Josie couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Whether it was her previous life or this one, David always blindly took Natalie’s side, no matter what.
‘Did he ever even stop to think if I wanted to listen to him? What right does he have to tell me what to do?‘ Josie thought, her irritation simmering.
Josie said, “Whether Natalie plagiarized or not, I trust the school will get to the bottom of it.
“As for whether she ever trashed me online, or if any of this has anything to do with her, I honestly have no idea.”
She fixed David with a cool, indifferent stare. “Professor Lawson, asking me to explain something I don’t even know about is really too much.
“If I don’t have the facts, how am I supposed to explain anything?
“All I want is for the school to give me a fair and just investigation. After all, a girl’s reputation is everything, whether it’s about plagiarism or being falsely accused.
“I’m sure Natalie wouldn’t want to be stuck with this hanging over her head forever, either.”
David’s face turned ashen with anger. He never expected Josie to be so determined to get to the bottom of things.
He asked, “So, you’re really insisting that Natalie stole your paper?
“If the investigation says otherwise, are you willing to stand before the whole school and apologize to her?
“If not, don’t even think about dragging Natalie’s name through the mud!”
Josie shook her head. “I’ve never once said she plagiarized my paper, just like I wasn’t the one who posted those accusations about her online.
“All I’m asking for is a chance to get the facts straight. Professor Lawson, why are you going out of your way to block this investigation? David Lawson
“If we just handle things openly and find out who’s really behind all this, the truth would come out easily. Why does it have to be so hard?”
The moment Josie finished, every eye in the room swung to David.
Delilah shot him a cold, sarcastic glare. “Don’t tell me you’re actually scared, David.”
The head of the student affairs office, clearly worried the two professors might start arguing, quickly stepped in.
He said, “This situation has dragged on long enough. The school does need to step in and investigate thoroughly.
“We need to clear the names and protect the reputations of both students, and also restore order to our campus online community.
“Professor Lawson, I think it’s best if we let the school handle this. I promise no student will be wrongfully accused, and both sides will get a fair outcome.”
David glanced around the room and let out a heavy sigh.
He said, “Mr. Shepherd, it’s not that I refuse to investigate.
“It’s just that Natalie has already developed depression because of all the online drama. This latest blow has left her in a
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“I’m honestly worried that if word of the investigation spreads, people who don’t know the truth will just assume she plagiarized.
“That could push her over the edge. She might do something reckless.
“You have to believe me. I know my students.
“With Natalie’s talent and knowledge, she would never need to copy from someone less capable than her. I’ve read both
papers.
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“Even though the topics are the same, the ideas and approaches are completely different. I’ll vouch for her as her professor. She absolutely did not plagiarize.”
Delilah let out a cold, mocking laugh.
“Oh, so now you’re vouching for her with your professor title? How impressive,” she sneered while pulling the furious, red- eyed Josie behind her.
She asked, “Do you even deserve to call yourself a professor? Just because Natalie is your student, does that mean Josie never was?
“You’re so worried Natalie might be misunderstood and do something drastic because of this.
“But have you ever thought about the fact that the plagiarism scandal is already out there, and Josie is the one who left the
team?
“If you don’t get to the bottom of this, isn’t she the one everyone will misunderstand?
“Aren’t you worried that she might end up hurt, upset, maybe even pushed to do something reckless? Or is it that you’ve never once cared about how she feels?
“They were both your students. So why is it that in your eyes, only Natalie’s life matters, while Josie’s reputation and even her life are worth nothing at all?”
As her accusations echoed, everyone in the room flushed with anger, Even Isaiah Shepherd’s brow furrowed tightly.
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