In the Dean’s Office.
The room was quiet, too quiet.
A row of teachers were seated and the one in the lead was none other than Professor Grimwood, the person who had previously clashed with Jenny over Ella.
When he spotted Ella walking in, he gave her an assuring gaze as if asking her not to be scared.
She really felt that this Professor was too kind and sweet to her for no apparent good reasons.
However, there was no reason for her to turn down his goodwill so she bowed slightly to him.
As for the rest of the professors? They remained silent, avoiding her gaze.
"Dean, you asked me over. Is everything alright?" Jenny looked at the man occupying the center chair.
Jenny’s voice dipped half a pitch lower—softer, silkier and almost intimate but nobody in the office room noticed that.
People lauded her for her humility that she never addressed the Dean as ’father’ despite being his daughter.
But very few people, like Ella, knew the true nature of their relationship. And only those could catch the seductiveness in Jenny’s tone when she talked to the Dean.
"You have to talk to Professor Grimwood for that. He came to me and told me that you are being unreasonable in your treatment towards a student,’’ He spoke without looking at Jenny, his fingers twirling a paper weight.
Dean Mo seemed to be a man in his 50s. And this man was the real face behind the Mo Entertainment which caused a lot of hype.
Mo Entertainment would continue to rise in popularity and do well until a few years later when this man would suddenly pass away and the company would hit its lowest!
Then, for a few months, that company’s major control would fall into Jenny’s hands before...
Ella’s thoughts were interrupted by Jenny.
’’How could it be? Maybe Professor Grimwood has some misunderstandings here.’’ Jenny spoke up, her voice rather meek.
"Misunderstanding?" Professor Grimwood stood up, ’’I thought all of us had mutually decided to give this student some time. But then, most of you went behind my back and signed the form to get her expelled."
All the professors in the room looked at Jenny and lowered their heads.
Jenny smiled politely at the man, ’’We had indeed decided that but the situation changed. You said that she is a genius...’’
The said "genius," Ella: "..."
Ella’s brain froze for more than a second and she turned to look at Professor Grimwood, hoping that he would refuse his contribution in this statement.
Professor Grimwood: "So what if I said? Which part of it was untrue?"
Ella: "_" Erm... Sir, I thought you were supporting me?
"She scored 0 in my paper. And even keeping that aside, you should be aware of the recent rumors in the university. If such a student were to be forgiven and protected by an institution as prestigious as ours then what face would we be left with?"
There was pin drop silence in the office room.
Usually when Jenny spoke, no matter how absurd her statement was, a few people would instantly step out to support her.
But this time, no one did it.
Jenny fell silent and glanced at the professors who had their heads lowered.
’’This is what I meant when I told you that rumors should not be trusted impulsively,’’ Professor Grimwood stepped forward and handed his phone to the Dean.
A video played out and while everyone couldn’t see it, they could hear it loud and clear.
Everyone heard Ella’s clear voice as she talked to Esther.
’’Others might not know, but you know who that man was.’’
’’You arranged for the chauffeur to escort me around because you were worried that it would be unsafe for me to book cabs.’’
One by one, all the rumours were crushed down.
Ella having a sugar daddy? False.
Ella harming Ruby? False.
Those were all but constructed falsities.
When the video came to an end, there was pin drop silence in the room.
Dean Mo looked at her calmly as he returned the phone to Professor Grimwood, ’’Do you have something to say to this?"
Jenny’s face was a little pale, ’’But it is not a lie that she has been negligent in class, constantly absent for years and her grades have not been impressive. That was why in addition to these rumors, I thought her actions are unforgivable...’’
Her words were yet to finish when Professor Grimwood cut off, ’’Regarding her scores, I told you that we can wait and watch.’’
Ella, who was silent from the beginning to the end: "_"
Dean Mo looked at the man, "Professor, you seem to be sure of her capabilities?"
Professor Grimwood stroked his beard grimly, a hint of approval on his face, ’’Of course, I have full faith that she would be a topper in all the subjects.’’
Ella was thunderstruck. Top what? Is he on meds?
She regretted not interrupting the professor earlier in order to be polite.
Amidst Ella’s disbelief, Dean Mo let out an ’Oh’ and turned to her, "Is that true?"
Ella opened her mouth to say that Professor Grimwood was overpraising but Dean Mo continued speaking.
"That should be true." Dean Mo paused. The silence hung. "By the rules, you should be expelled. Professor Jenny was not wrong about that.’’
Dean Mo leaned back on his chair, ’’The only exception to this rule is that you need to be academically gifted. You have to top the upcoming examinations to prove yourself and your dedication to academics so we can consider giving you a second chance..."
When the Dean’s words dropped, Professor Grimwood glanced at Ella encouragingly.
Dean Mo nodded, "You all can leave."
After Ella, the professors that had gathered there also started dispersing.
enny turned to leave.
"Professor Jenny," the Dean said without looking up.
A/N: If you story, drop golden tickets to support it~<3