Chapter 109 It’s All in the Past Now
Chapter 109 It’s All in the Past Now
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Tracy turned to sp Phoebe’s hands. “Professor Dinwiddie, I appreciate your kindness, but I’m really fine. I was spacing out because I was wondering if your resignation had anything to do with me.”
The president of the university had already issued an announcement clearing Phoebe’s name. Aspensation, the president had promised her other benefits. There was truly no need for her to resign.
Knowing she would me herself, Phoebe quickly reassured her, “Don’t overthink it. I didn’t resign because of you, but because of myself.”
She sighed. “A university should be a ce to nurture talent, not a breeding ground for power and money. I became a teacher out of a love for art. That university no longer suits me.”
Tracy could tell she meant every word.
Losing an excellent teacher like Phoebe was the university’s loss.
Tracy didn’t pursue the topic further and instead took out one of her recent paintings for Phoebe to look at.
It felt as if they had gone back to two years ago, before anything had happened.
When Trina came in, she happened to see that very scene.
It feels like forever <i>since </i><i>Mom </i><i>has </i><i>been </i><i>this </i><i>rxed</i>.
Ever since bing a professor, she had been busy every day with all kinds of academic matters, often angered by students who acted out under the banner of art. Especially after what happened with Tracy, there had always been a hint of worry on her face.
She had almost forgotten how carefree and unburdened her mother had been when she was immersed in the world of art.
Trina knew her mother well. She knew that although Phoebe now appeared to have let everything go, deep down she still felt guilty for not being able to help Tracy and for losing the hard–won evidence.
This was something that might haunt her mother for the rest of her life.
Because of this, Trina had stolen nces at Tracy several times, wanting to say something but holding back.
9:23 Sat, <b>Sep </b><b>6 </b>G
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Chapter 109 It’s All in the Past Now
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It wasn’t until after she walked Tracy to the door that she finally asked, “About the giarism incident, are you really nning to just let it go?”
Tracy had long noticed Trina’s nces, but since she hadn’t spoken, she hadn’t asked.
She hadn’t expected Trina to bring up this matter.
Tracy stayed silent for a moment, then said only, “It’s all in the past now.”
All she wanted now was to survive. Whether or not she had truly let go of the past, it no longer mattered.
Trina seemed to hear the deeper meaning in her words. She opened her mouth to speak but ultimately chose silence.
With Phoebe’s matter resolved, it felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from Tracy’s heart.
But another weight still hung over her heart–Walter, who had promised to be back before Franklin’s birthday, had suddenly be unreachable.
Just the day before yesterday, Tracy had spoken with Walter on the phone. He had said he was already on his way back and would arrive noter than the following day.
But two days had passed, and not only had Walter failed to return, but she still couldn’t reach him at all.
The unease Tracy had been forcing down surged back, but she made herself hide it so Franklin wouldn’t notice.
When Franklin asked her why Walter still hadn’t returned, she made up an excuse to reassure him. “I spoke with Walter on the phone. He’s already on the way. He’ll go straight to the hotelter.”
Franklin seemed more amused than angry. “That old geezer… when he was young, the one thing he hated most was beingte, I didn’t expect him to be so unpunctual at this age.”
He nced at the other new outfit ced beside him. “Tracy, put this away. If that old geezer dares not show up, he’s not getting this outfit!”
He acted as if it didn’t matter, but Tracy knew he was only speaking out of frustration.
Having been by Franklin’s side for so many years, she knew Walter was neverte for anything, especially not for something as important as Franklin’s birthday party.
<b>9:23 </b><b>Sat</b>, <b>Sep </b><b>6 </b>B..
Chapter 109 It’s All in the Past Now
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If he still hadn’t shown up by now, it was likely something had dyed him.
Tracy knew Franklin wouldn’t admit it, but he was worried too.
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“Grandpa, go on ahead to the hotel. I’ll call Walter and see where he is, then have him put on the new outfit when he gets here.”
Tracy picked up the new outfit beside her with one hand and held her phone in the other as she walked out.
She had already called Walter countless times in the past two days without sess. This time was no different.
The cold, mechanical auto–reply made her heart sink.
Walter had brought several men with him. If something really had happened, there should have been some news by now.
<i>Maybe</i><i>… </i><i>maybe </i><i>he </i><i>was </i><i>just </i><i>caught </i><i>up </i><i>in </i><i>something and </i><i>couldn’t </i><i>get </i><i>away </i><i>for </i><i>the </i><i>moment</i>. Maybe <i>nothing </i><i>had </i><i>happened </i><i>to </i><i>him</i><i>! </i>
Clinging <i>to </i>that thought, Tracy kept calling.
But no matter how many times she tried, there was still no answer.
As time passed, the lively sounds from inside the hotel began to spill out, but she still couldn’t reach Walter.
After hesitating for a long while, she finally turned back toward the hotel.
If something had happened to Walter, she needed to tell Grandpa right away.
But when she saw Franklin leaning on his cane, chatting spiritedly with others and not even sitting in his wheelchair, she froze in ce.
Today is Grandpa’s birthday, and he’s been happily <i>anticipating </i>it for so long. If he finds out that <i>Walter </i>might be in trouble, will his body be able to take it?