Chapter 81
Madeline and the boys from Phantom Organization went to a restaurant on the back street of their school for a meal. Walking together, the group looked like a beautiful scene from the movie..
Madeline took the menu, looked through it, pointed at several dishes, and asked, “Do any of you have dietary restrictions?”
Gavin propped up whatever you order, Maddie.”
his chin and looked at her with a smile. “No, I’ll ear
“Should I order some grilled peppers for you then?” Madeline responded while glancing at him.
In an instant, Gavin’s smile froze. “I don’t like eating peppers.”
“Then you…” Madeline answered as she tilted her head.
Gavin leaned in closer to her and said, “Okay, fine. My bad. Let me take a look at the menu.”
Suddenly, Madeline’s phone rang-
She answered the phone, and the person on the other end of the line said something.
Madeline smiled faintly. Her subordinate had called to tell her some online rumors.
She listened with great interest, absentmindedly tapping her finger on the menu a couple of times.
“Okay. There’s no need to say too much. I do have the funds to pay for the trending topics.”
With that said, she hung up the phone.
Caleb looked at Madeline and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Harley is famous now. The esteemed professor, and the face of Acocester University’s enrollment promotion. Yet his public image has crumbled, Madeline explained with a smile.
She
poured a glass of water and took a sip. “So, out of goodwill, I’m sponsoring a trending topic.
Caleb raised his eyebrows with chill mockery in his eyes. “So his reputation is ruined?”
He swirled the glass in his hand and quietly picked up his phone to send a message.
The other two had a tacit understanding too.
Madeline happily placed her orders, unaware of their actions.
The school was trying to control the trending topics, frantically deleting posts on Twitter.
However, it was like poking a beehive.
They deleted twenty posts, and suddenly a thousand more appeared.
Moreover, the posts were appearing at a rather alarming rate.
According to trending topic rules, real names and trending topics involving the individual were not allowed to be
revealed.
Therefore, the word “Professor Larson” became a trending topic.
It was even on the top of the trending topics list
Many netizens who joined the discussion mainly criticized Harley.
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One wrote: [Isn’t he just a “professor” who relies on his looks for a living? Impressive! Now regular people don’t need to work hard anymore.]
Another comment read: [What a joke. Can Acocester University say something? They should deal with a person like him immediately!]
[Acocester University may want to protect their precious professor.]
[It’s really sad to see my school making it to the trending topics this way.
When Harley arrived at Acocester University, he received a call from Anthony.
“Mr. Zeigler, give me some time. I can solve this,” Harley said.
“You can’t solve it, Harley. You know I had high hopes for you. There was no anger in Anthony’s tone, only an overwhelming sense of heaviness. “You’re a PhD holder from Acocester University and stayed on as a faculty member after graduating. You’re young and promising. I’ve always focused on nurturing you. But this time, you’ve truly disappointed us. Teaching and educating is not about appearance or fame but your character. You’ve really crossed the line this time. Initially, I thought we could control this matter, and worst–case scenario, you’d be suspended for a month. Then you can return.
Anthony let out a deep sigh and continued, “But now it has become a trending topic. Since it’s affecting the school’s reputation, we have no choice but to dismiss you.”
e stone monument with
Harley was standing on the vast square when he heard those words. He froze and looked at the stone the words “Acocester University” engraved on it.
He stood there alone, looking extremely lonely.
“Mr. Ziegler, this is a misunderstanding. There is no substantial evidence to prove that I’ve done anything.”
their
Anthony did not want to say anything more. “Your reputation is already tarnished. Who would want you teacher? Don’t worry. After some time, you can work in a smaller university in the prefecture–level city. With your ability, you can still….
Harley could not bear to hear the rest.
His face went blank.
Meanwhile, Madeline was at the backstage area, preparing for the freshmen enrollment photo shoot.
She had been tasked with delivering the welcome speech for the Faculty of Management.
Fortunately, with her past as an actress, delivering a speech was not a problem.
Madeline was backstage in the auditorium, murmuring while glancing at her notes. She also stretched her limbs to relieve any unease.
Suddenly, someone rushed in.
He was tall and wore a mask.
Before Madeline could react, she was pulled into the utility room at the back
She stumbled a few steps before regaining her balance. “Who are you?”
Harley took off his mask, his eyes bloodshot, as if he was at his wit’s end.
He rested both hands at Madeline’s side with his head lowered, a few strands of hair hanging over his forehead. “You did it, didn’t you?”
Madeline looked at him impassively and thought, “He looks pathetic. My brother who’s always been a respected professor. Everywhere he went, people adored him, practically idolized him. But now, it’s amusing to see him in this
Chapter 81
state.”
Looking at her faint smile, Harley gritted his teeth and said, “I know you must have played a part in adding fuel to the fire. Let’s end this now. Don’t let the public opinion escalate any further.”
He took a deep breath and paced around. At that moment, the once erudite and talented handsome professor seemed flustered.
He halted, looked at Madeline, and gulped. “I know. We’re sorry for what we did to you, Madeline.”
His tone softened and sounded humble as he continued, “I’ve thought about it carefully. When you were vulnerable. we deprived you of your academic achievements and tried to strip you of your education. It’s my fault. We’re sorry.” Harley sighed and furrowed his brows. “What do you want from me to make amends? Just tell me, as long as you stop stirring up things online.”
Madeline pursed her lips, and her eyes were clear and serene.
Even in the face of her brother, who was at his wit’s end, she was not afraid at all.
For someone who had already lost her life once, she did not fear Harley.
“Make amends? With what will you atone? Why didn’t you show a bit of kindness when you destroyed my life and pushed me to the edge?” she questioned.
Madeline raised her hand and waved dismissively. “Make way. If Caleb and the others discover I’m missing. I assure you, you’ll die miserably.”
Harley held his breath and met Madeline’s gaze.
He did not know why Madeline hated him so much.
It was evident that he did not succeed after changing her credentials.
Moreover, the Larson family were also her blood relatives.
Even the veins on the back of Harley’s hand were throbbing, “Can’t we go back? Even so, we can start over, right? Why do you hate us so much?”
“There’s no going back from the moment you regarded the wrong person with unwarranted importance. Madeline squinted. Her gaze was ice cold as she said, “You want to start over? Haha! Dream on.”
As Madeline walked out of the utility room, she heard his last words.
Harley said, “They’ll harm you. We’re your family!”
Madeline sneered and thought, “Family that ended my life? Well, this is truly a superficial family bond.”
“Harley, you brought this upon yourself.”
After saying that, she strode away without any hesitation.
“So what if his reputation is ruined? I was once a rising star, only to fall from grace. I’m just using their own tactics against them, Madeline muttered.
She went on stage confidently and did not notice a woman holding a large bouquet of fresh flowers and scanning the surroundings at the back of the auditorium.
Layla was anxious. “Why haven’t we seen Madeline yet?”
