Chapter 8
With just one masterstroke of strategic retreat. Josie had already stirred Professor and the seniors, who still carried a soft spot for her, into wanting to pull her back
Natalie was furious. She knew that the plagiarism incident was a trap she had set for Josie. Even though Josie apologized on the surface. she probably hated her from the bottom of her heart by now.
Once Josie gained control over staying in the team, whether it be the seniors or Professor Lawson, they would likely forget about the smear campaign soon enough, and Josie would win everyone’s favor again.
After all, there was a nasty streak in all. A proactive Josie was always more endearing than one who was pushed away
Natalie gritted her teeth. ‘No way! Josie wants to stay? Forget it! Since she wants out, get lost as far as possible!”
“Shut up!” Aiden snapped; the words stung bitterly in his chest.
Natalie was the kind of beauty whose tears could make one want to wrap her in cotton wool. Seriously, the line of guys chasing her at school! Could probably circle the dorm building twice over.
But here was the kicker: this girl kept her nose clean–always buried in her books, never messed around with guys, Seriously, that was how she snagged the “Girl–Next–Goddess” crown year after year.
A pretty girl who strived to do better always won hearts, especially when she was so considerate.
No way they could bear to see her sad.
“There’s no reason for you to leave. I’ll talk to Josie about this. If she’s really set on leaving, then let it be.” Aiden clenched his teeth, fuming.
“I’ll go.” Vincent stood up. “We’ve been in this team for years, I don’t want her making mistakes.”
I’m going with you.” Jaden also stood up. “Let’s get real. She aced her exams because I pulled all–nighters coaching her! Now she just quits!
“Damn right, I’ll make her answer this: What did all my sweat and tears count for? Nothing. Zero.”
After both left one after another, no one had any appetite left.
Natalie watched the gloomy faces around the table, boiling inside. That bitch! Wrecking my dinner without even showing up? I underestimated her.‘
She looked at Aiden with an aggrieved expression. “Sorry, Aiden. You kindly invited everyone for dinner, but it got ruined like this.
“It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t fallen out with Josie, none of you would be caught in between.
“It has nothing to do with you, Kyle grumbled angrily. I think it’s still Josie’s fault. She used to seem sensible, but how did she turn out like this?
“Look, you’re not just a pretty face, you’ve got skills. So why’s she gotta have it out for you?” He slammed his fork down. “What, the whole world’s supposed to revolve around Her Highness? Get reall
Gavin chuckled awkwardly. “Natalie isn’t wrong here, women’s jealousy is truly scary Right, Alden?”
Everyone in the team knew that Josie liked Aiden, while he only saw her as a junior without any romantic intentions.
It wasn’t a big deal before. Everyone got along pretty well. But then Natalie showed up. She was the queen of the department, and there were tons of people on the school forums pairing her with Aiden.
Back then was fine, but now that Natalie was part of their team, she spent all day with Aiden. And to make things worse, during that smear campaign, Aiden sided completely with Natalie.
Josie had every reason to hate her.
“Right the hell! Shove that in your mouth and chew. Alden shot a glare at Natalie. “Don’t listen to Gavin’s nonsense. We’re all teammates.
“I treat you all the same. I never thought Josie would dislike you over something like this. If that’s true, I’d have to apologize.”
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dislikes me because of this, I’ll explain everything to her another day.
Natalie waved her hands. “No, no, it’s not your fault. If Josie really di There’s nothing between me and you”
“No need to explain!” Aiden’s expression darkened. “Whoever I hang out with is none of her business.
“If she loses control over something like this, it just makes me dislike her even more. It might be better for her to leave the team sooner,”
Natalie felt secretly delighted. Aiden is mine. Josie could forget about competing. Humph
After a good night’s sleep. Josie opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling above her bed, still feeling a bit surreal.
She really did come back!
No longer was she locked in prison, suffering from depression and insomnia, or constantly banging her head against walls.
No longer was she that naive Josie who fantasized about someone coming to rescue her from prison or hoped for forgiveness from the seniors and approval from the professor.
Up already? A hand waved in front of her eyes as Claire’s bright face peered down from the top bunk. “Where’s your phone? Let’s add each other–I’ll send you today’s consultation notes.”
Josie pushed herself up, tidied her things with a few quick moves, and grabbed her phone.
Twenty–one missed calls–besides Kyle, everyone else had called–and messages filled up WhatsApp notifications, including group chats among them seven and direct messages from Vincent et al.
In the past, she would’ve been excitedly replying one by one right away. Now, she just casually scanned through them before adding Claire
“Did you finish Professor Wilcourt’s tasks yesterday? She might spot–check when we meet today, if not done, there could be punishment -be mentally prepared.”
Claire yawned, stretching her arms overhead. “Oh yeah, you don’t have your own silver needles yet, right?
Tll get Sean to tag along someday and have a custom set made. Always stick to our own needles. That’s the rule.”
“Okay,” Josie replied. “Thanks, Claire.”
Claire chuckled and ruffled Josie’s hair. “You’re so cute. I want to pinch you.
“Cut the formal crap with me.” She waved a hand. This field’s always been tight–knit. Honestly, I’ve been starving for some new blood. You showing up? Made my whole damn day. Seriously.”
Josie’s lips curved softly. Glad to be here, too, really”
“Hurry up and get ready, we’ll see the professor soon. After Claire went to the bathroom, Josie looked through the group chat messages.
Everyone already knew about her quitting the team but didn’t believe it. They thought she was just throwing a tantrum and waiting for everyone to comfort her.
Josie snorted and typed in the group. The thing about quitting is real, no joke🙂
After sending the message, she quit the group and put her phone on silent.
Delilah’s consultation was at ten o’clock, they arrived at the clinic at nine,
True to Claire’s word, Delilah tested them before their consultation
“Sean first. Move that dummy over there and go through yesterday’s needle techniques: Delilah pointed at the dummy.
Hearing this, Josie breathed a slight sigh of relief.
When Delilah taught Sean needle techniques yesterday, she didn’t hide anything from Josie or Claire. With photographic memory, Josie could remember most of it after listening once.
The dummies had acupoints marked on them; going through one set of needles wasn’t hard.
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Chapter 8
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But as Sean began his precision–cut needle work, Josie realized just how naive she’d been–Professor Wilcourt, whose reputation rivaled David’s? Hell no she’d show mercy to her handful of students.
By the time Sean finished his last needle insertion, Josie realized she hadn’t remembered any of his techniques correctly.
In just fifteen seconds, he completed twenty–one acupoint insertions in front–back–left–right order–it required not only good memory but also relentless practice day and night to achieve such precision.
As soon as Sean finished, Delilah turned to look at Josie. “Anything you want to say?”
