Free Web NovelChapter 274: Chapter 274 The Truth Behind Aster’s Name
“James, what’s gotten into you?” Oliver hadn’t expected James to confront Ryan like that. Now was definitely not the time for internal conflict, so he quickly stepped forward and positioned himself between them.
The matter involving Rose hadn’t even been resolved yet.
There was no reason for them to start fighting among themselves.
James didn’t know what had come over him. Perhaps it was everything that had happened lately that had made him realize just how heartless Ryan had been toward Rose. Inevitably, he found himself feeling an indescribable sympathy for her.
His handsome face tightened slightly. He took a deep breath and stepped back.
He would say nothing more to Ryan.
Instead, he turned his attention to Rose, who stood at the center of the storm.
Oliver quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked at Ryan, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
After all, if Rose were truly found guilty, then everything would really be... over.
Only then did Ryan casually look away. His posture hadn’t changed in the slightest. The hand resting on his lap continued to lazily twirl the metal lighter.
“What’s more, this matter hadn’t settled yet, had it?”
His voice was calm and devoid of emotion.
James said nothing.
He understood all too well.
Ryan was clearly standing by as a spectator, behaving as though the entire matter had nothing to do with him.
As for Rose, after her initial surprise, she had already regained her composure.
She was a smart woman. In only a few moments, she had already figured out where this situation was headed.
This matter...
Was inseparably connected to Samantha.
In fact, Samantha had come prepared.
Today’s event was no ordinary occasion. It was attended by the most respected figures in the entire medical community. If a scandal like this erupted in front of them, Rose’s career—and her exceptional appointment as an associate professor at NYU—could disappear overnight.
Everything she had worked for would vanish.
She would be dragged down from her pedestal and completely destroyed.
Grace frowned.
She couldn’t help glancing at Rose, who still stood there quietly.
She spoke calmly, “The truth must be investigated. We will not wrong anyone, but neither will we tolerate anyone who lacks respect for academic integrity.”
Dr. Nathan, however, set down his teacup and let out a mocking snort. “Since Miss Hill claims she has evidence, then let’s do exactly as she suggests and compare the facts.”
Rose knew countless eyes were fixed on her.
She spoke slowly and clearly. “My thesis was tampered with. I request a formal investigation.”
Hearing that, Samantha let out a derisive laugh. “At a time like this, claiming your thesis was tampered with is certainly a convenient excuse. Waiting until after the comparison to say that only makes you seem... even more guilty.”
She had calculated everything perfectly.
She knew Rose would inevitably claim the paper had been altered.
But under these circumstances...
Who would believe such a flimsy explanation?
People would only believe the evidence before them.
Rose looked at Samantha with a calm, icy gaze.
Samantha stood tall and composed, her posture elegant, her expression filled with disappointment and righteous determination, as though she were sacrificing family ties for the greater good.
Rose suddenly smiled.
She had never imagined this drama would become so spectacular.
A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
Yet that single laugh sent ripples throughout the conference hall.
For Rose—a twenty-seven-year-old professor appointed under exceptional circumstances—her very existence had already been controversial. For every person who admired her achievements, there were just as many who envied and resented them.
Immediately, someone shouted from the crowd, “NYU cannot keep a parasite who has compromised academic ethics! If the accusations are true, Professor Rose should be dismissed immediately!”
“That explains how she became a professor at such a young age. So this is what she’s been doing behind everyone’s backs—even committing academic fraud!”
“Rose must step down!”
“She isn’t worthy of being a role model for students!”
Voices of protest rose one after another.
The crowd became increasingly agitated.
Ryan, however, continued watching Rose with an unreadable gaze.
His fingertip lightly brushed over the indentation where his wedding ring had once rested.
Rose remained calm.
He remained expressionless.
James pressed his lips together and instinctively looked toward Grace and Dr. Nathan.
No matter how this unfolded...
The senior authorities had to speak.
Alicia was so anxious her face turned bright red. “Nothing has been decided yet! Please, everyone, calm down!”
Meanwhile, Caleb’s anger had already subsided.
After hearing Dr. Nathan’s composed response, he knew this situation could no longer truly harm Rose.
Except for one thing.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
A junior from the university had sent him a link.
It was a sensational exposé.
