BXBX NOVEL Chapter 136 - 136: Slap in the Face
Charles was truly shocked.
Isla and Keira had always had a strained relationship at the university; it was something everyone vaguely sensed.
They just didn’t know why.
Later at the graduation ceremony, when Jake proposed to Isla, it led everyone to speculate that the two women had tensions because of a man.
So, why had Dr. South taken on Isla as her research student?
Without thinking, he blurted out the question.
And with those words, everyone at the dinner table turned to look at him, their eyes wide with shock.
Someone couldn’t help but ask hesitantly, “Charles, what did you just say?”
Charles was speechless.
He immediately looked apologetically at Keira.
Keira actually didn’t care.
She didn’t want to reveal her identity because she didn’t want to be approached by too many people, but at this point, even if it was revealed, it didn’t matter anymore.
Just as she was about to say something, Erin’s voice chimed in. “Charles, what are you implying? Are you actually suggesting that Keira is Dr. South? What kind of joke is that?”
The others laughed.
“Charles, you really can say anything!”
“Don’t stir up trouble here and make a big deal out of nothing.”
“Dr. South is so prominent in the new energy industry. How could he be a young woman in her twenties? Three years ago, he published a paper when we were just sophomores and still not very clear about the core technology of new energy!”
“Charles, you really are a joker…”
Seeing that nobody believed him, Charles’s stubborn nature kicked in. “Why would I lie to you guys? I work at Dr. South’s company. How could I not know who Dr. South is?! Keira is Dr. South!”
Everyone turned to look at Keira in unison.
Erin said, “Keira, say something! He’s claiming you’re Dr. South. Surely you wouldn’t dare admit it?”
“Charles, just shut it. The person herself hasn’t spoken, and you know you can’t impersonate that identity, so what are you even saying?”
“Better shut up fast!”
“Such an international joke isn’t funny at all.”
Charles looked at everyone with a wronged expression. “Why won’t you guys believe me?”
He looked toward Keira.
He wanted her to say something, but then he suddenly remembered that Keira always kept her identity private. He had just blurted it out in a moment of urgency.
He now regretted it.
It was wrong to reveal her identity without Dr. South’s consent.
He didn’t dare to ask Keira to cover for him, so he could only silently sigh and hang his head.
But to his surprise, the next moment he heard her quiet voice beside him. “He’s right.”
Charles was dumbfounded.
He couldn’t believe it and looked at Keira incredulously, “You, you’re admitting it?”
“Yes,” Keira replied, holding her teacup and taking a sip. “There was really no need for secrecy to begin with.”
Charles laughed. “That’s right, absolutely right!”
The way the two conversed made many people frown, yet they still found it hard to believe.
Erin’s gaze swept over Charles and Keira, finally seeming to understand something. “Charles, you’ve suddenly become so polite and protective of her today. Is that it? I remember you two didn’t really interact before!”
Charles nodded. “We’re all classmates. There’s no enmity. It’s just that today, by chance, I found out she’s Dr. South…”
Erin laughed. “You’ve been duped, right? Keira, you’ve got quite the tactics! You’re picking out anyone at random and spinning them around with lies. You’re pretending to be Dr. South just so Charles would protect you at the banquet, aren’t you? So hypocritical!”
After that, she turned to Charles. “And you, you’re pretty foolish. Is anything she says the truth? How old is she? Could Dr. South be someone so young? Use your brain, will you?!”
Dr. South’s presence in the field of new energy was incredibly strong.
He was the sole authoritative figure in recent years!
His papers published over these years had driven the research in new energy forward by a great leap. He alone had propelled the development of new energy.
Thus, people in this field had a deep fascination with Dr. South.
Dr. South was low-profile. A thousand people had a thousand different perceptions of Dr. South, but one thing presumably remained the same—Dr. South’s age.
He was most likely in his prime, with enough experience and scholarship. How could he be a student who just graduated from college?
This was simply ludicrous!
The classmates simply didn’t believe it and began to speak one after another.
“Keira is probably just joking with Charles, right?”
“There must be some misunderstanding… But Charles, you’re already a working professional. How can you still be so naive?”
“Dr. South joined our school as a special advisor, and Professor Miller is now the dean of the Energy School. He must have met Dr. South. Such a lie is easy to see through…”
Charles was caught between laughter and tears. “Why don’t you believe it? Keira hasn’t lied to me. She didn’t even intend to reveal her identity. It was after I asked to add her on WhatsApp that I found out…”
Erin sneered. “You must be bewitched! Forget Professor Miller, let’s ask Isla. Isla, weren’t you about to be recruited as Dr. South’s graduate student? You must have met Dr. South, right? Tell us, is she Dr. South?”
Isla clenched her fists, feeling a surge of humiliation.
How could she possibly stand up for Keira?
She laughed dismissively, changing the subject. “I’ve given up on grad school. I thought it over, and I don’t see the use in it… It’s better to take over the family business sooner.”
Erin was startled. “So you haven’t met Dr. South either?”
Isla didn’t respond, while Jake frowned. “Alright, let’s drop this topic. Today is Professor Miller’s birthday. Let’s focus on discussing how to celebrate.”
With Jake speaking, everyone conveniently shifted the topic, though some whispered.
“Mr. Horton is still holding onto past feelings, and tries to protect Keira’s dignity!”
“Definitely. After all, he courted his goddess for four years but ended up with nothing… That must be eating him up inside for a lifetime!”
“But Keira is so absurd, coming up with such lies…”
As the crowd buzzed with discussion, Professor Miller arrived, looking travel-worn. He apologized as soon as he stepped in. “I had a class this morning, so I’m late. Sorry to have kept you waiting, guys!”
Everyone immediately stood up to welcome him, exchanging polite words.
Just then, Erin suddenly said in a high-pitched voice, “Professor Miller, you missed quite the drama while you weren’t here! Did you know? Keira claimed she was Dr. South.. Hilarious, right?!”