Chapter 3

Elizabeth's voice was soft, tinged with helplessness and indignation, perfectly playing the role of an innocent junior caught in the crossfire.

Professor Belfort, clearly busy on the other end, spoke succinctly.

"That equipment was sponsored by Oakmont Group. The contract includes one free maintenance. Don't panic—when I have time, I'll contact Oakmont and have them send someone over to fix it."

Elizabeth bit her lip, still dissatisfied, pressing further, "Professor, what about Michelle? After all, it was her mishandling that caused the damage. Shouldn't there be some consequence? Otherwise, if everyone operates carelessly, things will get out of control in the lab. Maybe Michelle should leave the research group? Other students will surely object if she stays."

Ah, the dagger in the folds.

All this fuss, all this maneuvering, was just to push me out of the research group.

First, she liked Nicky. Nicky and I had always been entangled in an unclear relationship; she had long considered me a rival.

Second, the field had very few women. She had been the department's star pupil, the sole female genius in a sea of men. Now, in the research group, the two of us were the only girls, and she had been quietly competing with me ever since.

But Professor Belfort, on the phone, said only, "No need. It may not even be Michelle who broke it. Even if it was, she certainly didn't do it on purpose. We'll discuss the details when I return."

With that, he hung up.

Elizabeth gripped her phone, her face twitching with suppressed frustration. After a moment, she forced a smile, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Michelle, you're something else. Even after causing such a huge mess, Professor Belfort still backs you up."

I didn't bother arguing. I said flatly, "Elizabeth, instead of spending your energy on petty schemes, focus on reading more literature. You've been in the research group for two years and don't have a single first-author paper. At this rate, graduating is going to be a problem."

Her face stiffened, like I had stepped on a nerve.

I ignored her and walked straight out of the lab.

The next morning, I sensed something was off the moment I arrived at the university.

Clusters of students on the walkway lowered their voices and whispered when they saw me, their eyes scanning me like I was some rare spectacle.

I frowned, pulled out my phone, and opened the campus forum that had just pushed a notification.

The top post bore a flaming "HOT" label: [Shocking: Top Professor Allegedly Having Affair with Female Student—Placed Her in Cutting-Edge Research Group and Covered Up Multi-Million-Dollar Equipment Damage!]

The post was detailed, painting a vivid picture.

It claimed I had an inappropriate relationship with Professor Belfort, which was why I was forcibly placed in the group. It claimed I usually acted entitled, and now that I'd caused a major accident, the professor personally called to shield me.

The comments had already stretched across several pages.

[That's her? I know her—she chased after our campus heartthrob Nicky for years. He didn't even look at her, yet she clung on relentlessly.]

[Shameless! She'll do anything.]

[The professor seems so upright… and yet he would condone this? Don't judge a book by its cover.]

[I heard her family has connections; otherwise, how could she manipulate the professor?]

The post had even been shared across social media, gaining traction at an alarming speed.

I scrolled through the comments one by one. Each was more disgusting than the last.

I put my phone away, took a deep breath, and headed toward the lab.

The moment I opened the door, everyone inside lifted their heads in unison, their eyes glinting with the same contempt reserved for a rat in the street.

Elizabeth saw me and immediately curled her lips into a smug smile.

"Michelle is here. Congratulations on finally being off the market."

A few suppressed chuckles rippled through the room.

I smiled.

"Elizabeth, what do you mean by that?"

She blinked innocently.

"Am I mistaken? The forum says… you and Professor Belfort…"