David pounded his chest in frustration. โI saw her at Leoโs funeral, standing next to Sean. Itโs clear sheโs already trying to get in with the Reedshaw family!โ
โSean.โ Aidenโs voice dropped, and anger flashed across his face.
โHeโs always had it out for me. Helping Josie is just his way of using her to get back at me.โ
David nodded.
โIโm glad you understand. I know youโve always thought Josie was obedient and well-behaved, defending her in front of me countless times. But now you can seeโit was all just a facade.
โFrom now on, donโt waste any more energy on her. I heard sheโs entering the competition too. Sheโs probably gotten too comfortable winning with us and now thinks sheโs invincible.
โEven though beating her wouldnโt feel like much of an achievement, I hope this time your topic stands out and leaves her far behind, just so she can see where she stands.
โThe success she had before came from the whole team, not just her. If she thinks she can make a name for herself in a less popular field, sheโs just fooling herself.โ
โI understand, Professor.โ Aiden nodded. โIโll teach her a lesson she wonโt forget. Sheโll regret crossing us.โ
David gave a satisfied nod.
โGood. And when you head downstairs, remind the othersโdonโt get involved with her again. Sheโs clearly overestimating herself, trying to climb the Reedshaw family ladder while completely disregarding me.
โIโll show her exactly how far she can get.โ
โGot it.โ Aidenโs face was serious as he left Davidโs office.
Natalie jogged up to him. โAiden, is the professor okay? He seemed really angry.โ
โHeโs fine.โ Aiden glanced at Natalie.
โYou saw how the professor feels. You know whatโs right and wrong. Stay focused, donโt stir up trouble. Thereโs a lot of work in the lab, so step up and help more.โ
Natalie inwardly grumbled. โWhy should I do all the work? Are the other five people dead?โ
Outwardly, she beamed. โGot it, Aiden. Iโll be good, wonโt cause any trouble. Iโm going to get to work now.โ
She grabbed a broom and started cleaning, thinking about how she still needed to call Kyle back. She wasnโt about to do everything herself.
Seeing Natalie acting so obedient, Aiden felt a little better. He thought, โWhy couldnโt Josie just be like this?
โWell, Iโll make sure she learns a lesson, starting with this competition.โ
In the evening, Zoey and the others hurried back to the dorm.
โJosie, how are you?โ Allison grabbed Josie. โThat jerk Vincent didnโt hurt you, did he?โ
Josie was a little surprised. โYou guys know already?โ
โOf course we do! Itโs all over the school forumโyour video confronting Vincent in public. Honestly, you looked so cool, like a totally different person!โ
Adeline could barely believe it. When did Josie become so sharp-tongued? It is honestly shocking!
โButโฆโ Zoey looked concerned. โThereโs a lot of negativity online. People are spreading rumors about you.โ
That was why they rushed backโthey were worried Josie might be upset after seeing the posts.
Josie had been studying all afternoon and hadnโt had time to check the internet.
โWhat rumors? Are they saying I only got into Davidโs team thanks to the senior students, and that I had to flatter them to stay?โ
They all nodded in agreement.
โHave you seen the posts already?โ Zoey asked, looking at her with concern.
Josie shook her head.
She hadnโt seen anything online. She was just reminded of the rumors that had started in her previous life. Theyโd resurfaced a few years later, just before she was about to graduate from graduate school.
At that time, the senior students had started to see her in a new light, and even David had approved of her graduate thesis. She had hoped it would help improve her internship evaluation, but just then, rumors about her exploded online.
Years later, she discovered that it had all been orchestrated by Natalie.