Chapter 84: Celebrating It With Sebastian

At the campus gates, Fiona blubbered and could barely remain steady on her feet while Jillian supported her. Watching Sebastian’s retreating figure, Madelyn couldn’t help but giggle inwardly. Speaking of it, being able to steal a kiss from him is worth even a few more drops of oil splatter!

Subsequently, the two of them had dinner together. Although Madelyn didn’t manage to cook the potatoes, the few dishes she prepared earlier were enough for them both. At the sight of the delectable spread before her, she picked up her fork, in a great mood then.

“Sebastian, I made all this. Dig in. If you find any food not to your liking or too salty or bland, let me know, and I’ll fine-tune it next time.”

Upon hearing that, Sebastian couldn’t help but take a long look at her before nodding in response. As they ate, not only did Sebastian refrain from finding fault with the food, but he also silently polished off every dish on the table. Observing it all, Madelyn felt a surge of warmth suffuse her, and she felt happy from the depths of her heart.

Following that, the two of them headed upstairs to wash up and sleep. However, Sebastian still went to sleep in the guest room. Madelyn didn’t pressure him, knowing that he would return to their room again when he was willing to do so. Reflecting on the events of the day, she found herself sleeping soundly that night.

The following day, Sebastian headed off to the office early in the morning. Madelyn also made her way to campus. As soon as she arrived at campus, she heard that something had happened.

“Have you heard? Ever since Jillian was expelled, her mother lost her mind. She came and is causing quite a scene at the office!”

“For real? Come, let’s go and watch the show.”

Upon hearing that, Madelyn wondered inwardly, “Why is Fiona here?” Consequently, she couldn’t help but quicken her pace.

At that moment, Fiona was kicking up a fuss in Ruth’s office. She was just short of turning the world upside down.

“Professor Pierson, you can’t do this to my daughter! I don’t believe that my daughter would do such a thing!”

Nudging her gold-rimmed glasses up, Ruth grumbled inwardly. "These two women are utterly bothersome, constantly stirring up trouble all day!"

She said unceremoniously, “Ma’am, I understand your feelings. No mother can accept or is willing to believe that her child would do such a disgraceful thing. However, the entire campus bore witness to this. Your daughter isn’t only a wealthy man’s sugar baby. She also openly seduced male students. It’s common knowledge now, so what else is there to say?” She spoke as if everything she said was a matter of fact.

At the side, Jillian couldn’t help but argue, “Professor Pierson, you’re lying. It was those few boys who forcefully dragged me off, intending to assault me sexually. After I managed to escape, they banded together and framed me. But what did you do? You only believed their side of the story and covered up for them. I’m the victim here, but you favor them. I have only one question for you. Where are your ethics as a teacher?”

Upon hearing that, Ruth instantly flew into a rage out of embarrassment. “Shut up, Jillian!”

“Why should I? I’ve spoken nothing but the truth. You accused me unjustly, yet you deny me the right to defend myself? I am the sole hope of my family. How could I possibly do such a disgraceful thing, destroying myself and my family?” Jillian protested assertively. In truth, she was never one to engage in disputes in the past. But this time, her family was on the brink of ruin as well. Voicing her grievances was the only thing she could do.

“I swear I’ve never seduced anyone, and I’m no promiscuous woman! Yet, my innocence was tarnished by you filthy lot by your irresponsible words!”

Hearing that, the students peering in from outside the window couldn’t help but shudder inwardly.

Fiona finally broke down in tears, her face flushed red. “My daughter has always loved studying since she was a child, well-behaved and sensible. After expending much effort, she was accepted into a prestigious university. She’s also now been nurtured into a talent. How could you ruin her just like this?”

Ruth felt very much guilty. Nonetheless, she still asserted sternly, “Don’t make it sound as if I’ve ruined you both. I merely handled this matter impartially. Don’t misunderstand!”

“Hah! Misunderstand?” Jillian snorted. “Do you know yourself whether it’s a misunderstanding or if it was handled impartially?”

