Chapter 436

The person who had just spoken went silent, words caught in their throat.
Anastasia was about to leave after speaking, but at that moment, someone entered the room.
“Lauren!”
A ripple of excitement swept through the study hall.
It was Lauren herself.
Anastasia narrowed her eyes.
“Lauren, you’re here! We’ve been waiting for you forever!”
A group of students immediately flocked around Lauren, their faces glowing with admiration.
Lauren’s expression remained calm and detached as she nodded to everyone. “Dr. Evert asked me to bring you all to his office. He wants to discuss something.”
Only then did she seem to notice Anastasia, pausing for a beat before adding, “Anastasia, you should come too. Dr. Evert said he wants to see you.”
Dr. Evert-Otto Evert-was the Associate Dean of the Global Harmony Medical Institute, and also Lauren’s mentor.
At once, the others turned to look at Anastasia, their gazes a mix of schadenfreude and pity.
Everyone knew Dr. Evert fiercely protected his favorites, and Lauren was at the top of that list. Anastasia had publicly embarrassed Lauren just yesterday; now, Dr. Evert had specifically asked to see her. It didn’t take a genius to figure out this wasn’t going to end well.
Anastasia’s face remained neutral. “Sure.”
Ten minutes later, Anastasia stood before Dr. Evert.
He was in his late forties or early fifties, glasses perched on his nose, stern and imposing a man who radiated authority.
But when he saw Lauren, his expression softened, just a bit. “You’re here.”
Lauren nodded respectfully. “Professor.” The most update n0vels are published on.net
The others chimed in, “Dr. Evert.”
He nodded to them before turning his sharp gaze on Anastasia.
“So, you’re the new arrival-Anastasia, is that right?”
His tone was cool, his eyes assessing her in that harsh, unyielding way that could make anyone squirm.
But Anastasia didn’t so much as flinch. After years around someone like Harrison, this sort of intimidation barely registered.
“Yes, Dr. Evert,” she replied evenly, her composure unruffled.
Dr. Evert’s displeasure was plain. He gave a cold, dismissive grunt and, in front of everyone, said bluntly-
“I hear you scored a perfect hundred on your entrance exam, and now you’ve let it go to your head-you think you’re above even Lauren, the Harmony.” for how you really got that score, won’t pursue it, nor will I disturb Dr. Lockwood in Riverton. But you know very well how those results came about.”
top student at Global duren, the
“And let me remind you-one of our core values here is humility and respect among colleagues I expect you to remember that. I don’t want torer
to see a repeat of yesterday’s behavior.”
The room went silent. No one dared speak; instead, they traded glances, some gleeful, some sympathetic.
ét
It was clear Dr. Evert had it out for her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have all but accused her of cheating right in front of everyone, and warned her not to challenge Lauren again.
Most people, put on the spot like this, would have been mortified, maybe even angry at the very least, they’d have kept their heads down and taken the lecture. But Anastasia wasn’t most people.
She lifted her gaze to meet Dr. Evert’s icy stare and spoke directly, her voice steady.
“I have two questions.”
“First, Dr. Evert, did you personally witness me cheating? Or do you have any evidence?”
“If you have proof, please present it. If you don’t, isn’t it inappropriate for an associate dean to make baseless accusations and jump to conclusions?”
“Second, what exactly did I do wrong yesterday? Was it saying that I’m Cecilia’s daughter? That’s simply the truth-why shouldn’t I say it?”
“Or is the real issue that your favorite student was embarrassed, so now you’re using your authority to settle a personal score and publicly reprimand me?”