Chapter 294
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The camera captured Hannah’s horrifically distorted face in full .
Her eyes bulged grotesquely , her mouth twisted in a snarl , teeth bared and clenched to the point of cracking , the muscles in her cheeks spasming uncontrollably — she looked like a demon straight out of hell , thirsting to devour anyone in her path .
The viewers were so startled by the horrific scene that they almost flung their phones out of their hands .
Their gossipy curiosity burning , they couldn’t tear their eyes away from the screen , afraid they’d miss even a second of the drama .
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Watching the figure charge at her , Aria curled her lips in a derisive smirk . With lightning reflexes , she pivoted sideways , and in a flash , her hand shot out . to clamp onto Hannah’s arm like a vice .
With a deft twist , she yanked Hannah backward while delivering a sharp kick to the back of her knee .
Hannah let out a piercing scream of excruciating pain and dropped heavily to one knee , a dull thud echoing through the room .
She knelt there in utter humiliation , her disheveled state exposed for all the Mandino University students to see .
Hannah , burning with humiliation , struggled to rise , but the iron grip on her shoulder pinned her down .
Hannah shrieked , her voice tight with panic , “ Aria ! This is theft – plain and simple ! Give me back my laptop ! ”
‘ I deleted the evidence ages ago . There’s no need to panic . But if Aria dared to bring the laptop here , she must’ve recovered the data ! ‘ Hannah thought .
At the thought , her face turned beet red as a wave of terror crashed over her .
Hannah tried to calm down and think of a solution , but her mind was a scrambled mess – she couldn’t think straight .
Desperate , she turned to Liam with pleading eyes and begged , “ Liam , please , help me ! ”
Liam snapped out of his shock , hesitation flickering across his face as he hurried over in quick , cautious steps . “ Aria , ” he pleaded , “ let her go first . ”
One was his ex – wife , the other his current girlfriend – Liam found himself torn between them .
With Aria pinning Hannah down in such a humiliating state , her embarrassment became his as well .
Liam reached for Hannah , but his hand was abruptly stopped mid – motion .
He looked up and met a pair of piercing , narrow eyes , cold and unfeeling .
“ Mr. Cole , if you help Ms. Gibson , who’s guilty of plagiarism , does that mean you’re involved too ? ” His voice was cool and detached , with an unmistakable threat lingering in the final syllables .
He meant helping Hannah made Liam an accomplice .
‘ Is Owen Shaw reminding me , or is this a warning ? ‘ Liam wondered , his heart skipping a beat .
Liam and Owen were barely acquainted , though they had attended the same high school .
Liam often heard others mention Owen .
Owen , an academic ace and a loner , was always at the top of his class and ultimately became Mandino City’s SAT top scorer .
Aloof and emotionally reserved , he was nicknamed the unflappable academic ace for his unshakable composure .
He rarely showed up at social events , yet his legend spread far and wide .
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The Shaw family was already legendary in Mandino City , let alone their deeply rooted ancestral lineage .
Liam couldn’t figure out why someone of awus would help Aria , a divorcee , time and again .
Now wasn’t the time to dwell on that .
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In that split second , Liam made his decision . He wrenched his hand free from Owen’s grip , turned to Hannah , and said firmly , “ Hannah , admit your mistake and apologize . Then you can start over . ”
Liam stared intently at Hannah , searching her face for even a hint of regret – but found none .
“ Liam , I can explain , I … ” Hannah pleaded , her voice trembling .
Liam cut Hannah off sharply , his face etched with disappointment . “ Enough ! ”
He just couldn’t understand – why was Hannah still trying to quibble , even now ?
Liam had never regretted his choices – until now . Standing amid the chaos and uproar , he was suddenly overwhelmed with remorse .
Since childhood , he had been determined to become a doctor – someone who would serve his country and protect its people .
He had always thought Hannah was just like him , sharing the same pure aspirations .
But reality disappointed him again and again , constantly shattering his idealized view of Hannah .
There was no evidence about the notes incident , so when she explained , he believed her .
But this time ? With undeniable evidence staring her in the face , she still refused to admit it – not a trace of remorse showed on her face .
A wave of crushing exhaustion washed over Liam , leaving him so drained he could barely catch his breath .
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