Chapter 158: Don’t Humiliate Yourself

Evan had yet to respond when Yaron stood up, his face filled with distress. “Sierra, don’t be like this. I know you hold a grudge against me, but this isn’t something to joke about.”

He deliberately left his words vague, and as expected, it immediately sparked speculation. Reporters were guessing, and viewers watching the live broadcast were abuzz with discussion.

“What’s going on here? Why do I feel like there’s some drama unfolding? Can someone explain?”

“Yeah, why does it sound like there’s something between Dr. Tucker and Sierra?”

“I’m from Northwind University. I can confirm. Everyone at Northwind knew that Sierra used to like Yaron, but he never liked her. He was into her sister.”

“So, is this a case of love turning into hate? A desperate attempt to get attention?”

“No way. How does she even dare? She actually went this far!”

“I just want to know, does my idol know about this? Does Mr. Yeager know what kind of person his girlfriend is?”

“Who is Mr. Yeager?”

“You don’t know Mr. Yeager?! Here’s his picture.”

“Oh my! This is insane! But seriously, if she has Mr. Yeager, why would she even look at Dr. Tucker? No offense to Dr. Tucker, but you get what I mean.”

“Yeah, we get it! Honestly, after seeing Mr. Yeager, no other man even registers anymore, not even the three Xander brothers!”

“Same here!”

The online discussion had completely derailed, its extent unknown. Meanwhile, the event's atmosphere was thick with gossip.

Sierra watched Yaron’s performance coldly. “Stop speaking in half-truths, as if there’s something between us. Sorry, but to me, you’re nothing more than a random passerby. Please don’t insert yourself into my story. I’m not targeting anyone today. I’m just here to seek justice for myself.”

“What do you mean? What justice?” Evan couldn’t help but ask.

Sierra glanced at him. “Good question! What justice? I just want to know why my research, my ideas, suddenly became yours! Mr. Evan, tell me, should I not demand justice for that?”

Her words sent shockwaves through the room. Both the live audience and online viewers erupted.

“Did I hear that right? Is something wrong with my ears?”

“Wait, is this really happening? I thought she was just accusing Evan of plagiarism in general, but she’s saying he stole her work?”

“This is ridiculous! Sure, she gained some fans recently and showed she has some skills, but how could she possibly come up with such groundbreaking research?”

“Exactly! Even Yaron, a PhD candidate, is just an assistant. Only a genius like Evan could have accomplished this!”

The internet was in chaos, and the venue was just as lively. All eyes turned to Sierra, first in shock, then in doubt.

Evan froze for a moment before speaking in disbelief. “Sierra, are you insane?”

He knew she resented them, but to go this far and falsely accuse him was beyond irrational.

“Sierra, let’s handle family matters in private. Don’t make a scene,” Bradley interjected.

He was genuinely worried for Sierra. This was a live broadcast, and causing a commotion would only backfire on her.

Public opinion online was terrifying. There was no way a single woman could withstand it.

With that in mind, Bradley quickly stepped forward, trying to pull Sierra aside. “Listen to me. Don’t humiliate yourself.”

Sierra avoided his grasp. “I’m not the one humiliating myself. You are.”

Then, she looked toward Yaron on stage. “Yaron, do you have nothing to say?”

Yaron was panicking inside, but he didn’t show it. Instead, he put on a pained expression. “Sierra, stop this. Can’t we talk about this privately? You’re putting us all in a difficult position.”

At that moment, Franklin and Eleanor also stepped forward. Denise, struggling to stand, paled as she spoke. “Sierra, I know you blame me for taking everything from you, but you can’t keep making mistakes! Hate me, resent me, do whatever you want to me, but Evan and the others have never wronged you. Please, stop.”

Her words immediately won over a wave of sympathy. As Sierra gained attention, her past with the Xander family had also been dug up. No one knew where she had come from, but compared to the quiet and supposedly scandal-ridden Sierra, Denise was clearly the more likable one.