The dispute continued, and so the situation escalated infinitely. By the time Madelyn arrived at the scene, she noticed that even the university president, Gerald Winston, had been alarmed. At that moment, the office was bustling. Apart from Gerald, various faculty heads and Fiona were in there.

Just then, Fiona suddenly bent her knees and knelt on the ground. As she spoke, she made to prostrate herself on the ground. Jillian quickly stopped her from doing so. Her eyes red-rimmed, she declared, “Mom, I didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t kneel and prostrate yourself before them. They’re unworthy of it!”

Right then, Gerald was still unaware of the situation. Seeing that someone knelt before him as soon as he arrived, he couldn’t help but bark furiously, “What on earth is going on here?”

At the side, Ruth immediately began to instigate things. “Mr. Winston, let me tell you about it. Jillian here violated the rules of the campus. Not only is she someone’s sugar baby out there, but she’s also been openly seducing male students on campus for money…”

After listening to her explanation, Gerald quickly believed her words. When he turned to the mother and daughter on the ground, his gaze was promptly a mix of sympathy and disdain.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but our campus doesn’t accept students with such despicable behavior. Therefore, I must ask you both to leave.”

Listening from behind, Ruth instantly broke into a triumphant smile. At that moment, Madelyn witnessed it all outside the door and was filled with immense rage. How despicable! How does Ruth even qualify to be a teacher?

Indeed, she currently had a video that could undoubtedly prove Jillian’s innocence. Releasing a video publicly at this point would also serve as a lesson to those boys. But that was far from enough. She stared at Ruth with intense loathing. "I’ll never allow her off the hook!"

Following that, she simply couldn’t bear to watch any longer. So, she turned around and left.

In the office, Fiona was taken aback at that moment. She never expected that even Gerald would be incapable of distinguishing right from wrong and instantly flew into a rage.

“What a piece-of-trash of a campus! The lot of you ruined my daughter! I despise you all! You’ll get what’s coming to you!”

“What nonsense! Quick, escort them out of the campus!” Gerald hastily instructed the people nearby. Following that, Fiona and Jillian were promptly kicked out of campus. Both of their eyes were red and swollen.

“Jillian, why is our life so difficult? Heavens, please look upon us, Jillian is our family’s only hope now…” Devastated, Fiona clutched Jillian’s hand. She was so frail that it appeared as though she might collapse at any moment. Jillian was also stricken. “Mom, please don’t cry yourself sick.”

However, tears poured down Fiona’s face continually like a faucet. “Jillian, I let you down in this matter. I’m useless and failed to protect you. I’m sorry…”

Upon hearing that, Jillian immediately shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. “Don’t say that, Mom. You worked hard to raise me, and it hasn’t been easy for you. If anything, I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve let you down.”

“Oh, Jillian!”

For a moment, both of them broke down. Consumed by unbearable pain, they hugged each other tightly. Witnessing that scene from afar, Madelyn’s nose stung, and her heart clenched. And so, she quickened her pace forward toward them.

“Mrs. Lynch, Jillian, are you two okay?” Madelyn asked softly upon approaching them.

Upon hearing her voice, Fiona and Jillian dropped their holds around each other. “Madelyn, why are you here?” At the sight of Madelyn, Jillian finally stopped crying.

Madelyn let out a sigh. “Jillian, Mrs. Lynch, I’ve learned about what happened. How despicable! I was with Jillian at the time, but they dared twist the truth like this!” The recollection of Ruth throwing her weight around made her feel extremely displeased.

At that precise moment, Fiona suddenly stepped forward tearfully and grasped her hands tightly. “Madelyn, didn’t you say you had a way to prove Jillian’s innocence? I’m begging you here today. Please help her so she can go back to campus! I’ll kneel to you here. I beg you! Jillian’s future can’t be ruined just like this!” As she spoke, she bent her knees to kneel on the ground.

