Chapter 60: Nowadays You Have Learned to Deceive and Cheat
"You guys were classmates with Emily before, right?" Kurt shot back, glaring at the person who spoke up for Emily.
"Yeah, Mr. Lowe," Erik nodded.
Kurt sneered, turning his mocking gaze to Eli. "You heard them, right? Emily's not being rebellious. She's at a crucial stage in her experiment. If you really care about her, don't interrupt now. Just leave. Or else, don't blame me if I call security and make you a trending topic: 'Dad Plays Favorites, Blames Daughter, Brings Bodyguards to School to Drag Her Away!'"
Eli faced Kurt's threat head-on.
Seeing so many classmates vouching for Emily, Eli realized arguing further wouldn't help him get her out of there today.
Just then, Eli's phone rang.
It was Isaac calling.
"Hey, Isaac... Okay, I'll be right there," he said urgently, hearing it was about the company.
After hanging up, he gave everyone a long look, waved his hand, and quickly left with his bodyguards.
"They're gone! They're gone!"
Sophia had been watching from the window. Seeing Eli leave, she excitedly announced.
Emily had just finished filling out her data and jotting down some theoretical notes. Hearing Sophia, she packed up her things and stood. "Let's get out of here too!"
"Okay." Sophia followed, feeling like she could barely keep up with Emily's pace.
When Emily got downstairs, Kurt was about to head up. She handed him the documents. "This should keep everyone busy for a while. I'll be tied up the next few days, so I won't be coming to the lab."
Kurt quickly scanned the documents and immediately lit up with excitement.
"Awesome, I'll call you if anything comes up." His mind was already on the experiment, eager to verify the data and theories.
Emily nodded, and Kurt hurried off with the documents.
Erik and his group saw Emily, who didn't even want to see her father Eli. They thought they'd find another chance to apologize to her and were about to leave.
But then they saw her coming downstairs.
Erik and his friends rushed forward. "Emily, we're really sorry for the misunderstanding and the whole campus forum thing. Please forgive us for our biased beliefs back then."
"Emily, we're really sorry."
Everyone else bowed and apologized sincerely.
In the corner, Bianca watched everything, her eyes filled with resentment toward Emily.
She froze for a moment, realizing how much Emily had changed.
The old Emily was insecure, thin, and timid without any presence.
Now, she radiated confidence and beauty, even overshadowing Bianca.
Bianca's eyes grew darker with anger.
No, all the glory, praise, and attention should belong to her.
Emily, someone found in a trash heap, should only be her tool.
As Bianca thought about this, her chest tightened, and she couldn't help but press her hand to her chest, breathing heavily.
Unbeknownst to her, Emily's sharp senses detected Bianca's hostile gaze.
Emily's eyes shot towards where Bianca stood, catching a glimpse of a skirt.
Recognizing the color and fabric, she immediately knew it was Bianca.
Emily's eyes flashed with determination.
Then, she regained her calm and looked at Erik and the others. "Do you think your mistake is only about the campus forum incident?"
Her words made some of them lower their eyes in guilt.
In the past, because of Bianca, they had looked down on Emily, speaking to her in mocking tones.
Though not as severe as the recent forum incident, it had pushed Emily to change her major.
"Emily, we may have misunderstood you in the past, thinking you bullied Bianca without verifying it. That was wrong. We'll remember this lesson and won't make the same mistake again. We're sorry!"
One person stepped up, genuinely apologizing, hinting at Bianca's involvement.
Others reflected and realized their negative impressions of Emily stemmed from Bianca.
Being Celestial University students, they weren't foolish and recognized the root of the problem.
They apologized to Emily again.
Sophia wanted to retort, but Emily stopped her.
Emily's expression was indifferent. "If apologies were enough, we wouldn't need the police. Forgiveness? I can't do that. Anyway, we won't be in the same class anymore. You can leave."
The suffering and humiliation she endured, they had a part in it.
Living a new life, she wanted to follow her heart and be willful. If she didn't want to forgive, she wouldn't.
She had achieved her goal anyway.
Bianca must be furious after hearing this.
But the skirt was gone, and Emily didn't care if Bianca had left.
She walked past Erik and the others, taking Sophia with her.
Emily received a call from Floyd.
"Are you free now? I have a patient with a special condition. Can you come over?"
On the other end, the esteemed Floyd spoke kindly and cautiously to Emily.
Emily thought for a moment, having no other urgent matters. "Sure, I'll come over."
"Great, I'll be waiting," Floyd replied, sounding as happy as a child.
After hanging up, Emily saw Sophia still following her.
Remembering her promise to Sophia, she said, "Before your competition, I promised to take you to meet someone. But I need to return from Emberfall City first."
"What are you going to Emberfall City for?" Sophia asked curiously.
She didn't press further about who Emily would introduce her to, trusting it might be someone important.
"I have some business, but I can't tell you yet. Are you busy now? If not, I need your help with something."
"Emily, whatever you need, I'm on it," Sophia replied eagerly.
Emily nodded, taking out a bottle of medicine from her bag. "Please take this to the orphanage and have the director give it to Liam. It will help with his congenital condition."
Sophia was surprised Emily had time to help the orphanage.
Being kind-hearted, she immediately agreed. "Don't worry, Emily. I'll take care of it."
Emily felt relieved.
After parting with Sophia, she took a cab to Floyd's place.
Arriving at the pharmacy, an employee recognized her and led her to the back room.
"Emily, come and see," Floyd said, leading her inside.
Emily entered and met the gaze of the person inside.
"What are you doing here?" the man immediately asked, his face darkening.
Floyd frowned, displeased with the man's reaction, and stood up for Emily. "This is the doctor I told you about, Emily."
"Her?" The man laughed coldly, looking at Emily with disdain. "So you've learned to deceive people now?"