Chapter 106
Everyone who’d just been blaming Jaden for losing his temper now couldn’t help but look a little puzzled too.
Kyle said, throwing up his hands, “Back when Josie was on our team, it always took her ages to get through even a single topic. She’d spend days just trying to finish a few pages of the textbook, let alone actually memorize anything. I just don’t get it. She’s only been gone for a month, and now it’s like she’s got cheat codes or something. She can learn so well. Isn’t that a little weird?”
Vincent started, “She’s always been really hardworking, maybe…” but then trailed off, not sure how to finish.
Gavin nodded. “Yeah, she’s always been tough and put in the effort, and she used to study really hard. But she’s never learned this fast before. When she first started taking the core classes, she couldn’t even follow along. But now…”
“Yeah, it’s kinda weird!” Jaden kept his head down, looking absolutely sour. His expression was terrible. Inside, he was cursing Josie out. He’d never been this humiliated in his life. To make it worse, he’d just been called out by a teacher in front of everyone. The worst part was those clueless students who were laughing at him behind his back. His dignity was trampled all over, and he had zero respect left. He felt that he could not show his face around school after this. Jaden was about to blow a fuse.
Natalie said, “Jaden, don’t get so worked up. I’m sure Josie didn’t mean to embarrass you on purpose. She’s studying acupuncture now, so of course she’s going to stand with her team.” She gently patted his chest, her voice soft and soothing. She continued, “I don’t know if I’m right, but you all said Josie was slow at learning. What if she actually didn’t spend much time on cytology at all? Maybe she was secretly studying acupuncture the whole time she was on our team."
Even though the others thought it sounded a bit strange, the more they mulled it over, the more it actually seemed to make sense.
Seeing everyone start to waver, Natalie continued, “Back then, you all helped her with competitions and studying, so she didn’t have to put in much effort to win awards or pass exams. If she picked up another major, she could graduate with a double major. Ever since her paper got published, there’s been one thing I just can’t figure out. Even if Professor Wilcourt was short on students, there’s no reason she’d go out of her way for Josie like this, unless…” She stopped there, leaving her thought unfinished.
Kyle finished for her. “Unless she’s been in contact with Professor Wilcourt and her people all along, but just couldn’t show it openly because of Professor Lawson. No wonder she left so decisively this time. She already had a backup plan. Professor Wilcourt really will stop at nothing to go against Professor Lawson. She even came up with the idea of planting an undercover in his team.”
After that was said, everyone fell silent. Nobody knew if they should believe it or not.
Natalie couldn’t help but feel pleased. Kyle was the perfect mouthpiece. Every time she wanted to stir things up, all she had to do was give him a little nudge, and he’d fan the flames exactly the way she wanted. This was perfect for her.
“No way, that’s just too much!” Vincent said, clearly not buying it. He continued, “Josie’s already left the team. She’s learned most of what she needed, but with her grades before, there’s no way she’ll breeze through the next few exams. As for getting a double major? That’s just wishful thinking! I’ve known her for years, and I’ve never seen her touch anything related to acupuncture, let alone hang out with Professor Wilcourt or her crew.”
Gavin nodded. “Yeah, I don’t buy it either. This whole thing sounds way too complicated, and dragging Professor Wilcourt into it? No chance. Josie’s just not that type of person.”
“Honestly, I don’t really believe it either,” even Jaden admitted, shaking his head. The whole idea just sounded way too far-fetched.
Natalie cursed Vincent under her breath, but on the surface, she forced a sheepish smile. She said, “I was just making wild guesses, don’t take it seriously. I’m just curious why Professor Wilcourt is so protective of Josie, and how Josie’s gotten so good at acupuncture so fast. I’m just guessing.”
Aiden finally spoke up. “Honestly, I don’t think Natalie’s theory is that far-fetched. Professor Wilcourt and Professor Lawson have been rivals for years, so it’s possible she’d slip someone into his team.”
“Man, Josie is seriously scary!” Jaden exclaimed, looking completely stunned. He added, “No wonder she’s changed so much. Turns out she was just faking it in front of us this whole time?”