The instant those words left my lips, Steve's bravado evaporated, leaving a trail of guilt in its wake.

Tobey's silence was a heavy one, especially when my mother's name was mentioned.

They were gorging on my mother's legacy while nurturing another's offspring.

This time, only one of us could endure—either Scarlett or me, and there was no compromise.

She cowered in Steve's embrace, her body quivering, and I cast her a frosty stare.

"How long do you plan to hide behind them? Go and face the family of the victim and explain yourself.

"I need to reconsider your position. Forget about setting foot in the morgue during this probationary period.

"Commit the case files to memory. Tomorrow, I want to see the family's signed consent for a second autopsy!"

Just as I was about to turn and depart, Tobey's voice halted me in my tracks.

"Wait!"

His brow furrowed deeper than on the somber day my mother breathed her last.

"Scarlett made an innocent slip; she deserves an opportunity to learn from it."

I peered at Scarlett's curled-up form and let out a derisive chuckle.

"Sure, it was a first-time blunder, but she should never have arrogated to herself the task of false testimony."

"Catherine! She's still inexperienced... I'm worried about her future..."

I unleashed my frustration without restraint.

"Her future? What about everyone else's? A forensic expert who hasn't even mastered the case file has no place in the autopsy room.

"If she genuinely believes herself a prodigy, she wouldn't be weeping and clinging to 'daddy' or 'big brother' for help!"

Tobey was struck dumb, stunned by my unvarnished allusion to her "daddy."

His hand trembled as he clutched his hat as if I had unveiled a concealed truth.

Scarlett collapsed to her knees, leaning against Steve. "That's bullshit! I was just... Just don't spread more lies about me!"

She shot a coy glance at Steve, whose discomfort grew by the second.

I scoffed. "Spreading lies? You know too well that I'm telling the truth."

With a smirk, I prodded further. "Go on, parade your self-proclaimed genius status to the victim's family. Let's see if it carries any weight.

"Don't you aspire to grow? If you don't nail this sh*t, you'll never be promoted while under my supervision!"