The headline read: "Professor Rose, Promoted Through an Unprecedented Appointment, Allegedly Interferes in the Relationship Between Medical Goddess ’Aster’ and the Heir of Ocean Star Group—Acting as Both Mistress and Homewrecker, With Serious Moral Misconduct!"
Because of her background, Rose was already one of NYU’s most recognizable professors.
The attention surrounding her was enormous.
As soon as the post went online, it exploded across campus.
The discussion spread like wildfire.
Countless vicious comments flooded in.
Caleb’s expression darkened.
At this critical moment, Rose had been accused of plagiarizing Aster’s research.
Now she was simultaneously being exposed as someone who had supposedly destroyed Aster’s relationship.
This was a coordinated attack designed to destroy Rose completely.
Not only would she be expelled from academia...
Her private life would also be dragged through the mud, ruining her reputation from every angle.
It was nothing less than putting her on a stake and burning her alive.
They intended to use Aster’s fame and prestige to turn Rose into the public enemy of the entire medical community.
The post had already gone viral.
Quite a few people present were NYU alumni.
Some had already seen it.
The way they looked at Rose became filled with contempt.
Amid the whispers, accusations continued.
“So she’s the one targeting Aster?”
Samantha naturally sensed the shift in public opinion.
She watched Rose from afar.
A faint smile curved across her lips.
She knew very well.
Rose was finished.
Once today’s accusations were confirmed, Rose’s paper—which had been selected as the best paper of the conference—would be revoked.
Samantha’s paper would naturally move up in the rankings.
She had never worried in the slightest.
Rose’s moment of glory had been nothing more than a brief illusion.
So what if Rose had enjoyed the spotlight?
Now...
Wasn’t everyone trampling her instead?
Without the halo of being NYU’s youngest professor, what right did Rose have to remain proud?
“Medicine is different from every other profession. It concerns countless human lives. In the past, academic fraud has delayed patient treatment and cost innocent people their lives. Therefore, Rose’s misconduct must be dealt with severely.”
Samantha spoke once more.
In her eyes...
Rose’s reputation had already been completely destroyed.
After today’s events, Ryan would accompany her onto the television program.
Today would become the day their relationship was officially acknowledged.
After everything that had happened...
Ryan would undoubtedly distance himself from Rose even further.
The Knight family would reject her completely.
And Samantha would reap all the benefits.
Thinking of that, she turned toward Ryan with a gentle smile.
She slowly raised her hand toward him.
Just then—
An angry voice suddenly rang through the hall.
“You disgrace! Get out of this profession!”
A young man standing among the audience could no longer contain his anger.
Fueled by Samantha’s accusations, he grabbed a thick folder and hurled it at Rose with all his strength.
The hard folder flew through the air.
Rose instinctively raised her arm to shield herself.
Dr. Nathan shot to his feet, slamming his hand onto the table.
But Ryan moved first.
Stepping sideways, he positioned himself directly in front of Rose and raised his arm.
The folder struck his forearm before bouncing to the floor.
Loose papers scattered everywhere.
The entire conference hall fell silent.
Everyone instinctively held their breath.
Rose slowly lowered her arm and looked up.
She frowned at the man standing protectively in front of her.
Ryan remained expressionless.
His refined, handsome features appeared colder than ever.
He merely glanced at Rose before turning toward the student.
“Follow the proper procedures,” he said coldly. “By causing a disturbance here, are you trying to ruin your own future?”
The male student froze instantly.
Samantha’s outstretched hand slowly curled into a fist.
She had never expected Ryan to shield Rose.
Even if it had merely been basic courtesy...
She still couldn’t suppress the resentment rising inside her.
Pressing her lips tightly together, she declared, “I request that Rose be taken away immediately for a full investigation!”
There had already been far too many unexpected developments.
Even Dr. Nathan had finally run out of patience.
His face was icy.
The usual teasing smile had disappeared completely.
He looked directly at Samantha, his gaze so imposing that it sent a chill through the room.
“It seems you’re desperate for an explanation.”
“Very well.”
“I’ll give you one.”
Samantha stiffened.
She couldn’t understand what he meant.
At that moment, Dr. Nathan’s sharp gaze swept across the entire conference hall before settling on Samantha—and then on the male student who had thrown the folder.
His voice rang out loud and clear.
“Rose is my student.”
“She is Dr. Nathan Hale’s direct disciple.”
“And she’s the Aster you’ve all been talking about.”
He paused before asking coldly, “Is that explanation satisfactory?”
