Chapter 272
Zoey said, “According to Colby, students who had originally enrolled in Lawson’s course this semester were reassigned by the university to Professor Hacker’s class at the last minute. Since the university realized that Professor Hacker’s course was over-enrolled, two additional sessions were added to her teaching schedule.”
Zoey held her phone and shared gossip with Josie: “There’s one more thing. You’ll definitely be happy to hear it. Rumor has it that after leaving the Academic Affairs Office that day, Aiden went to a bar, returned to the laboratory drunk, and spent the night sleeping there. Early the next morning, someone saw him and Natalie come out of the room with disheveled clothing. It looked like the two had sex.”
Josie thought, ‘Already? In my previous life, Aiden was only tricked by Natalie into sleeping with her two years later. Aiden is someone who isn’t interested in women. He devotes himself entirely to his academic pursuits, aspiring to secure a place in the field of medical research. He had already succeeded in my previous life, but at the critical moment, Natalie betrayed him and stole all of his research achievements. After that, Natalie became a rising star in the medical field, while he returned to his family’s business, becoming the man supporting Natalie from behind the scenes. I have never known whether Aiden ever regretted it. After all, I never had the chance to ask him in my previous life. Now, I am genuinely curious. Given how traditional Aiden is and how critical he has always been of women, what kind of expression would he have upon learning Natalie’s true identity? I am looking forward to seeing it!’
“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Zoey tapped Josie on the arm. She asked, “Do you think they’re dating? Even if they are, isn’t it a bit too soon? I can’t believe they actually had sex in the lab!”
Zoey’s face showed clear revulsion. She was genuinely disgusted.
“They certainly didn’t have that kind of relationship before!” Josie gave a small laugh. “But maybe they will in the future.”
Zoey was somewhat puzzled. “What do you mean? Could it be that Aiden is interested in Natalie? No wonder he targeted you because of her before!”
Josie gave a sarcastic smile and said, “Affection? Not necessarily. However, they have indeed already had sex. Aiden is rather traditional. Since he’s had sex with her, he’s likely to take responsibility for her.”
Zoey was dying of laughter. “Are you saying he got tricked by Natalie? He really deserves it. Actually, I think they’re quite a good match. One is a hypocrite, the other is a manipulative bitch. They truly deserve each other!”
Josie thought, ‘Oddly enough, it makes sense!’
After this incident, Josie finally enjoyed a few quiet days. She did not even encounter Aiden and his group at school. It was only later that we learned Aiden had not returned to school after that day. Apart from attending classes, Gavin and Vincent spent most of their time in the research center laboratory. They seemed eager to make research achievements. Even Natalie no longer came running to Josie to seek attention.
A week later, Josie received a phone call from Joseph. Joseph informed her that the results of the first phase of research had come out. His paper was already completed, and personnel from the various parties involved in the joint research would get together for a meeting in the afternoon. The research findings would undergo validation and discussion. If the findings were confirmed, his paper could be published very soon.
He said, “Josie, I was able to complete the experiment and obtain research results so quickly thanks to your reminder. I can’t take all the credit for this achievement, so I plan to include your name as a co-author on the paper!”
Josie was deeply moved. She said, “That is entirely unnecessary. This is your research, and I really didn’t do much. It’s enough for my name to appear on the team member list, but I cannot be listed as an author on your paper.”
Initially, Joseph was opposed, but Josie remained insistent, so Joseph had no choice but to yield. He said, “Adeline and I will treat you to a meal another day. I need to go prepare the meeting materials, so I’ll get going now. See you this afternoon!”
Shortly after she hung up the phone, Josie received a message in the group chat about a meeting scheduled for the afternoon. Thinking of the news Joseph had told her, a smile appeared on Josie’s lips. In her previous life, this research achievement had belonged to Gavin.