What she was expecting didn’t happen. Instead, she fell into a broad chest. Raising her head in surprise, she saw Leon’s straight, dark eyes. The fall jolted Kelly. Some students had noticed the situation and began gossiping when they saw Kelly and Leon.

The surrounding commotion jolted Kelly back to her senses, and she fumbled out of Leon’s embrace. Straightening herself, she muttered, “Thank you, Professor Builer.”

Looking at her, Leon asked gently, “Are you okay?”

She panicked and nodded. “I’m fine.”

Finally, Leon turned to Chester. Unlike the look he gave Kelly, his gaze was sharp and stately.

“P—Professor Butler.” Chester’s heart shuddered when he met Leon’s eyes.

“Delete the pictures,” Leon instructed curtly.

Chester dared not disobey and hurriedly opened the album on his cellphone. Then, he showed it to Leon. “Professor Butler, I’ve deleted them.”

Next to them, Kelly uttered suddenly, “Also from the recently deleted folder.”

Immediately, Chester glared at her, and Leon narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Without wasting a second, Chester deleted the pictures from the said folder. “I’ve deleted them. I swear.”

Leon brushed his gaze over everyone in the room. “People offered their bodies as cadavers for the sake of medical education and development. Without them, we wouldn’t have achieved our current medical advancements.”

“We should respect their dedication instead of fooling around and making fun of them. This behavior is blasphemy.”

Chester blushed brightly, hanging his head in shame.

“All of you are future doctors, and many lives will be in your hands in the future. The first thing you need to learn in today’s lesson is to respect lives.”

“Have great respect for life because the future of medicine is in your hands,” Leon concluded. His words were inspiring and powerful, resonating like a final message from the cadavers, ensuring their spirits would be remembered. All the students were awestruck and respectful; they didn't fool around for even a second afterward. The lesson ended, and they left the laboratory.

Melissa dragged Kelly toward the academic buildings. “Professor Butler was dashing earlier. His words inspired me, and I feel a heavy responsibility on my shoulders because countless lives will be in our hands.”

“If we become doctors in the future, we will be responsible for many patients’ lives,” said Kelly.

Melissa was quiet for a few seconds. “I didn’t take this major seriously in the past because it’s not a subject I was interested in. That’s why I’ve not been studying seriously for the past couple of years.”

“I’ll learn it if I can, but I won’t beat myself up if I can’t. I’ve never thought about my responsibilities to the patients if I become a doctor in the future.”

It surprised Kelly that Melissa would say such things. Clearly, this lesson left a deep impact on her.

“It’s not too late now,” Kelly reminded her.

Determination shimmered in Melissa’s eyes. “Yes. This is only the third year. I still have a chance. I must be a good doctor in the future, saving lives and helping the injured.”

“Kelly, ask me along to the library wherever you are going.”

“I’m going right now,” Kelly said.

Melissa’s face fell. “What? But I’m so tired now. I didn’t sleep well last…”

Kelly glanced at her. “Someone has just announced that she wants to be a good doctor.”

Melissa, feeling as though Kelly was looking down on her, was energized. “Come on, let’s go now. We’re going to study, aren’t we? That’s my forte.”

“I must catch up to you. I’ll put in 100 percent effort, study through the night, and even study when I’m in the shower.”

Speechlessly, Kelly quickened her pace, and Melissa caught up to her. “Hey, Kelly, I’m not finished yet.”

However, Kelly didn’t stop. “What?”

“Earlier in the lab, when Professor Butler was making that speech, I took a look at you. Guess what I saw in your eyes?” Melissa asked.

Kelly stopped in her tracks. “Did you see my eye booger?”

Chapter 54