Madison murmured, “That Yasmine woman… you can’t take her simply.”

“What do you mean?” Miranda asked.

“When I received my graduate admission letter, I joined the new student group chat,” Madison explained. “Everyone kept talking about Yasmine.”

She was a top student at their university. Although her GPA hadn’t met the direct admission standard, she’d published six SCI papers during her undergrad years, so the college made an exception and accepted her.

People called her a “genius” and an “academic rising star.”

“Oh, so this is the famous Dr. Young. I’ve heard so much about you,” one of the male students in the group said with a grin, but his tone was far from respectful.

Madison frowned. “That’s Hank, the leader of our group chat. He’s always online and has a sharp tongue.”

As Hank spoke, Sophie directed her other students, “Why are you all just standing there? Greet Dr. Young.”

Yasmine sneered but said nothing. Her reputation preceded her, and her arrogance matched it.

Meanwhile, Willow nodded politely. True to her gentle name, she smiled sweetly, and her voice was soft and melodic. “Hello, Dr. Young.”

Tina, on the other hand, looked visibly uncomfortable. In the past, she’d gone to great lengths to curry favor with Christine – visiting her, bringing gifts, almost treating her like a deity.

Now, she stood on Sophie’s side, fully aware of how she’d secured her spot in the graduate program through gifts rather than qualifications. She knew Christine had seen right through her, which made facing her all the more daunting.

Her eyes avoided direct contact at all cost.

Theodore, however, broke the tension. He stepped forward excitedly and grabbed Christine’s hand tightly. “Dr. Young! My name is Theodore Zeller! I’ve read your papers and watched your lectures. I never imagined I’d get to meet you in person today. I’m so excited…”

His excitement was genuine; he spoke breathlessly as his entire body trembled, and his eyes shone with admiration.

Christine, caught off guard, smiled and gently shook his hand in return. “Hello, Theodore.”

The young man’s tanned face flushed with color, and he scratched his head, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth.

He was tall, around six feet one inch, dressed simply in a worn T-shirt and shorts, and wore leather sandals. He looked both sturdy and endearing when he smiled.

Hank quickly intervened, pushing him aside. “Get out of the way, you country bumpkin! You’re embarrassing us!”

But Theodore seemed unaffected by Hank’s rudeness, still basking in the joy that Christine had called out his name.

Sophie’s expression soured. One of her students openly fawning over her rival was akin to public humiliation.

However, she quickly composed herself and resumed her pleasant demeanor. “Dr. Young, aren’t you going to introduce your students?”

Christine had no intention of indulging her.

Sensing an opportunity, Hank pressed further. “Yeah, Dr. Young, it’s your turn.”

With a cold face, Christine replied, “We aren’t in the same research group, so there’s no need.”

Before Sophie could respond, Hank jumped in, “Is it that there’s no need, or you just don’t have anyone worth showing?”

“You—” Madison’s eyes widened in anger. “You can’t expect anything decent to come out of a dog’s mouth!”

“Better a dog than a fat pig,” Hank retorted.

Madison froze, stunned. While she knew she was on the heavier side, no one had ever insulted her to her face like that.

Miranda’s expression turned icy. “It seems your students aren’t that impressive either, Dr. Xander. Spewing insults and resorting to personal attacks – such poor conduct.

“There’s a saying that rings true, you know. Birds of a feather flock together. Clearly, corruption in leadership trickles down.”