Elodie popped a piece of chocte from the box and asked, "What''s going on?" "Professor Abbott just made a statement on Verdant University''s public forum. He said Sylvie is no longer his student. Word''s spreading fast-everyone in the field knows by now. Honestly, Sylvie''s reputation has taken a nosedive after this."


    Professor Abbott wasn''t just a colleague; he''d practically watched Elodie grow up in the department. Now, after Sylvie had nearly managed to frame her, it was no wonder he was furious. With Sylvie potentially facing charges, neither the university nor Professor Abbott were about to risk their names by standing by a student at the center of such a scandal.


    Elodie was a little surprised. She''d thought that, after Professor Abbott refused Sylvie in person, things would quietly end there.


    But she hadn''t expected him to publicly announce the severing of ties.


    Even though he didn''t mention any specifics in his post, everyone in the academicmunity knew what had happened. Even if Sylvie was only partly responsible, she''d used VistaLink Technologies of giarism—a line you just don''t cross in research.


    As for Neural Intelligence, their infringement had already been proven and was turning into a full-blown scandal. There was no doubt about how the public would view Sylvie after this.


    It was painfully clear.


    "Verdant University will probably reconsider Sylvie''s admission. After all this, she''s not only facing time but has lost almost everything," Alexander said with a cold chuckle, clearly thinking she''d brought it on herself.


    "I heard something today from Mr. Ableson," he went on. "Because of this whole fiasco with Neural Intelligence-especially after their new system infringed on our VistaLink Technologies-everypany that just started working with them is now pulling out. Neural Intelligence breached contracts and caused losses, so now they''ll have to pay damages to all their former partners."


    In other words, Neural Intelligence was about to be bled dry.


    The losses were staggering.


    Elodie had known from the start that, if she hadn''t stepped up, Sylvie would havee after her even harder, trying to bury her inwsuits. In her desperation, Sylvie had left too many loose ends.


    So, really, she had only herself to me.


    Alexander was in high spirits. "ire''s booked a table. Let''s go have lunch and celebrate!"


    With so much good news, he almost wanted to hire someone to set off fireworks outside Neural Intelligence''s office.


    Elodie nodded.


    They headed downstairs together.


    Just as they reached the door, they spotted Grady storming toward them, his expression thunderous.


    Elodie slowed, eyes narrowing with a chill.


    Grady blocked their path, anger radiating off him as he red at Elodie. "Was this your doing? Did you push Professor Abbott to cut ties with Ms. Fielding?"


    Elodie let out a coldugh.


    So he''de to y the righteous avenger.


    "And who are you to judge?" she shot back. In the past, she''d tolerated Grady out of respect for Esmeralda, but if he was going to rush in blindly "for love" and start throwing usations, why bother being polite?


    Alexander frowned, his tone mocking. "Mr. Mercer, the way you''re acting, anyone would think you were Sylvie''s boyfriend. You seem to care more than the real one."


    Grady''s face flushed, but he quickly recovered, his voice taking on an even sharper edge as he looked at Elodie. "Am I wrong? Elodie, do you even realize how disgraceful you''re being how cruel it is to backa girl into a corner, ruin her reputation, and scheme to have Professor Abbott cut her off? Isn''t that a bit vicious?"


    How helpless Sylvie must be?


    Ice crept across Elodie''s face. For the first time in her life, she found herself genuinely angry, her reply cutting and merciless. "You''re


    defending her? Where were vol


    when Neural Intelligence was going after VistaLink Technologies? That''s thepany your own sister helped build, and yet here you are, picking sides like you know what''s right. Honestly, if you took off your hat, it''d make a fine dog bowl-with how well you grovel, it''s only fitting."


    Grady was taken aback, stung by the way Elodie had stripped away his pretenses and called him out—not just for ignoring Esmeralda, but for being, well, a lovesick


    fool.


    He instinctively reached out, grabbing for Elodie''s arm. "Elodie, watch your mouth. Don''t be so crude. You need to "


    He never finished the sentence.


    Before he could touch her, someone


    seized his shoulder from behind-a


    silent, crushing grip that made his


    bones creak. A man''s cold voice sounded from just behind him. Mr. Mercer, are you really about toy hands on a woman?"