Chapter 71

An awkward look flickered across Wilson’s face. He had originally planned to complain about Rhett. After all, Ezin was concerned about keeping up the family reputation. She would surely be displeased with the younger generation’s lack of manners. It was wrong to harm someone who was courteous. And, more importantly, the dead deserved respect. As one of Edgar’s former students, he did nothing wrong by showing up to pay his respects.

Clearly, he’d overestimated the grace of the Wilder family. With people like this at the helm, they were bound to fall sooner or later. He’d be waiting for the day Erin came asking him for help.

Wilson frowned. “I mean no harm, but I just wanted to remind you that Luna’s been studying cell biology for four years. Switching to acupuncture isn’t going to be easy for her. The Wilder family has always valued its reputation. So, please, don’t tarnish Mr. Wilder Senior’s legacy.”

Erin scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm and contempt. “So, in your eyes, reputation matters more than the students themselves. No wonder my dad had the foresight to kick you out. Your self-righteousness makes you the true disgrace to our school.”

“As a professor, if she wants to learn, I’ll teach her to the best of my ability. As for how far she can go, that’s not for you to worry about.”

Wilson felt a sharp pang in his chest. Severing ties with Edgar was the biggest regret of his life. Though it wasn’t his choice at the time, it had still left its mark. If it hadn’t been for his academic achievements, he would have been kicked out of the administration long ago because of that incident.

Wilson was about to argue back when the door behind Erin suddenly swung open. Rhett stood in the doorway. “Aunt Erin, why are you even wasting your breath on him?”

There was no point in wasting time on such a person. Rhett’s gaze was icy, sending a chill down Wilson’s spine. Wilson turned and left in a hurry, his steps more than a little flustered.

Erin chuckled. “Rhett, you’re amazing. You even dared to confront a professor. So, you’re the one who kept him from showing up at your grandfather’s funeral, too?”

Rhett didn’t deny it. “I saw him lecturing Luna, so I stepped in and said a few words. Who knew he’d be so easily agitated?”

“Well said.” Erin clearly didn’t care what Rhett had said to Wilson. As far as she was concerned, keeping him away from the Wilder residence was the right call.

That night, Luna returned to the dorm planning to study more. The semester had only just begun, but acupuncture was a whole new world compared to what she’d studied before.

Just past 11:00 pm the night before, while Luna was still burning the midnight oil, Jade let out a yawn. “Luna, how about I go with you tomorrow and help out? You’re juggling competition prep and learning something totally new. It’s so tiring.”

Luna’s eyes brightened. “You said it! No take-backs! I’m messaging Rhett and Suzie now.”

In an instant, she sent a message to the group chat and added Jade.

The next morning, as she was getting ready to head to the lab, Luna noticed something odd. There was another new member in the group chat.

Before she could ask, Jade hopped down from the top bunk. “I’ve got no classes this morning. Let’s go!”

“Alright.” Luna put away her phone and headed to the campus cafeteria with Jade.

To get there, they had to pass by the resource center. Jade tilted her chin in that direction. “Hey, isn’t that Mia? What’s she doing at the resource center this early?” Luna followed her gaze and locked eyes with Mia, who was carrying a stack of materials.

Mia flashed them a sweet smile. “Good morning, Jade and Luna!”

“Morning.” Luna nodded politely, then tugged Jade toward the cafeteria.

Jade clicked her tongue. “She really does have a sweet smile.”

Luna smirked slightly. “She certainly does. It’s not just her smile. Her voice is also quite lovely. She has that innate quality that draws people to her.” Otherwise, she wouldn’t have all the professors and seniors practically orbiting around her.

If Luna’s observations were accurate, the materials Mia was holding resembled a set of graduate school preparation questions. It appeared that the responsibility of assisting Russell with his research had now officially fallen to Mia.