Chapter 16 Shattered Illusions

But bso /bwhat?

This time, Professor Miller had only let Scarlett step in because he wanted to protect Reba–otherwise, it would’ve been Reba in the spotlight, and she would’ve done even better than Scarlett.

It’s just that Reba never defended herself. She only ever lifted Scarlett up.

She was too kind.

And in truth, Reba did it hoping he would see the good in Scarlett and speak well of her in front of their parents.

Even if he didn’t like it, he couldn’t bear to let Reba feel upset. That was the only reason he’d softened his tone toward Scarlett.

“Alright, stop standing around. Go with Professor Miller back to campus,” he said. “And when you get back, treat Reba properly. I better not hear about you acting out again.”

Reba quickly grabbed Stanley’s arm.

“Stanley, don’t say that. Scarlett isn’t making things hard for me. She’s just been dealing with some stufftely and hasn’t been in a good mood.”

Everyone watching looked even more amused.

So the big public breakup with the family had only been for attention? Just topete with the real heiress?

With someone like that, no matter how skilled they might be, no one would dare trust them easily.

What if she used her needles to turn people into pawns for her own publicity?

It might be fine with ordinary folks, but if it happened to a respected elder, it could ruin their entire reputation.

Sean wasn’t having it.

“Wow. You sure are polite, huh? Ms. Scarlett hasn’t even said a word, but you’re out here pping your lips nonstop. What is it, some kind of Joyner family tradition to talk over her? All these righteous–sounding words–but when she went to the surgery wing to get her injuries treated, I didn’t see you show any concern.”

Stanley had been burning with anger after Sean’s jab, but when he heard the words “injuries treated,” an image shed in his mind–Scarlett, covered in blood on the day she broke off ties with the family.

And suddenly-

An odd wave of panic and unease rose in his chest.

“I…”

????

judge anyone belse/bb./bb” /b

That bwas /ba direct shot at Reba’s upbringing.

Stanley’s bface /bdarkened. Just as he was about to snap back, Reba held him back.

“Stanleyb, /bdon’t fight. I’m fine.”

Then she turned tearfully to Sean.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted Scarlett to get back to her normal studies and life. I wasn’t thinking about anything else.”

She even wiped at her tears.

Lookingpletely wronged but determined to say nothing more.

Sean let out a coldugh, ready to go to war with the pretentious scum–when Calvin cut in first.

“This is Mr. Grayson’s hospital room. Let’s keep personal matters out of it. Scarlett,e with me to the director’s office. We’ll discuss the next steps for treatment.”

He’d made up his mind.

Scarlett had made a public impression today, and that had indirectly restored his reputation too.

As her teacher–someone who believed in the role of mentorship–he was willing to give her another

chance.

Scarlett looked at him, studied his self–righteous face, and suddenly smiled.

“Professor Miller, since I’ve already left theb, I won’t waste any more of your time learning the second half of the dry needling method.”

Her smile grew colder.

“And by the way, the dose of salvia root in your miracle drug is far too high. Use with caution.”

At those words, Calvin’s face instantly went pale.

Before anyone else could react, Grayson suddenly smacked the hospital bed.

“ording to that herb interaction chart, salvia and astragalus root are ipatible!”

He finally understood.

Even before Professor Miller arrived, he hadn’t been fully conscious, but he’d still been aware of the world

around him.

But after taking that drug, his mind had turned hazy, like his soul was ready to leave his body.

“Professor Miller, were you trying to kill me?!”

bScarlett /bbpressed /bdown on his shoulder.

b“/bYou bjust /bbrecovered/b. Don’t get worked up.”

Grayson had no choice but to lie back downb, /bstill muttering curses.

“Yourb’s miracle drug clearly hasn’t been properly tested, and you dared give it to me? I’m getting awyer. I’m suing you!”

The director looked on in shock and turned to Calvin.

But Calvin had alreadyposed himself, his face nk in the face of insults and usations.

“My conscience is clear. After all, it’s my own student using me–no matter how I defend myself, no one would believe me.”

Reba’s voice cracked with a sob.

“Professor… I didn’t expect that a doctor with such integrity, someone who saves lives, would be repaid with online abuse. This is awful…”

“What others say about me is their karma, not mine. Reba,e. We’re going back.”

“Okay.” Reba tugged on Stanley’s sleeve. “Stanley, the professor’s in a bad mood. Can you take us back?”

Stanley finally came back to himself, then cast another suspicious nce at Scarlett.

Right now, she looked perfectly fine–definitely not like someone seriously injured and needing medical

attention.

So it was just like before.

Pretending to be pitiful to fool everyone, just to take things away from Reba.

“Sure. No problem.”

He looked away.

But the memory of that day when she broke ties with the family still lingered in his mind–refusing to fade.

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