Chapter 124

“If each of us takes a paper, we’ll get a pretty good idea. It’s not hard to tell if this kid is just bluffing or if she’s really put in the work.”

More professors stood up, echoing their support.

Soon, more and more teachers joined in. It was clear these were the professors who usually kept a low profile but were known for their solid teaching skills.

As one professor after another stood up, David realized it was too late to stop them.

Even though he was sure Josie’s lab notes and papers were worthless, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

When he looked up and caught the way Delilah was looking at him, like he was beneath her, that uneasy feeling only got worse.

He thought, ‘Why would I be nervous? I know Josie. There is no way she could’ve written anything worthwhile. She is nothing special compared to my other students. Today, I want to make her pay. She needs to learn that taking a shortcut to the top isn’t going to get her anywhere. Delilah has to be punished, too. She can’t just resort to any means just to put me down, ignoring the professional ethics she’s supposed to uphold as a teacher!’

As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the auditorium only grew.

While the professors were busy reading through the papers, Josie wasn’t just waiting around.

She pulled out her phone and looked up a paper that had recently been published in the campus medical journal.

The author was none other than Kyle.

Josie noticed that a professor was reading the experimental paper she’d written not long ago.

She walked over and handed her phone to the professor.

Josie said steadily, “Professor, this is a paper by Kyle on the same experiment, published around the same time. You can compare it with mine and see the difference.”

Seeing Josie take the initiative to talk with the professors, David chided her lightly.

He snapped, “Don’t interrupt the professors’ judgment. This isn’t something you can get away with by playing the victim. Josie, watch your behavior!”

“Are you crazy or what?” Delilah shot back, “Do you even know what Josie is saying to that professor, and you just jump in to scold her?”

She glared at him. “Have you even checked if you’re in any position to lecture anyone right now?”

David’s face flushed red, then turned pale. He prided himself on being a respectable scholar. He would never curse someone out in public.

He thought, ‘The Reedshaw family used to be one of the top families in Aloville. Now they’ve completely fallen from grace. It’s bad enough their children keep getting worse with each generation, but to end up raising a loudmouthed shrew like her? She has no business being a professor. She’s a disgrace to our school. I feel ashamed to be her colleague. No matter what, I’ll make sure the school gets rid of her for good!’

David squared his shoulders and lifted his chin.

He said coldly, “I’m not going to stoop to pointless bickering with you. Let the facts do the talking.”

He strode right past Josie, heading straight for the professor who was reading Kyle’s paper.

He said, “Professor Badman, don’t let this girl pull the wool over your eyes. She’s always putting on an act, pretending to be pitiful just to get sympathy. That’s exactly how she fooled my students before.”

Earl Badman was quite stubborn. He shot him a glare and barked, “What the fuck are you talking about? Seriously, what did this girl ever do to you that you have to go after her like this?”

David looked completely baffled. He thought he was just being helpful. He wondered how he got scolded in the end.

David fumed inwardly, ‘Earl thinks he can throw his weight around just because he’s older and more experienced. He doesn’t even bother to show me any respect. It’s outrageous. I have really underestimated Josie. Who would’ve thought she was so good at this? She’d managed to get everyone on her side in no time!’

David’s face darkened with a flash of anger, but he forced himself to keep his composure as he tried to reason with Earl.

David said, “I’m not targeting her. You know me. I’m someone who can’t tolerate even a grain of sand in my eye. I’ve always cared only about true professional ability, and I simply can’t stand students who try to game the system.”

“Oh, really?” Earl shot him a frosty look and shoved his phone at David.

He said, “From where I’m standing, it looks like you have got quite a lot of sand in your eyes.”