Chapter 141 Dead Weight
Chapter 141 Dead Weight
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“She stole Pandora’s research paper on purpose and showed it to me,” Nelson said bitterly, letting out a self–deprecating chuckle.
“I was just so desperate for talent at the time–desperate for help. I thought it was fate handing me a promising young mind to mentor. I secretly vowed that I would nurture her well.
“But what was the end result? She trampled over her classmates to get ahead, hurt Pandora without an ounce of remorse, and showed not a shred of decency!”
Pandora quickly stepped forward to hold his arm.
“Professor, please, you just had heart bypass surgery. You need to calm down.”
Nelson looked at Byron, eyes sharp with emotion.
“See this? This is what a good student looks like. Not only does she excel academically, but she respects her professor too.
“But Emma? When I found out she plagiarized, I was still hoping she’d come clean and show some remorse. I was willing to give her another chance.”
“And what did she do? She refused to admit it, and then, in a fit of anger, insulted me!
“I might not have officially accepted her as my assistant yet, but I’m still a professor, for heaven’s sake.
“She’s never shown me any respect. A student like her doesn’t belong at Riverview University.”
He paused, then continued, each word laced with fire, “I expelled her and called the police because she crossed a line that should never be crossed.”
Every word he spoke dripped with anger.
Anyone who felt wrongly accused might have lashed out or tried to defend themselves.
But Emma remained still.
So still, in fact, her eyes barely moved.
She stood there like a puppet, lifeless and hollow.
Byron didn’t rebut Nelson immediately. He waited until Nelson’s breathing settled before speaking.
He said calmly, “Professor Clem, with all due respect, the evidence you’ve presented isn’t strong enough to justify expulsion or legal action.
“And just so you know, even if the police were to get involved, they would likely come to the same
conclusion.
“Here at our university, we’re educators first. If this student truly has been wronged, do you think you’ll be able to live with that regret later?”
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Chapter 141 Dead Weight
Nelson, still fuming, nearly exploded at the suggestion.
He clenched his teeth and growled, “Regret? You think I’d regret this?
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“If someone like her turns out to be innocent, I’ll go live on camera and apologize to her in public! Hell, I will even bow to her.”
Bang!
The office door was suddenly kicked open with such force that it startled everyone.
Nelson shuddered at the loud noise.
Everyone turned toward the source of it.
The security guards outside yelled in a panic.
“Sorry, Chancellor! We couldn’t stop her!”
Byron had been angry, his headache pulsing with every word from Nelson. Now, he looked ready to explode.
“What are you-
But when he saw who stood in the doorway, he froze.
Alice stood there in black athletic wear, a baseball cap pulled low over her face.
Her eyes were sharp, her expression fierce–like a warrior stepping into battle.
At that moment, the entire room fell silent.
It was like the air had been sucked out, and all that remained was a roomful of stunned, breathless people.
No one dared to speak up.
Alice walked in slowly and slammed the door shut behind her with one firm kick.
“Emma.”
She spotted the young woman sitting blankly in the corner and pulled out a small pill from her pocket, gently placing it into her mouth.
The change was instant. Emma jolted like she’d been brought back from a trance.
She blinked, disoriented, and then looked up at Alice.
“M–Ms. Spencer,” she stammered
The moment she spoke, all her bottled–up emotion came spilling out. Tears welled in her eyes, and though she tried to hold them back, it was no use.
Feeling embarrassed, she quickly wiped at her face, trying to regain control.
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Chapter 141 Dead Weight
She begged softly, “Please, don’t tell my parents.
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“I know I have no right to ask you to look after them, but if they ever get into trouble, I hope you’ll help them just a little. I’ll repay you in my next life–1 swear.”
She began to bow, but Alice grabbed her arm and kept her upright.
“I already know what happened,” Alice said sharply. “And you’re ready to throw away your life over this? How dare you embarrass me like that!”
Emma sobbed harder. “I’m sorry, Ms. Spencer.”
She knew she’d made a mess of things. Her future was ruined, and she might’ve even dragged Alice’s lab down with her.
She felt like dead weight.
Dying seemed like the only way to clear her name and repay Alice for her kindness.
“Look at me.”
Alice’s expression turned grim, her grip tight as she pulled Emma’s arm again.
Emma, who had already given up on living, froze for a moment before she finally lifted her eyes. Alice’s eyes were steady, full of power and purpose. Her very presence radiated strength.
Just standing near her made Emma feel like she could breathe again–like she still had a future. Emma didn’t know why, but suddenly, her urge to end it all seemed foolish.
Why let a single cruel person destroy her entire life?
She wanted to slap herself to wake herself up.
“Ms. Spencer, I—”
“That’s enough,” Alice cut her off. “Let me handle the rest.”
Then, she turned, placing herself protectively between Emma and everyone else in the room.
