Chapter 19
“The whole team came up with it,” Adeline said as she opened two more documents. “But we actually thought of three ideas. This one felt like the best, but we have no clue how to take it further.”
That explains a lot. Josie finally understood why, in her past life, Adeline’s team didn’t go with this proposal for the competition.
Josie grabbed the mouse, clicked a few spots, and started typing.
Even though years had passed, the project plan from her previous life was still vivid in her mind.
It didn’t take long before Josie filled in the development plan following the innovation proposal, all based on memory.
“Take a look at this. If I plan it like this, will it be hard for you guys to execute?” Josie said. She genuinely wanted Adeline to outshine Aiden, so she didn’t hold anything back.
The moment Adeline saw the proposal, she was so thrilled she almost hugged Josie on the spot.
Adeline exclaimed, “Oh my god, Josie, you seriously get me. One of our senior team members said we were stuck exactly at this part because we don’t have anyone specialized in cytology. If we want to make this innovation work, we’ll definitely need someone who knows cytology to provide professional data when we create the final product. But you know how it is—everyone’s busy with their own projects; who would be willing to help us?”
Adeline paused for a second and asked, “Josie, are you not planning to enter the competition?”
“Even if I do, our projects won’t clash at all.” Josie smiled. “You just need to trust me and go ahead with my plan.”
Josie added, “If you need more detailed data for the final presentation or paper, just let me know. I promise I won’t hold back.”
Adeline had no trouble believing that. After living with Josie as roommates for four years, if there’s one thing she was sure of, it was Josie’s character. At the very least, Josie never lied and always kept her promises. Especially when it came to those senior team members—Josie had always gone above and beyond for them. It was a shame really, how things eventually fell apart.
Probably that Natalie Kinberg’s doing. Josie was way too naive to go up against a snake like her.
Feeling a wave of sympathy, Adeline said gently, “Josie, if anyone messes with you, just let me know. I’ll stand up for you. And don’t let what’s happening on the forum get to you. I know you’re not that kind of person. If you say she plagiarized, then she plagiarized. I don’t care if there’s no proof. I believe you.”
Josie didn’t expect her to bring that up so suddenly and couldn’t help but laugh. She said, “Thanks! But it’s over now. Let’s not bring it up again.”
“Whatever you say.” Adeline turned back to refine the plan Josie had just written, while also contacting her team to discuss it.
Josie, however, couldn’t stop thinking about the forum. When she clicked on it, she realized just how lively things had gotten online.
Following the trail of comments, Josie eventually found the original post—a public announcement about her joining Delilah’s team.
Thinking back to what Sean had asked her earlier that day, Josie figured Sean was probably the one who made the post. She casually hit follow on his profile and continued reading.
Most of the replies mocked her, saying Josie had lost her mind. Who in their right mind would drop a hot major, quit David’s team, and switch to a dead-end field? People called her insane.
A few comments, very few, praised her courage, saying Josie was bold and deserved respect. But they were drowned out in the sea of mockery.
Another portion of the comments speculated on why Josie left David’s team.
The plagiarism scandal surfaced again, but it didn’t cause much of a stir because everyone’s attention was quickly stolen by an official campus announcement.
The announcement, issued under David’s name, stated: [Following recruitment assessments, the new research team members for the latest project are as follows…]
Of course, Josie’s name was nowhere on the list.