Chapter 141
Stellar was utterly speechless.
“When exactly did I bully anyone? If your eyes are failing you, go see an ophthalmologist. If your brain isn’t working, a
psychiatrist might help!”
She fired back without hesitation.
Dawn suddenly seemed to realize the situation had escalated and hurried to explain.
“Mr. Moore, it’s not what you think. I made the mistake. It has nothing to do with Miss Rivers. You’ve misunderstood.”
But the more she tried to smooth things over, the more Percy felt the need to defend her.
“Dawn, you don’t have to cover for her. I saw everything with my own eyes–her throwing her weight around while you kept
begging for forgiveness.
“A cold–hearted woman like that doesn’t deserve your apology.”
That was when it clicked for Stellar.
These two clearly knew each other from before.
Now, she really couldn’t be bothered to argue.
Her patience was wearing thin.
“Percy, what does any of this have to do with you? In what capacity are you questioning me right now?”
Percy let out a cold scoff.
The next second, he suddenly pulled Dawn close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“Then let me make it clear–Dawn is my girlfriend. What, you can have a boyfriend, but I’m not allowed to date?”
He lifted his chin proudly, speaking in a deliberately boastful tone, all while closely watching Stellar’s expression.
He was hoping to catch even a flicker of jealousy, some sign that she cared.
But Stellar only found the whole thing ridiculous.
“Who said you weren’t allowed? You can date as many people as you want. Congratulations, wishing you both a lifetime of happiness. Just stay out of my way.”
With that, she didn’t waste another second on them.
Turning on her heel, she grabbed Stephen and walked off, taking her seat for the symposium without another glance.
Chapter 141
Percy clenched his jaw as he watched her go.
She really didn’t care.
She hadn’t even hesitated.
His chest burned with frustration.
Meanwhile, Dawn finally spoke, her voice slow and deliberate.
+20 Bonus
“Mr. Moore, you don’t have to get into an argument with Miss Rivers on my behalf. But… thank you for standing up for me just
now.”
Then she added with a wry smile, “Though honestly, I really don’t mind apologizing as long as I don’t have to pay for it.”
Even now, her obsession with money remained as strong as ever.
But Dawn didn’t take the “girlfriend” label seriously at all.
If it had been any other woman, she would have been overjoyed, immediately clinging to Percy and trying to secure her place as
his partner.
But Dawn was different.
Percy admired that about her.
At the same time, he felt a twinge of sympathy and tried to console her.
“Don’t take it too hard. At the end of the day, Stellar is just a student, same as you. She’s only here to listen to the lecture. What
makes her so superior? Don’t let her make you feel small. She’s not that special.”
He dismissed Stellar with disdain, as if belittling her could somehow soothe his own bruised pride.
But the very next moment, the distinguished Sean Song on stage suddenly spoke, his voice full of warmth and enthusiasm.
“And now, I’d like to invite a young scholar whom I have great admiration for, Miss Stellar Rivers, to come up and share her
insights. Let’s give her a round of applause.”
The room erupted in applause.
Percy’s smug expression froze instantly.
He was completely dumbfounded.
And he wasn’t the only one–Stellar herself was just as shocked.
She had never expected to be invited to speak at an event like this, let alone by a legend in the academic world.
As she sat there in stunned silence, Stephen gently tapped the back of her hand.
2/3
Chapter 141
“Remember the second document I sent you last night?”
The warmth of his touch sent a sudden jolt through her, like a soft electric current.
Stellar instinctively turned to him, meeting his steady, encouraging gaze.
“Just follow the key points from that file. You know this field inside and out–speak naturally, and you’ll do just fine.”
That was when it hit her.
The material he had sent wasn’t just for general preparation; it had been specifically meant for this moment.
This was an opportunity like never before. A chance for her to break new ground.
