Chapter 21
Compared to the flood of mockery and abuse filling Josie’s screens, Natalie’s world was basking in glory.
With David’s announcement and the public support from Aiden and a few others, her comment section was a one-sided sea of well-wishes and praise. Occasionally, a couple of sour remarks would pop up, but they were quickly drowned out by the deluge. There were hardly any people badmouthing her; such things were practically nonexistent. Natalie was in high spirits and casually sent a message to Josie.
Josie didn’t see it until the next morning. After logging off the forum the night before, she’d shut down her computer and buried herself in her textbooks. Josie had filled pages with notes, but a few stubborn problems remained unsolved. She planned to find Claire later to ask about them.
Grabbing her phone to head out, Josie spotted the private message notification. Opening it, she read Natalie’s words:
Natalie: [Josie, try not to take the online comments too seriously. I believe with your abilities, you’ll thrive even after changing majors. Hang in there.]
Josie clicked her tongue and thought, ‘Still with that sickly-sweet act. Just flaunt your success if you want to; there’s no need for this fake concern.’
After a moment’s thought, Josie replied: [Okay!]
Josie couldn’t afford to ignore Natalie. If she wanted to uncover the plagiarism, Natalie needed to keep strutting around. The more Natalie flaunted herself, the more chances Josie would have to find her mistakes.
Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Josie headed for the library. To her surprise, Claire was already there. The moment she saw Josie, Claire thrust a large cup of coffee into her hands. “Drink this. This should chase away the blues.”
“Why would I be blue?” Josie blinked, genuinely puzzled. “Seeing you makes me happy. Truly.”
Her earnestness made Claire laugh. “You’re so cute,” Claire said, unable to resist reaching out and giving Josie’s cheek a playful pinch.
It was the first time anyone had done that. Josie felt her face warm, a flush of shyness coloring her cheeks. Josie was naturally reserved, not one for easy smiles. While people had called her cute before, Aiden and the others mostly praised her for being well-behaved. To them, that compliance seemed her greatest merit and the main reason they were willing to hang out with her.
Claire guided Josie to a seat. “If you’re feeling down, talk to me. I’ll be your sounding board—but only this once. No more getting upset over that online garbage, got it?”
“But I’m honestly not upset,” Josie insisted, a sudden warmth pricking her eyes. She continued, “I know everyone is waiting to see me make a fool of myself. But I believe my choice won’t end in a joke. Claire, I don’t have time for tears.”
Claire felt a surge of admiration. They’d noticed Josie two years ago when she started making waves on campus. Delilah had privately looked through her test papers and the relevant papers she published on the campus network.
Delilah had remarked, "Such promising talent, wasted in David’s hands.” So, when Delilah saw Josie at the hospital that day, she didn’t hesitate to recruit her.
The subsequent events, while unexpected, weren’t entirely surprising. Delilah had told Claire to keep an eye on Josie after the initial plagiarism scandal erupted online. Claire had questioned who the real plagiarist was back then. Now, knowing Josie and seeing the recent forum frenzy, Claire had good reason to suspect the plagiarism accusation was true. David had likely suppressed it to protect his reputation, probably even blaming Josie for speaking out. The injustice Josie must have endured was staggering.
Claire’s heart ached for her. She reached out and patted Josie’s shoulder. “You’re right. Wallowing is weak. Our job is to shove the facts down their throats. Now, come on, what don’t you understand? Ask away.”