Chapter 271
He said, "I’m not some ace or big shot. It’s not like I have a ton of research to do or can produce anything academic. I just have a lot of time on my hands, so as your supervisor, of course, I have to keep a close eye on you!"
The three of them were talking as if praising David, but in fact, both David and Aiden were despised.
Lance and Derick were so shocked that their eyelids couldn’t stop twitching.
Lance thought, ‘What has David possibly done to provoke such deep-seated resentment among these people?’
"All right, everyone. That’s enough," Lance said, waving his hand. He added, "David, look, now that the results are out and the facts have proven that Colby did not cheat, shouldn’t you…"
Although Lance did not make an explicit statement, Derick was fully aware that Colby had submitted a request prior to the examination. Now was the time for David to fulfill this request.
Even at this point, David was still putting on airs, acting as if he hadn’t heard the sarcastic remarks made by the others earlier. He said, "Colby, I apologize for having doubted your grades. It turns out your grades are not abnormal. Rather, the decline in my student’s performance was too obvious. This was my mistake, and I’m sorry. Mr. Perkins, Mr. Fletcher, I assure you that if a similar situation arises in the future, I will not first suspect other students' grades. Instead, I will begin by examining whether there might be an issue with my students. I apologize for taking up your time. As Professor Hacker mentioned, I am indeed very busy and have quite a few research and academic papers to attend to. I will take my leave."
He turned and strode away, showing utter disregard for Lance.
No one could top this level of arrogance and shamelessness.
"His behavior is completely unacceptable!" Derick was so angry that his face turned green. He pointed at David’s departing figure and looked at Lance in exasperation.
Before Lance could speak, Daisy muttered, "I heard that last year’s school Grand Prize signing project was led by you, Delilah. David only signed a Third Prize. You never said you were busy, so why is he putting on airs all the time?"
After muttering to herself, she added, "Could it be that his abilities are lacking, so a Third Prize project alone has kept him so busy? It’s not like he hasn’t produced any notable research results."
Josie thought, ‘Are you seriously saying it out loud like that?’ Josie nearly burst into laughter. She believed that the first research achievement would be released in a month, according to how things went in her previous life.
Currently, David had not obtained any projects that warranted the Grand Prize. It remained uncertain whether his ongoing research projects would yield any results. However, Delilah’s project was certain to yield results, and these results would be available in half a month.
"Professor Hacker, perhaps you could offer fewer comments," Lance was becoming increasingly anxious. He continued, "Now that the exam results are out, there’s no need for everyone to stay here. The school will issue an official announcement soon for Colby. Josie, the post has had its time, so let’s take it down. The school will also cooperate with you in issuing an announcement to ensure that the reputations of you and your colleagues remain unaffected."
Upon observing Lance’s sincere expression, the professors stopped pressing the issue relentlessly. Josie understood that there was still ample time ahead. She never expected to tarnish David’s reputation in a single attempt. Since the school had already made it clear that it would not take David’s side, she decided to stop while she was ahead.
She agreed to take down the betting post.
The next day, the school issued a public notice affirming Colby’s achievement of first place in the grade. However, Aiden was not mentioned at all. It was as if he had been forgotten, and no one remembered that he had once been the top student in the grade.
Next was Josie’s matter. The school first congratulated Josie on achieving good results in the examinations for both majors. Subsequently, the school issued a clear directive prohibiting teachers from abusing their authority and engaging in wagers with students.
Although the announcement did not mention David by name, all teachers and students who had read the post already understood the situation. Those who were initially confused would also understand after making inquiries.
In everyone’s mind, this was regarded as the school’s first public criticism of David. The reputation of this foremost academic professor had suffered an unprecedented blow. His image in the minds of all faculty and students was no longer as lofty and noble. At the very least, it was no longer as unattainable as it once was.