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“There really are so many talented young people nowadays. Us old folks might be outdone by you youngsters any day
now.”
Claudine certainly knew these were just polite words.
She chatted with the professors, maintaining a poised and confident demeanor, and was able to respond to all the pro- fessional topics they discussed.
The professors’ gazes toward her grew increasingly appreciative.
Mitchell looked at Claudine, unable to suppress a sense of pride.
In recent years, few students had truly satisfied him. He hadn’t expected that the Claudine he had little hope for would surprise him so much.
What Claudine didn’t know was that, ever since she walked away, Damian had been watching her.
Claudine conversed with the professors with grace and composure.
She listened intently and passionately as the professors explained the antique.
When the professors gave her a thumbs-up, the slight shyness on her face and the sparkle in her eyes were unmistak- able.
The Claudine before him made it hard for Damian to look away.
Strangely enough, she wore no striking makeup today and was dressed plainly, yet this woman was more captivating than ever before.
At that moment, Damian felt as if he could see no one else.
Audrey had been chatting with several doctoral students.
As Adriana’s student, her status among them was unquestionable.
Besides, she had five years of work experience at the British Museum.
Just as Audrey was enjoying her sense of superiority, she noticed Damian’s gaze was fixed on Claudine.
That look in his eyes made Audrey feel uneasy.
It was the look a man had when he admired a woman.
Could Damian develop feelings for Claudine?
The thought flashed through Audrey’s mind, filling her with a sense of crisis.
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She would never allow such a thing to happen.
Five years ago, she left Damian and made a mistake. Now, she would never let go again!
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At that moment, one of the doctoral students in front of her also noticed Claudine-or rather, noticed Claudine stand- ing among the group of distinguished figures.
“Who is that? I’ve never seen her before. Look at how well she’s chatting with those professors-she seems to know them all quite well.”
Someone looked over and recognized Claudine.
Audrey let out a soft, dismissive laugh.
“She’s the wife of Bronzevale, the Barrette Group’s CEO. Of course she’s familiar with the professors.”
Audrey didn’t know that Claudine had already been accepted by Mitchell; she assumed Claudine was only here today because of Damian’s influence.
“She applied with me for Prof. Nixon’s doctoral program but wasn’t accepted.
She’s probably here today just to show her face in front of the professors, hoping to find a mentor by relying on her
‘Mrs. Barrette’ status.”
Audrey’s words were full of contempt for Claudine.
The others had fought their way through the fiercely competitive doctoral exams on their own merit, and they de- spised people like Claudine-those who lacked ability but used connections to step on ordinary people like them.
For a moment, Claudine became the object of all the students’ resentment.
Meanwhile, Audrey became the idol of these ordinary students.
After all, she had defeated Claudine, who “relied on connections”!
Listening to the compliments around her, Audrey couldn’t help but feel proud. She even believed she truly had the ability, and that, apart from the professors, no one here was more outstanding than her!
She looked at Claudine in the distance, making up her mind.
Since Dami was only staying married to Claudine for the sake of interests, then today, she would make Dami see that a woman like Claudine would only bring shame to him and the Barrette family.
Now, she was Adriana’s student-no longer the Audrey of five years ago.
Now, the one who deserved to stand by Damian’s side was her, Audrey!
The forum meeting soon began.
The first row was filled with renowned professors and some research institute investors.
Mitchell and Damian sat right there.
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And Claudine, sitting among those distinguished figures, stood out even more!
The other students saw this scene and became even more convinced of Audrey’s words.
Naturally, their resentment grew.
They had worked hard for over a decade to earn a ticket to this forum, yet could only sit in the last row, while Clau- dine, who supposedly knew nothing, could sit comfortably in the front row.
Students have always been the most cynical, the least willing to bow to social class.
Doctoral students are no exception!
They had already decided that, during the interactive session, they would make sure Claudine embarrassed herself.
Today’s forum was highly prestigious in the industry.
If Claudine made a fool of herself here, no matter her status, no professor would dare accept her in the future.
Audrey had previously seen Claudine’s thesis at Adriana’s place, so she knew exactly where Claudine’s weaknesses lay.
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