“Will the school accept my explanation?” she said calmly.
“The school will certainly consider it,” Benjamin replied, his hand resting on the table, tapping it now and then. It seemed like he was subtly exerting pressure on her.
However, she didn’t show any signs of panic and spoke in a composed tone.
“The person in the photo is indeed me. I was ill in the first half of the year and frequently visited the hospital for treatment. It’s not unusual to be photographed outside the hospital. I just can’t understand how this photo could be linked to me having an illegitimate child.”
In the photo, she had wrapped herself tightly, resembling a ball, and her belly was not visible at all. She could easily deny it.
At this moment, she was extremely grateful that David cared about his reputation. He had forcefully suppressed the news of her having an illegitimate child, and Charlotte’s attempt with this photo was ultimately ineffective.
However, while the photo lacked the necessary impact, the pressure from public opinion was not to be underestimated.
“Isabella, I want to believe you, but this matter has created a huge stir, and it has had a very negative impact on the school. According to the school’s rules and regulations, someone in your situation would typically be expelled. However, the school values talent and will definitely allow you to stay under probation. You can still graduate next year. Of course, you must give up the position of outstanding graduate this time.”
“The post has been up for less than two hours, and the school has already made a decision about my punishment? Don’t they need to investigate?” Isabella asked in confusion.
Benjamin cleared his throat, using it as an excuse to hide his embarrassment. “The school acted relatively quickly this time, but for you, it’s still the best outcome. Isabella, I hope you won’t make things difficult for the school and the teachers.”
Isabella nodded as if she had accepted the result, calmly asking, “Who will take my place as the outstanding graduate?”
Ithaca University only had one outstanding graduate position each year, which would secure a job at the television station. Therefore, this position was highly sought after.
Isabella had consistently ranked first in her class, so the outstanding graduate position had always been hers. Now, she was being forced to give it up, and the school had already determined a new candidate in such a short time, indicating that someone was manipulating things behind the scenes.
“It’s Natalie from your department,” Benjamin answered truthfully.
The list of outstanding graduates would be announced soon, and such matters couldn’t be kept hidden for long.
“I understand,” Isabella said and turned to leave the office.
Outside the academic building, as soon as she descended the steps, a red Maserati parked right in front of her, as if it had been perfectly timed.
The car door opened, and a fashionable lady stepped out. She wore red high heels, a strapless dress, and her lips were adorned with striking lipstick.
“Isabella, what a coincidence,” Natalie said, removing the large sunglasses from her face and tilting her chin with an air of arrogance.
Isabella stood on the steps, looking at her impassively without saying a word.
Natalie approached her in her high heels, mocking her as she said, “Isabella, I heard you had a child. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet.”
Isabella ignored her and looked at the flashy sports car behind her. Then, the car door opened, and a man with sunglasses and a black leather jacket stepped out. He whistled and flashed a sly grin.
“Isabella, it’s been a while.”
“Jacob, it has been a while,” Isabella replied with a forced smile.
He was her senior, and Jacob had pursued her for two years, but Isabella had never agreed to date him.
“Jacob, aren’t you going to accompany me inside?” Natalie cooed, pressing her body against Jacob’s like she had no bones, sticking to him entirely.
“Be a good girl and go inside by yourself. I’ll be waiting for you in the hotel bed tonight,” he said with a sly smile, his hand not staying still as he touched Natalie.
Natalie, in her high heels, walked towards the academic building, and as she passed by Isabella, she intentionally cast a glance at her, filled with an air of gloating.
Isabella really couldn’t understand what Natalie had to gloat about. By using her body, Natalie had only managed to exchange for the position of an outstanding graduate, and no matter how you looked at it, this deal wasn’t profitable.
Jacob, although the son of the school president, was widely known for his playboy ways and penchant for new experiences. He was not the type to marry Natalie.
Natalie might be triumphant now, but she would have her moments of tears sooner or later.
As she tried to walk away, Jacob reached out to block her path.
“Haven’t seen each other for so long, let’s have a cup of coffee and catch up?” Jacob removed his sunglasses, his gaze lingering on Isabella, making her uncomfortable.
“I have something to do, so there’s no need to catch up. It seems we’re not really acquainted,” she said, not giving him face.
Seeing that she was so disrespectful, Jacob’s expression changed immediately, and he smiled coldly. “Isabella, don’t push your luck. I’m only giving you this one chance. As long as you satisfy me in bed, the position of the outstanding graduate will be your in a snap.”
Jacob took a hotel room key card out of his pocket and handed it to her directly. “I don’t wear a condom when I sleep with women. If you get pregnant and give me a son and a daughter, marrying you isn’t impossible. I’m not the type to deny my responsibility.”
Isabella could hear Jacob’s lewd laughter in her ears as she toyed with the hotel room key card in her hand, laughing disdainfully.
“Jacob, have you studied biology? Then you should know that different species can’t mate, and even if they could, they wouldn’t produce fertile offspring.”
“Pah, a second-hand item that’s been played with by others, pretending to be virtuous,” Jacob spat in the direction Isabella had left, then pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
When Charlotte answered the phone, she was sunbathing on a lounge chair in the yard and was in a very good mood.
“Did Jacob take care of things?” Emily, sitting next to her, asked as she sipped freshly squeezed juice.
“Your sister came up with this trick to pull the rug out from under her. Jacob was just following orders; there’s nothing he can’t handle. Isabella won’t be able to graduate smoothly now, and she can forget about interning at the company.”
“My sister is indeed clever,” Emily said with a smile.
Charlotte sighed softly. “Victoria is not only clever but also elegant and graceful. What worries me the most now is her marriage. It’s hard to find a family that matches her. If she can marry into the Turner family, I’ll be completely satisfied.”