Chapter 2 A Real Troublemaker

As I joined the production crew, I was taken aback to find an acquaintance, Vera Sinclair.

Upon seeing Vera, Anita immediately went over, looking aggrieved and on the verge of tears.

I overheard someone nearby mentioning that they were siblings.

Considering their shared abhorrent behaviors, it was unsurprising that they were related.

I recalled the incident when I had exposed Vera's academic fraud, resulting in her degree being revoked. And now, here was her younger sister, deliberately provoking me without considering the consequences.

After exchanging a few words with Anita, Vera suddenly locked eyes with me, a sharp gaze reflecting some unresolved animosity between us.

She stepped towards me in her high heels, swaying her hips.

"Ma'am, my sister said she accidentally damaged your sauna machine. Name your price, and I'll compensate you accordingly!"

I was slightly taken aback. Did Vera not recognize me? When I had exposed her scientific fraud back then, she pleaded for forgiveness, kneeling before me.

For researchers like us specializing in salt-alkali land cultivation, any deviation was a serious matter. If someone were to mistakenly rely on Vera’s falsified data, it could lead to significant losses for farmers.

I had already cautioned her about academic misconduct the first time it occurred. Despite that, she refused to correct her behavior, ultimately resulting in her degree being revoked by me through proper procedures.

Later on, I found out that her family was quite wealthy and her audacity was solely due to her family's support. However, it was her misfortune to cross paths with someone as tenacious as me.

Since I had confronted her before, I wasn't afraid to do so again, but it seemed that she didn't even recognize me!

"My machine is imported from abroad, and I'm not exactly sure about its specific price. Compensation can be discussed with professionals after the show."

Upon hearing this, Vera rolled her eyes and even mocked me.

"Who are you trying to fool? A bumpkin like you from a remote rural area couldn't possibly afford an imported sauna machine."

After she finished speaking, Anita burst into tears once again.

"Imported from abroad? Then it must be very expensive. Ma'am, you must have spent a lot of money on it, perhaps even burdening your family. I now realize the mistake I made, and I am determined to make it up to you! Please find it in your heart to forgive me."

Her tearful plea prompted several male celebrities to step forward and console her, before turning towards me to express their disapproval.

"Ma'am, Anita is an innocent girl, but we are no fools. It's quite strange to find a steam sauna machine in a place like this, and claiming that it's imported only adds to the confusion. Please stop scaring Anita any further, alright?"

I was left speechless by their reactions. Just then, my phone rang, and I quickly retrieved it to check the notification.

Even with just my modest phone, it seemed to be enough to draw their attention. Anita, in particular, approached me with a scornful smile.

"Ma'am, I couldn't help but notice the condition of your phone. It seems to be outdated. How about this? I would like to offer you a new phone as a gift. The old one runs out of battery fast and is very slow, which must be quite inconvenient for your children to contact you.

"I believe that at your age, it's important to enjoy life and explore the outside world. Instead of wasting money on insignificant things, why not invest in something more meaningful?"

As Anita spoke, she took my phone and threw it aside.

I couldn’t help gasping in astonishment. The data in that phone was precious, and even my former students would return it to me with great respect if they had touched it.

How could these people have no sense of boundaries?

Anita chuckled as if she had heard a joke, "Ma'am, don't be like this, I'll buy you a new one later."

Frustrated with her response, I said, "If you won't retrieve it, then I'll do it myself."

I stood up, carefully picked up my phone, and hid it in my pocket. Then I picked up a stone from the roadside and threw it at the camera that was following Anita around, capturing her every move.

"Oops, it slipped. How much does this thing cost? Should I compensate you?" I asked.