Chapter 17
When it came to sharp–tongued remarks, Victor was unmatched, leaving no room for pleasantries.
Yvonne’s face turned crimson as she was rendered speechless by his blunt dismissal, and even Jonathan was momentarily
stunned into silence.
However, Victor paid them no further attention and turned to Jasper. “Jasper, weren’t you just saying you wanted to meet the
investor who would invest one hundred million dollars into my project? Well, here he is!”
His expression was indignant as he patted Claude on the shoulder. “And if a mere two million dollars can bar Stellar from
returning to this school, then surely one hundred million dollars can ensure people like this…” His disdainful gaze flicked to
Yvonne, and he enunciated slowly, “…are banned from ever setting foot on this campus again.”
For a moment, the entire room fell into stunned silence.
All eyes turned to Claude, their disbelief evident. A man this young and polished had casually invested one hundred million
dollars? Who was he?
However, Yvonne barely registered the collective shock, Victor’s pointed words hit her squarely, and her expression darkened as
she clenched her fists tightly.
How could this be? Why was that insufferable old man so biased toward Stellar?
She glared at Claude, determined to poke holes in his allegiance. There was no way he hadn’t doubted Stellar after the things she
had said the other day. He must be blind to have been fooled by her charming facade.
Fueled by jealousy and indignation, Yvonne stepped forward, raising her voice in desperation.
“Professor Stone, Sir, don’t let yourselves be deceived by her! Stellar has no integrity. She tried to seduce my fiancé, and when that didn’t work, she jumped between several men. Her so–called return to school and joining your project has nothing to do with
professional dedication.
“She’s just after your reputation and connections, hoping to use you to gild her image! She hasn’t even practiced her field in years. She’s completely washed up! Allowing her into the project would only ruin the school’s reputation!”
Jonathan blinked in surprise. He trusted Yvonne, but even he hadn’t expected her to unleash such venom in front of everyone. His brows furrowed involuntarily as a faint discomfort settled in his chest.
Something about this felt off.
Victor had no patience for Yvonne’s blatant slander of the student he once regarded so highly.
He scoffed, throwing all decorum to the wind.
“Utter nonsense! Our Stellar is stunning–men flock to her, not the other way around. Over the years, she’s collected more awards than you have fingers, and her brilliant mind could crush you, an empty–headed, third–rate actress, into dust.
+20 Bonus
“And even if she wanted to ‘take advantage‘ of my reputation, so what? I’m happy to let her. Who are you to tell me how to do my job?”
Yvonne’s face twisted with humiliation.
Since returning to the Harlow family, she had never been treated with such disdain and never been humiliated so publicly. It felt
as though her dignity was ground into the dirt, leaving her burning with shame and rage.
Meanwhile, Stellar stood quietly, her misty eyes brimming with emotion. Her heart swelled with gratitude. She thought her departure years ago had left her mentor bitterly disappointed in her. Yet here he was, still defending her with unwavering loyalty.
It was at this moment that she resolved to prove herself more than ever.
Her gaze shifted to Claude, warmth and gratitude spreading through her chest. He told her time and again to come to him if she
faced trouble, but her pride had kept her from relying on him.
Now, seeing the way he silently supported her, she realized how much he truly cared.
A loud clearing of the throat interrupted her thoughts. Jasper stood off to the side, visibly flustered, his forehead glistening with
sweat. He looked as though he was swallowing a bitter pill.
Internally, he was berating himself. “What on earth was I thinking? The two–million–dollar investment almost made me offend at
one–hundred–million–dollar benefactor!”
