David pounded his chest in frustration. “I saw her at Leo’s funeral, standing next to Sean. It’s clear she’s already trying to get in with the Reedshaw family!”
“Sean.” Aiden’s voice dropped, and anger flashed across his face.
“He’s always had it out for me. Helping Josie is just his way of using her to get back at me.”
David nodded.
“I’m glad you understand. I know you’ve always thought Josie was obedient and well–behaved, defending her in front of me countless times. But now you can see–it was all just a facade.
“From now on, don’t waste any more energy on her. I heard she’s entering the competition too. She’s probably gotten too comfortable winning with us and now thinks she’s invincible.
“Even though beating her wouldn’t 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.
“The 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, she’s just fooling herself.”
“I understand, Professor.” Aiden nodded. “I’ll teach her a lesson she won’t forget. She’ll regret crossing us.”
David gave a satisfied nod.
“Good. And when you head downstairs, remind the others—don’t get involved with her again. She’s clearly overestimating herself, trying to climb the Reedshaw family ladder while completely disregarding me.
“I’ll show her exactly how far she can get.”
“Got it.” Aiden’s face was serious as he left David’s office.
Natalie jogged up to him. “Aiden, is the professor okay? He seemed really angry.”
“He’s fine.” Aiden glanced at Natalie.
“You saw how the professor feels. You know what’s right and wrong. Stay focused, don’t stir up trouble. There’s a lot of work in the lab, so step up and help more.”
Natalie inwardly grumbled. ‘Why should I do all the work? Are the other five people dead?‘
Outwardly, she beamed. “Got it, Aiden. I’ll be good, won’t cause any trouble. I’m going to get to work now.”
She grabbed a broom and started cleaning, thinking about how she still needed to call Kyle back. She wasn’t about to do everything herself.
Seeing Natalie acting so obedient, Aiden felt a little better. He thought, ‘Why couldn’t Josie just be like this?
‘Well, I’ll make sure she learns a lesson, starting with this competition
In the evening, Zoey and the others hurried back to the dorm.
“Josie, how are you?” Allison grabbed Josie. “That jerk Vincent didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Josie was a little surprised. “You guys know already?”
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11:59 Tue, 26 AugPA.
Chapter 53
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“Of course we do! It’s all over the school forum–your video confronting Vincent in public. Honestly, you looked so cool. like a totally different person!”
Adeline could barely believe it. When did Josie become so sharp–tongued? It is honestly shocking!
“But…” Zoey looked concerned. “There’s a lot of negativity online. People are spreading rumors about you.”
That was why they rushed back–they were worried Josie might be upset after seeing the posts.
Josie had been studying all afternoon and hadn’t had time to check the internet.
“What rumors? Are they saying I only got into David’s team thanks to the senior students, and that I had to flatter them to stay?”
They all nodded in agreement.
“Have you seen the posts already?” Zoey asked, looking at her with concern.
Josie shook her head.
She hadn’t seen anything online. She was just reminded of the rumors that had started in her previous life. They’d 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.
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