepping.”
“Then fire me.”
His mouth opened, then closed again. He didn’t know what to do with defiance that didn’t fear consequence.
I turned my back on him
