Around CH 15

Posted by Adminj, ? Views, Released on August 26, 2025

Chapter 15

Compared to the flood of mockery and abuse filling Josie’s screens, Natalie’s world was basking in glory.

With David’s announcement and the public support from Aiden and a few others, her comment section was a one–sided sea of well- wishes and praise.

Occasionally, a couple of sour remarks would pop up, but they were quickly drowned out by a flood of praise.

Not to mention, there were hardly any people badmouthing her–such things were practically non–existent. Natalie was in high spirits and casually sent a message to Josie.

Josie didn’t see it until the next morning. After logging off the forum the night before, she’d shut down her computer and buried herself

in her textbooks.

Josie had filled pages with notes, but a few stubborn problems remained unsolved. She planned to find Claire later to ask about them.

Grabbing her phone to head out, Josie spotted the private message notification. Opening it, she read Natalie’s words.

Natalie. Josie, try not to take the online comments too seriously. I believe with your abilities, you’ll thrive even after changing majors. Hang in there.]

Josie clicked her tongue and thought, “Still with that sickly–sweet act.

Just flaunt your success if you want to, there’s no need for this fake

concern.

After a moment’s thought, Josie replied: [Okay!]

Josie couldn’t afford to ignore Natalie. If she wanted to uncover the plagiarism thing, Natalie needed to keep strutting around.

The more Natalie flaunted herself, the more chances Josie would have to find her mistakes.

Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Joste headed for the library. To her surprise, Claire was already there.

The moment she saw Josie, Claire thrust a large cup of coffee into her hands. Drink this. This should thase away the blues?

“Why would I be blue?” Josie blinked, genuinely puzzled. “Seeing you makes me happy. Truly.”

Her earnestness made Claire laugh. “You’re so cute, Claire said, unable to resist reaching our and giving Josie’s cheek a playful pinch.

It was the first time anyone had done that. Josie felt her face warm, a flush of shyness coloring her cheeks.

Josie was naturally reserved, not one for easy smiles. While people had called her cute before, Aiden and the others mostly praised her for being well–behaved.

To them, that compliance seemed her greatest merit and the main reason they were willing to hang out with her.

Claire guided Josie to a seat. “If you’re feeling down, talk to me. I’ll be your sounding board—but only this once. No more getting upset over that online garbage, got it?”

“But I’m honestly not upset,” Josie insisted, a sudden warmth pricking her eyes.

She continued, “I know everyone is waiting to see me make a fool of myself. But I believe my choice won’t end in a joke. Claire, I don’t have time for tears.

Claire felt a surge of admiration. They’d noticed Josie two years ago when she started making waves on campus.

Delilah had privately looked through her test papers and the relevant papers she published on the campus network.

Delilah had remarked, “Such promising talent, wasted in David’s hands.” So, when Delilah saw Josie at the hospital that day, she didn’t

hesitate to recruit her.

The subsequent events, while unexpected, weren’t entirely surprising. Delilah had told Claire to keep an eye on Josie after the initial plagiarism scandal erupted online.

Claire had questioned who the real plagiarist was back then. Now, knowing Josie and seeing the recent forum frenzy, Claire had good reason to suspect the plagiarism accusation was true.

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David had likely suppressed it to protect his reputation, probably even blaming Josie for speaking out. The injustice Josie must have endured was staggering

Claire’s heart ached for her. She reached out and patted Josie’s shoulder. “You’re right. Wallowing is weak.

“Our job is to shove the facts down their throats. Now, come on, what don’t you understand? Ask away”

Claire threw herself into explaining the problems. She was direct and efficient, holding nothing back. She’d even brought her old lecture notebooks and handed them over to Josie

Holding the slightly worn notebook, Josie felt her composure waver. She thought her second chance in life had stripped her of deep emotions, that she could face everything with detached calm.

After all, having seen life’s harsh realities, her heart felt like stagnant water–scarred and unmoving. But she was wrong.

Simple kindness could still move her. She could still believe in the good in the world. Especially when it was something she’d desperately craved in her previous life

Josie was an orphan. She’d lost everyone by age five or six, left to wander the village, relying on scraps of food from different households.

No one in the village liked her. She was treated as a burden, someone they wished would just leave.

The village paid her school fees, so Josie studied obsessively, terrified of giving them more reason to resent her. She dreamed only of escaping.

Meeting Aiden and the others felt like incredible luck. She treasured that connection, terrified of being a burden and not being good enough. Josie worked relentlessly to keep up and to please them.

She was practically at their beck and call, believing that if she was obedient and smart enough, they might finally like her, maybe event see her as family.

Because that’s what they were to her–the family she’d always dreamed of. But sometimes, sincerity isn’t returned in kind.

Josie traced the curled edge of the notebook, her eyelashes fluttering, “Claire, you’re giving me all your knowledge. Aren’t you afraid I’ll surpass you! Like Ms. Wilcourt favors me more?”

“Then you’d better hurry up and do it. Steal some of that attention, lighten my load, won’t you?” Claire gave her head a light pat

She added, “Silly girl, we’re a team. The stronger you are, the easier my job gets. That’s only good news. My only fear is that I’m not teaching you well enough and holding you back.”

“You’re not,” Josie whispered, her eyes now definitely red–rimmed. “You’re teaching me perfectly.”

The truth was, people are different. Not everyone was like Aiden and his circle. In Josie’s previous life, when Jaden helped her with her major, he’d merely recommended a few books.

Finding some notes scribbled inside, Josie had been so pathetically grateful she almost accepted his confession on the spot.

Later, she even spent day and night helping Jaden look up materials and attending lectures outside her major. She filled entire notebooks, all to help him prepare for grad school.

Looking back now, Jaden giving her books instead of his actual notes was probably just him protecting his advantage.

And years later, Jaden had constantly brought up that favor, reminding Josie over and over that all her achievements were thanks to him and that she owed him gratitude.

But the truth was, Josie had repaid his help many times over, tenfold even. She never owed them a thing.

Leaving the library around noon, Josie offered to buy Claire lunch.

“Save your money,” Claire waved her off. “I’m heading home. My schedule’s lighter now, so hit me up anytime you’re stuck. If you can’t find me, just message. If I don’t reply fast enough, go find Sean.

Claire added, “He’s better with the core material than I am. Don’t let that permanent scowl fool you, he’s decent once you get used to him. You’ll see.”

Josie nodded eagerly, her earnestness reminding Claire of a puppy who’d finally found a home.

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“Oh my, you’re too sweet. Being this sweet makes you a target, you know?” Claire tapped her cheek again. “Maybe keep that cool vibe going. It looks tougher.”