Madelyn was taken aback. She quickly reached out and supported Fiona. “Mrs. Lynch, please don’t do this. Jillian and I are friends. It’s only right that I help her.” A wave of melancholy inevitably washed over Madelyn.

She quickly shook her head. “Mrs. Lynch, don’t worry. Jillian is innocent. I will definitely clear her name! How about this? Give me three days, okay? When the time comes, I will prove that Jillian was accused and make the campus apologize to her!” When she said that, her attitude was incredibly sincere and resolute. Ruth had crossed the line, and she was genuinely furious this time.

“Madelyn, I’m truly grateful that you’re willing to help!” Immediately, Fiona wiped away her tears, looking at Madelyn as if she had seen a glimmer of hope. Jillian also felt much comforted. However, she was still somewhat worried.

“But Madelyn, we don’t have any evidence. How could we prove my innocence? There’s no surveillance cameras or the sort in such a place,” Jillian said worriedly.

Naturally, Madelyn had thought of that from the very beginning. Thus, she looked at Jillian with absolute certainty. “Don’t worry, I have a way to handle this. You guys rest at home first for the next few days. Once everything is resolved, I will get in touch with you.”

Jillian looked at Madelyn, warmth suffusing her. With a slight nod, she replied, “Then, we’ll head back first and wait for your good news.”

“Okay. Be careful on your way back.” After Madelyn had said that, she watched them leave.

When they had gone a distance, Madelyn took a deep breath and returned to the classroom to continue studying. At that moment, the classroom was extremely noisy. All the students were avidly talking about Jillian. Some of them lamented the fate of the once innocent and academically gifted girl for having been reduced. Others mocked her, saying that one couldn’t judge a book by its cover, feeling that she brought it all upon herself and deserved what she got. Only a few were quite saddened by the loss of a classmate.

Listening to all the talk, Madelyn only felt irritated. "Hah! They’re just kicking someone who’s down. These fence-sitters are truly sickening!" And so, she packed up her books with a cold expression on her face and went straight home.

She hummed while baking, seemingly in a good mood. At that moment, Lydia walked in. Seeing her baking, she asked, “Mrs. Lockhart, today is your birthday. How do you plan on celebrating it?”

Hearing that, Madelyn smiled and replied unhurriedly, “I’m naturally celebrating it with Sebastian.”

Upon hearing that, Lydia was somewhat taken aback. “But, Mrs. Lockhart, wouldn’t it be too dull? Would you like to throw a party or something?” Hasn’t Mrs. Lockhart always been fond of lively places in the past?

Unexpectedly, Madelyn answered firmly, “There’s no need to go to such trouble. I think the most important thing about celebrating a birthday is to be happy. As long as I’m with Sebastian, I’m happy. So, I’ll make a cake or something. Then, we’ll blow out the candles and make a wish together. Keeping it simple and sweet is nice, too." She spoke with delight in her voice.

Upon hearing that, Lydia was very much gratified. It seems that Mrs. Lockhart has changed for real. Even her temperament is vastly different from before.

Just then, Madelyn suddenly looked at her with a smile. “By the way, Lydia, you work quite hard usually. How about I give you a couple of days off? You can go back and visit your family or even go on a trip. I’ll cover all the expenses. But… during these few days, could you please try not to stay at home?”

Hearing that, Mrs. Lee was initially taken aback. Subsequently, she chuckled. “Sure.” Ah, Mrs. Lockhart wants to have some alone time with Mr. Lockhart! I’m up in years, so I’m naturally not going to be the third wheel. I’ll give them some space to enjoy their romance.

At six in the evening, Madelyn was finally done. She placed all the pastries she made into the freezer compartment. At that moment, a call came in from Janessa. Madelyn casually answered it.

“Madelyn, where are you? We’re almost ready here, so hurry over. Everyone’s waiting for you.” When Janessa spoke, there was loud music playing in the background.

"Hmm, she must already be in the private room by now." After giving it some thought, Madelyn replied nonchalantly, “Okay. I’ll be there shortly.”