Chapter 173
Josie swept her gaze over the crowd.
In her previous life, she was overly concerned with her reputation and did not dare to speak openly about the matter. She believed that as long as she neither acknowledged nor discussed it, no one would believe the rampant rumors.
Unbeknownst to her, her silence was taken as tacit consent. Her continual retreat and avoidance became weapons for these people to harm her. Step by step, they seemed eager to drive her to her death.
Now, she is no longer the timid and cowardly girl she once was. She has the courage to face any abusive language directed at her.
Josie smiled faintly. “Are you all wondering whether I have actually slept with Professor Jeremy? Let’s settle this once and for all, so I don’t have to waste my time explaining it to each of you individually. But if the facts prove that I didn’t do it, all of you will have to apologize to me. Deal?”
“An apology will be secondary. Even if Professor Jeremy won’t sue you for defamation, the university will probably still punish you,” Josie elaborated.
Several students who had gathered appeared hesitant, unsure whether they should follow Josie's lead.
The girl being pulled by Adeline shouted, “Who are you trying to intimidate? We were just gossiping. Why should the school punish us? We didn’t spread this online.”
The girl continued, “You, on the other hand, have become a different person ever since you left Professor David’s team. You’re constantly the subject of discussions, both online and at school. At this point, I wonder if you just want to be an influencer.”
“You’re spending all your energy trying to stand out instead of focusing on your studies. Some part of you must be up to no good. Otherwise, how would such rumors even start?” The girl concluded, and the onlookers gathered around again.
Without a word, Josie raised her hand and delivered a slap, forcefully turning the girl’s face to the side.
“Do you know why I hit you?” Josie gave the girl no time to react and immediately gripped her chin.
“Because you’re not a good person either. Otherwise, why would I hit you instead of someone else?” Josie spat out.
Adeline and Allison laughed out loud at the same time. “Exactly, if you endorse the concept of victim blaming, then you must not think you were unjustly beaten, right?”
Upon witnessing the situation, the crowd promptly fell silent.
Josie cast a grateful glance at Allison, then swept her gaze over the others. “I am under no obligation to explain myself to you. However, Professor Jeremy is an excellent professor, and I cannot stand by and watch you tarnish his reputation. Let’s go. I will take you to see him.”
Allison and Adeline did not understand what Josie meant. However, seeing that she was entirely unconcerned about her own reputation and appeared not to take these remarks to heart at all, they felt somewhat relieved.
The two of them dragged the girl, who had not dared to speak again after being beaten, all the way to the area beneath the teachers’ building.
It so happened that Joseph, Jeremy, Delilah, and Sean were coming out together.
Upon seeing them, Delilah furrowed her brows and said, “What are you all doing here? What were you guys thinking, so many of you gathering beneath the teachers’ building like this?”
Josie stepped forward and took Delilah’s arm. “Please don’t be upset, Professor. Everyone only came because they heard that Professor Jeremy had arrived at the school and wanted to catch a glimpse of him. By the way, it appears that no one is aware that Professor Jeremy is your husband!”
Upon hearing these words, every student who had followed involuntarily drew in a sharp breath.
The marriage between Delilah and Jeremy was discreet. Few people are aware that they are husband and wife.
Given the nature of Delilah and Jeremy’s relationship, there was no way Josie could have slept with Jeremy. It was now obvious to everyone that everything had been a misunderstanding between them.
“You silly girl, there’s no need to bring up such things.” Delilah chided Josie gently and tapped her lightly on the head.
Josie smiled and let herself be admonished. “Professor Jeremy, if you have nothing to do in the future, you should come to our school more often to visit the teachers. That way, everyone won’t misunderstand you.”