Chapter 184

“However, I have come to realize that even fairness and objectivity were just my own wishful thinking.”

Josie was filled with hatred. She felt her past efforts were worthless. Once again, she was heartbroken for her former self. She was so naive as to be pitiable.

David’s face turned dark red, looking extremely unsightly. “I haven’t even said anything yet, and you’ve already launched into a long-winded speech, putting yourself on an unassailable moral high ground. We’ve been on multiple occasions for so long, and I never realized your eloquence was this impressive.

“Since you are so articulate, why did you not truthfully inform me of everything that happened within the team at the time? Had you disclosed it, how could the current situation have arisen?”

‘Here we go again with the victim-blaming nonsense. So, his moral issues are all my fault because I didn’t actively point them out?’

Josie felt it was like talking to a wall and said, “Excuse me, I have an exam to get to. Professor, could you please let me through?”

“What exam?” David remained still. “There is no exam today!”

Josie furrowed her brows. “Today is the acupuncture exam. Are you unaware of this? Or are you deliberately trying to make me miss the exam?”

“You…” David was so angry that his chest tightened. Still, he was not so petty as to prevent her from taking the exam. “You’ve only been studying for just over two months. What makes you think you can pass the exam?”

“Whether it is possible or not, we will know once we try.” Josie turned sideways and walked forward.

David turned around and looked at her silhouette. “Here is my proposal: if you pass the exam, I will no longer intervene in matters concerning Kyle. If you do not pass, you must inform the school that you will no longer pursue the issue.

“Rest assured, a student like Kyle, whose character is questionable, will not be permitted to remain on the team. However, he will be exempted from both a public apology and expulsion.”

As expected, he remained as selfish as ever. Although he appeared to be pleading with Kyle, his true intention was still to protect his own reputation.

If there were no public apology and no withdrawal from school, even if Kyle was removed from the team, people would not think it was the team’s problem, let alone that it would affect the team’s reputation.

At most, people would think that Kyle was eliminated from the team due to poor academic performance and inability to keep up with the group.

‘You really know how to work things to your advantage!’

Josie laughed in exasperation. “Why should I make a bet with you? If you truly had any authority over Kyle’s affairs, you would not have come to block my way so early in the morning.”

“Professor Lawson, you should abandon any hope. Kyle dared to slander me. Forcing him to make a public apology and withdraw from the university would be considered lenient consequences.”

Seeing Josie’s stubborn refusal to listen, David knew she was no longer the obedient and well-mannered girl she once was. David felt both surprised and frustrated.

“What? Are you afraid?” David let out a quiet laugh. “I knew it. Without my team, you are nothing. If you think you can make a name for yourself through acupuncture, you are dreaming!”

Even though she knew he was deliberately trying to provoke her, Josie still felt indignant. With the exam time fast approaching, she couldn’t be bothered to argue with him any longer. “A bet it is. There’s nothing I’m afraid of. But Professor Lawson, don’t you think this wager is a bit unfair to me?

“Here is my condition: if I win, you must agree to provide me with a backup copy of all research materials in which I have participated within the team. Only then will I agree with your condition.”

David’s eyes widened slightly. “You are being utterly unrealistic!”

“Why is that, Professor? Are you afraid now?” Josie let out a cold laugh. “Or is it that these are merely research materials, and you fear I might surpass your entire team?”

David was so angry that he was almost out of breath. “You’re just a reckless little girl who doesn’t know her place. How dare you speak so boldly!”

“Make your point. Are you going to bet or not? Give me a straightforward answer.” Josie glanced at her watch.