Chapter 294

294 Standing Tall
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“We can’t just sit here and let them slander you!”
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Sharon shot to her feet. “We should talk to the counselor, or even the president directly! We’ve all seen your thesis. Those data points came from nights you spent in the lab without sleep I was there! I saw how strong you how can they just accuse you of faking it? And Jandale were, how impressed the judges were. There’s no way you won by pulling strings!”
— Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
Scarlett reached out, tugging her hand to bring her back down. “Don’t rush. That’s exactly what they want for me to panic, to trip over myself. I won’t give them that satisfaction. The truth will come out eventually. We just need to let the bullet fly a little longer.”
Her voice was calm, her eyes steady. Whatever storm might come, she looked like she would never bend.
Sharon looked at her, the fire in her chest cooling, her pulse slowing.
“You’re right. I’m the one being rash. But… watching them smear you like this makes my blood boil.”
“I know.” Scarlett gave a small smile. “But with you here, I already feel much calmer.”
Just then, Scarlett’s phone rang. The screen lit up with a name: Calvin.
Her eyes flickered, hesitating for a moment before she picked up.
“Scarlett, it’s me.” Calvin’s voice carried age, tinged with guilt and unease.
“Professor Miller,” Scarlett answered evenly.
There was silence for a few seconds on the line before he finally spoke.
“I heard about what’s happening at the school. I’m sorry, Scarlett. Back then, I misjudged you. I forced you out of the lab, accused you unfairly. I wronged you.”
Scarlett’s grip tightened around the phone.
He had condemned her without listening, called her unfit for science, told her her intentions were impure. The words had stabbed deep, and even now the wounds still ached. But dragging them up again wouldn’t change anything.
“It’s in the past, Professor Miller.” Her tone was flat, emotionless.
“It isn’t,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I later learned Rebecca lied to me. I should never have treated you that way, I’ve felt guilty ever since, wanted to apologize but never dared.
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This time, it’s clear someone’s working against you. I know you. You’d never take shortcuts. Let me help. I’ve been at the university a long time, I have connections. I can find out who’s behind this and clear your name.”
Scarlett listened quietly, a swirl of feelings moving beneath her still face.
He had once been her most respected mentor. His recognition had meant everything. But the hurt he’d caused had been real, too.
After a pause, she said softly, “Thank you, Professor Miller. But I can handle this on my own. I won’t trouble you.”
Calvin seemed taken aback. “Scarlett, I know you’re still angry with me, but I’m sincere. You’re just one young woman against all this pressure. Let me ”
“Professor Miller.” She cut him off, her voice still calm, but distant now.
“The past doesn’t need to be dredged up. As for the present – I believe the clean will remain clean, the guilty will bear their own weight. Whoever did this will face the consequences.”
“And that includes you.”
Before he could reply, she hung up.
Laying the phone aside, Scarlett leaned back, closing her eyes. Her lashes cast long shadows across her cheeks.
Sharon’s voice came tentative. “That was Professor Miller? What did he want?”
Scarlett opened her eyes again, her calm restored. “He wants to investigate for me. And… he wants forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness?” Sharon frowned. “After what he did? He threw you out, humiliated you. Now he realizes he was wrong? Too late.”
Scarlett shook her head gently. “Some wounds don’t heal with a single apology.”
Sharon nodded slowly, seeing the determination in her friend’s eyes. “You’re right. Then what
now?”
Scarlett stood, walking to the window. Beyond the glass, the city lights gleamed. Her eyes shone just as bright.
“We do what we’ve always done. Tomorrow I’ll go to campus, defend my thesis, run my experiments. The more they want me to fall, the straighter I’ll stand.”
Her words weren’t loud, but the quiet strength in them was undeniable, Sharon felt her heart
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Yes. This was the Scarlett she knew. Strong. Steady. Facing the storm without ever bowing her
head.
Send Gifts
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