Chapter 37
The memories replayed in her mind, each scene striking at her heart like a sharp blade.
But now, she was no longer the person she used to be.
She had the courage to face this head–on.
She would never be the weak, helpless girl who let others trample over her.
Giving in would only allow the schemers to win and give them more reason to gloat.
She paused briefly, then spoke, her voice calm and unwavering.
“Do you really think a single photo is enough to spread rumors and condemn me?”
Her clear, steady voice carried through the air like a gentle stream, silencing the murmuring crowd.
Camille was caught off guard for a moment, but quickly lifted the photograph again, her expression smug “This picture alone is proof that your relationship with him isn’t ordinary. What else is there to argue?
“I don’t need to argue. I just need to point out one fact.”
Stellar raised an eyebrow, then asked coolly,
“The day you took this picture, why didn’t you mention that Professor Stone was there too? That this so–called ‘ investor‘ was personally introduced by him and even had a meeting with Mr. Wood?
“Are you saying that Professor Stone and Mr. Wood were ananging shady deals for students?”
She didn’t even need to bring up the fact that Claude was her uncle–if anything, making that connection would only be a hassle.
It was enough to mention Victor.
Everyone knew how upright and uncompromising he was
He had zero tolerance for corruption
And if the university dean had also been involved in that meeting, then what Camille was implying would be an even bigger accusation.
Camille, as one of Victor’s graduate students, knew this all too well.
Her face visibly paled, her confidence wavering.
“I–I didn’t mean it like that!”
“Oh? Then what did you mean?”
Stellar’s gaze was as sharp as an ice–cold dagger.
“Because of one photo, where nothing inappropriate is even happening, you decided to assume, to spread rumors that I’m sleeping my way into opportunities? Just because m a woman, I deserve to be humiliated like this?”
Her words cut through Camille like a blade, making her instinctively shrink back, suddenly at a loss for words.
“Is that it? Do women have to be dependent on men to succeed? Are we not allowed to stand on our own?”
Stellar swept her gaze over the gathered crowd.
Chapter 37
+25 BONUS
“As women, we shouldn’t reduce ourselves to mere objects We’ve had the privilege of higher education—we should understand that women, just like men, are independent Individuals.
“Socializing is our right, and knowing how to distinguish truth from lies is a skill we must have.”
The students around her slowly came to their senses.
Thinking it through, they realized she was right.
Camille threw out a random photo, completely baseless, yet they blindly followed along, assuming the worst.
So, this was how rumors spread so easily.
Guilt flashed across many faces in the crowd.
A moment of silence passed before someone suddenly stepped forward.
“Well said, Stellar!”
More voices quickly followed.
“Exactly! Some people go too far, spreading disgusting rumors about women. Don’t they realize how much harm that does? Where’s the shame?”
“A picture of someone getting into a car? Really? If you want proof, show a photo of them kissing or in bed! Something with substance! Do they take us for idiots?”
“And she’s supposed to be a grad student? What an embarrassment.”
A few people even started whispering among themselves, digging into Camille’s background, eager to gossip.
Camille’s face burned with humiliation.
The judgment, the whispers, and the condemning looks were too much.
Unable to take it any longer, she turned and fled, disappearing into the crowd.
Meanwhile, attention shifted back to Stellar, admiration replacing suspicion.
After all, it took guts to return after two years and still aim for a spot in Victor’s research team.
That wasn’t something just anyone could do.
The crowd lingered for a while, but eventually, they dispersed.
However Stellar didn’t give the incident another thought.
Wasting time being angry over something like this wasn’t worth it.
She had bigger goals.
She would earn her place as Victor’s student and secure that project.
