Adeline’s cheeks were a little hot. After switching off the speaker, she chatted with Joseph for a few more minutes before finally hanging up.

Later that night, when everyone got back to the dorm and heard the news, they were all genuinely happy for Adeline and celebrated with her.

But in the end, they didn’t go out for dinner. It was already dark, and Josie didn’t feel like heading out anymore.

Plus, Zoey hade back with a bunch of homemade food from her family, so everyone just huddled up in the dorm and enjoyed a cozy meal together.

Later that night, after finishing her practice set, Josie was just about to turn off the lights and go to sleep when she got a call from Delh.

“Professor Wilcourt?” Josie nced at the clock. It was almost midnight.

‘Why would Professor Wilcourt be calling me at this hour?‘ she wondered.

Delh yawned on the other end.

She said, “Just remembered something. Be at the chapel on campus tomorrow at ten sharp.

Don’t bete.”

The next morning, Josie was up bright and early at eight.

She grabbed breakfast for her still–sleeping roommates from the cafeteria, ate while flipping through her acupuncture textbook, and then slowly made her way to the chapel.

Before she stepped inside, she ran right into David at the door.

Josie took a half–step back. “Professor Lawson!”

Even though she absolutely loathed him, she knew she couldn’t drag him off his pedestal just

yet.

For now, she had no choice but to put on a respectful front.

When David saw her, his brow furrowed. “Who told you toe here?”

But before Josie could answer, he just walked right past her. “Well, you’re here now, so that saves the Academic Affairs Office from having to send out a notice.”

That left Josie totally baffled. ‘What kind of situation needs the Academic Affairs Office to send out a notice?‘ she wondered.

12:18 Tue, 26 Aug

With a nervous look on her face, Josie stepped into the chapel.

??? 17%_

To her surprise, there were a bunch of professors gathered inside. Josie had a sharp memory, and since it had only been a few days, she recognized them instantly.

These were the judges from the on–campuspetition.

Not just the first round judges, but also the ones from the second round and the final selection were all there.

Josie wondered, ‘Are they having a meeting to decide thepetition awards? But if that’s the case, why am I the only one who got called in?‘

Still confused, Josie was waved over by Delh, who patted the seat next to her for her to sit down.

“Don’t be nervous,” Delh said, “It’s just a routine inquiry. Whatever the professors ask, just tell the truth.”

Delh wasn’t worried about what might happen today at all. She knew Josie wasn’t the kind of person to do anything wrong.

“Okay,” Josie nodded, feeling much calmer thanks to Delh’s reassurance.

Before long, Carmen Becker from the Academic Affairs Office stepped up to the podium.

She said, “Everyone, settle down, please. The public investigation into Professor Wilcourt’s alleged teaching vitions will now begin.

“First, we’ll hear from the user, Professor Lawson, who will present his evidence.”

As soon as Carmen finished speaking, Josie was stunned. “Professor?”

Delh said calmly, “Don’t worry. This was my idea. I’ve just been swampedtely. When the school called about investigating this, I honestly didn’t have time to deal with them.

“And with all the drama over thepetition scores…”

“So I figured, why not just settle everything at once? That way, certain people can stop acting so full of themselves, jumping around like fleas, and making a fuss. It’s just too much.”

As she spoke, Delh gave Josie’s hand a reassuring pat, letting her know there was nothing to worry about.

Of course, the “flea” Delh was talking about was David.

David strutted up to the podium as he grabbed the microphone and started speaking in a

pompous tone.

12:18 Tue, 26 Aug P

17%

He dered, “This all began when Josie recently published a paper in a top medical journal.

“I’ve read the original draft, and honestly, it was nowhere close to being publishable.

“I have every reason to believe that Professor Wilcourt actually wrote the paper and published it under her student’s name, just to make herself look like a qualified educator!”