CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: SHE WAS ONCE PROFESSOR TRUMAN’S MOST PRIZED DISCIPLE

When Vincent Hawthorne proposed to her, he took out a six-carat sapphire ring, claiming it was his mother’s heirloom, now to be passed on to her, his daughter-in-law.

At that moment, Tanya Sinclair was so moved that she cried tears of joy, not because of the ring’s expense, but because she thought Mother Hawthorne genuinely accepted and recognized her as a daughter-in-law.

Unexpectedly, once the wedding ended and the guests had left, Mother Hawthorne personally took the ring back.

’Tanya, this wedding ring is too valuable for you to wear. Let me keep it safe. Here, you can wear this one; it also looks nice and suits you better. I personally selected it for you,’ said Mother Hawthorne, handing her the ring she wore now.

Later, one night, when she couldn’t sleep, she went downstairs for a walk and accidentally overheard Mother Hawthorne and Yvonne Hawthorne chatting in the pavilion.

Yvonne was wearing that enormous sapphire ring, happily taking pictures.

’Mom, you’re so good to me. This ring is so beautiful. It’s mine now, and I’m going to wear it every day!’

’Don’t let your sister-in-law see it.’

Yvonne rolled her eyes, ’What if she does? She can’t seriously think that a woman of her lowly background deserves such an expensive ring, can she? You only let her wear it to the wedding to keep up appearances. By the way, Mom, have you given her the free promotional ring that came with one of your purchases?’

’I did. I told her I carefully chose it for her, so don’t let it slip.’

While admiring her gem ring, Yvonne sarcastically remarked, ’Ha, Tanya Sinclair is only worthy of that kind of cheap junk. Having married my brother, she should be thanking her lucky stars.’

...

Tanya snapped back from her memories and coldly tossed the ring into the trash can.

In front of her was the golden sign of Northwood University, her alma mater.

Tanya looked up at it, her heart a tumult of emotions.

Seven years...

She watched the students entering and leaving through the campus gate, each one full of youthful ambition, and it reminded Tanya of her own past, dearly missed.

She once had grand aspirations too, but later wasted them for a man...

Tanya’s expression dimmed.

The person most disappointed in her must be her mentor, Professor Truman.

Just as she was thinking of this, a large group of medical students suddenly surged from the school, all of them excited and elated.

"Hurry, hurry, Academician Truman’s car is almost here!"

"The school really did it, hiring Academician Truman back for teaching and research! I wish I could be part of his project team!"

"Keep dreaming, Academician Truman has high standards! In these years, students who caught his eye can be counted on one hand. Plus, I heard he was so upset by his most promising disciple that he hasn’t taken on any students for seven years."

Tanya was pushed aside by the crowd.

She listened to these words, both ashamed and shocked.

The student who upset Academician Truman was, of course, her...

Could it be true that because of her, Professor Truman hadn’t accepted any students for seven years?

Tanya was overcome with guilt.

She had truly broken Professor Truman’s heart back then.

Before marrying Vincent, Tanya had sent several invitations to Professor Truman, even asking senior classmates to pass on her request, hoping he would attend her wedding, but he never responded, let alone attended.

As for her holiday greetings, Professor Truman never replied, and the birthday gifts she sent were returned without even being opened.

"Here it comes, here it comes! It’s Academician Truman’s car!" The students grew even more excited, almost like idolizing fans.

As a prominent figure in the medical field and a Nobel Prize nominee, Professor Truman naturally warranted such admiration.

Tanya stood outside the crowd and watched a business car approach. A large group of students immediately gathered around but did not dare to get too close, fearful of crowding Academician Truman, maintaining a respectful distance.

The car door opened, and Academician Truman stepped out, wearing a tailored Chinese tunic suit, his hair gray yet full of vigor, exuding a strong bookish aura. The students, fervent and noisy just moments ago, quieted down instantly, each behaving impeccably, holding copies of Academician Truman’s works hoping for his autograph.

Tanya watched from afar, a silent, reminiscent smile on her face.

Professor Truman was like that, appearing stern and daunting, yet very good to his students, staying up late to help graduates revise papers, giving opportunities to talented students, secretly providing financial aid to those with potential but in hardship...

Yet it was such a kind Professor Truman who had his heart broken by her.

Tanya didn’t have the face to see him, lowered her head, turned around, and quietly left.

Standing beside Academician Truman, his disciple Harrison Langdon keenly noticed a fleeting figure in the corner, his gaze pausing, somewhat surprised.

That silhouette... why does it look so much like Junior Sister?

"What are you staring at? The professor has already left," Cameron Wenworth gently nudged the daydreaming junior.

Harrison turned back, "Senior, I think I saw Junior Sister..."

At these words, Cameron Wenworth immediately covered his mouth, nervously glancing at their mentor, walking a few steps ahead. After confirming he hadn’t heard, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don’t talk nonsense," Cameron frowned at Harrison Langdon, lowering his voice, "In front of the professor, absolutely don’t mention Junior Sister again!"

Cameron was the earliest disciple of Professor Truman, joining him a decade ago as a graduate student and following him all along. He considered himself talented and hardworking enough, surrounded by praise, lauding him as a genius.

Yet Professor Truman only said he was the diligent type who makes up for lack of natural talent, a statement Cameron thought was meant to keep him grounded amid the flattery.

Until that year, when freshman Tanya Sinclair appeared, he realized the professor’s assessment was perfectly objective.

Cameron vividly remembered the fear instilled by Tanya... She solved in half an hour a difficult problem that had taken him three months without success.

Tanya Sinclair was a rare genius, which is why Professor Truman, who normally only accepted graduate students, made an exception to take her under his wing while she was still a freshman.

Professor Truman’s fondness for Tanya was evident from his public praise, calling her the successor of his legacy.

It was precisely because Professor Truman valued Tanya so highly and had such high hopes for her that when she resolutely abandoned her research path to get married, he was so incensed that he nearly ended up hospitalized.

As a result, for all these years, the name Tanya Sinclair remained a taboo subject around him.

Anyone who mentioned it would earn his darkened expression.

Moreover...

Cameron couldn’t help but look towards where Harrison had seen someone earlier, but the area was empty now.

Harrison must have been seeing things, or it was just a passerby with a similar figure.

Because it was impossible for Tanya Sinclair to be here.

She should still be lying in a hospital bed now...