Chapter 14
“The whole team came up with it.” Adeline said as she opened two more documents. “But we actually thought of three ideas. This one felt like the best, but we have no clue how to take it further.”
That explains a lot’ Josie finally understood why, in her past life, Adeline’s team didn’t go with this proposal for the competition
Josie grabbed the mouse, clicked a few spots, and started typing
Even though years had passed, the project plan from her previous life was still vivid in her mind.
It didn’t take long before Josie filled in the development plan following the innovation proposal, all based on memory.
“Take a look at this. If I plan it like this, will it be hard for you guys to execute?” Josie said. She genuinely wanted Adeline to outshine Aiden, so she didn’t hold anything back.
The moment Adeline saw the proposal, she was so thrilled she almost hugged Josie on the spot.
Adeline exclaimed, “Oh my god, Josie, you seriously get me. One of our senior team members said we were stuck exactly at this part because we don’t have anyone specialized in cytology.
“If we want to make this innovation work, we’ll definitely need someone who knows cytology to provide professional data when we create the final product.
“But you know how it is everyone’s busy with their own projects, who would be willing to help us?”
ahead with my plan.”
Adeline paused for a second and asked, Josie, are you not planning to enter the competition?”
“Even if I do, our projects won’t clash at all” Josie smiled. “You just need to trust me and
Josie added, “If; you need more detailed data for the final presentation or paper, just let me know. I promise I won’t hold back.”
go
Adeline had no trouble believing that. After living with Josie as roommates for four years, if there’s one thing she was sure of, it was Josie’s character,
At the very least, Josie never lied and always kept her promises.
Especially when it came to those senior team members–Josie had always gone above and beyond for them. It was a shame really, how things eventually fell apart.
Probably that Natalie Kinberg’s doing. Josie was way too naive to go up against a snake like her.
Feeling a wave of sympathy, Adeline said gently, “Josie, if anyone messes with you, just let me know. I’ll stand up
for you
“And don’t let what’s happening on the forum get to you. I know you’re not that kind of person. If you say she plagiarized, then she plagiarized. I don’t care if there’s no proof. I believe you.”
Josie didn’t expect her to bring that up so suddenly and couldn’t help but laugh. She said, “Thanks! But it’s over now. Let’s not bring it up
again.”
“Whatever you say. Adeline turned back to refine the plan Josie had just written, while also contacting her team to discuss it.
Josie, however, couldn’t stop thinking about the forum. When she clicked in, she realized just how lively things had gotten online.
Following the trail of comments, Josie eventually found the original post a public announcement about her joining Delilah’s team.
Thinking back to what Sean had asked her earlier that day, Josie figured Sean was probably the on
who made the post. She casually hit follow on his profile and continued reading.
Most of the replies mocked her, saying Josie had lost her mind. Who in their right mind would drop a hot major, quit David’s team, and switch to a dead–end field? People called her insane.
A few comments, very few, praised her courage, saying Josie was bold and deserved respect. But they were drowned out in the sea of mockery.
Another portion of the comments speculated on why Josie left David’s team.
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11:18 AM PP.
Chapter 14
The plagiarism scandal surfaced again, but it didn’t cause much of a stir because everyone’s attention was quickly stolen by an official
campus announcement.
The announcement, issued under David’s name, stated: [Following recruitment assessments, the new research team members for the latest project are as follows]
Of course, Josie’s name was nowhere on the list.
Josie let out a bitter laugh. David was obviously clearing Natalie’s name, making sure no one would dare label her a plagiarist again.
At the same time, it conveniently explained Josie’s exit from the team–she simply failed the recruitment.
With this, Josie’s departure had nothing to do with David and his people. Not only did it squash further speculation, but it also set Natalie up as the rising star, overshadowing Josie completely.
Josie thought, ‘Plagiarism aside, once I get my hands on evidence and expose Natalie to cheating during recruitment, I wonder how humiliating David’s precious announcement will look then.
Suddenly, Josie found herself looking forward to that day.
Scrolling further, Josie spotted the most eye–catching comment under the announcement–it was from Aiden
He wrote: [Welcome to the family, Natalie. Your arrival has brought a splash of life to our dull research team. Looking forward to working with you.]
Right after him was Kyle, whose comments were, as always, full of flattery and brown–nosing.
Josie glanced at it and laughed out loud. She used to be so naive, thinking Kyle’s sweet words were meant just for her, that his praises and compliments were sincere.
IL wasn’t until Josie was abandoned and despised by the team that she saw Kyle’s true colors, the venom behind his words.
During those days in prison, Josie would often replay those memories and wonder–how could someone who once said the sweetest things to her turn around and curse her with the vilest insults?
Back then, Josie couldn’t understand. But after being reborn, she did because to Kyle, everything boiled down to one thing: value.
In Kyle’s eyes, all that mattered was whether you were useful or not. He was the very definition of a social climber.
Josie didn’t linger on that page for long. A quick glance was enough to confirm all five of those senior team members were still there.
Honestly, Josie found it amusing to see them playing happy family with Natalie.
Then Josie moved the mouse back to Sean’s homepage and reposted his thread, adding her own message: [Yes, I’ve joined Professor
Wilcourt’s team.
[Switching majors in senior year is a risky move, but I’m grateful to Professor Wilcourt for giving me a chance. I won’t let her down.
[Thank you, Sean and Claire, for your care and support. Having you both around gives me so much confidence in starting over. I’m truly grateful.]
For Josie, changing majors was her first step toward rewriting a tragic fate.
But in everyone else’s eyes, Josie looked like a stray dog that had been kicked out of the house.
Delilah’s lab was seen as nothing more than a shabby little shelter, yet Josie still had the audacity to publicly express gratitude as if it were some grand opportunity.
To those watching for drama, it was just Josie trying to save face, finding herself a pathetic excuse to step down gracefully.
Naturally, this only brought on another round of mockery and ridicule.
Josie hadn’t even exited the page when comments started flooding in
[Looks like the department’s top spot is up for grabs now, Let’s give a round of applause.]
Always acting cold and high and mighty. Guess you’re not that special after all. Serves you right.]
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Chapter 14
[Compared to Natalie, you’re not even worth a finger. She’s beautiful and kind, you’re just a drama queen.]
[God, you’ve been fooling Aiden all these years. Finally, he comes to his senses. About time you got kicked out.]
[Natalie saved Aiden! Who’s going to save my poor Sean? I don’t want my favorite senior to be bewitched]
Josie’s fingers paused, eyes lingering on the word “bewitched” for a few seconds. She thought, In the past life, wasn’t that exactly how Aiden and the others had bewitched?
Even when the truth was right in front of them, they refused to believe her. Instead, they accused me of being malicious, trying to frame Natalie.
This time, I’m not going to carry that burden. I’m so curious to see just how far they can climb, what kind of achievements they’ll reach
“And Natalie, the girl they’re so desperate to protect, what unforgettable experience will she bring them all?”
A
