Chapter 328
Facing Thad's blunt criticism, Oriana felt a stinging pain flush across her face!
In the academic world, Thad was a titan, lured back into teaching at the university by Garrick's persistent efforts.
Thad spoke with a weighty tone. "Listen, it's okay to struggle with your studies, but if your integrity is lacking, then that's a whole different problem!"
Thad’s gaze upon Oriana was filled with a reluctant reprimand.
Oriana wanted to defend herself, but words failed her!
Darcy frowned at Oriana. "I'm going to have to report this to the administration. They'll take it seriously!"
The matter of Oriana's insult toward Noella remained unresolved. Despite the administration's optimism about Oriana's design talent and their initial perception of the incident as a mere misunderstanding, it was evident that this wasn't the case now.
Oriana started panicking. She turned to Noella, trying to grab her hand, only for Noella to dodge, leaving Oriana grasping at air.
"Noella, I know I was wrong. I just got carried away. Can you forgive me? We're all classmates here, and I don't want to be disciplined. If my parents hear about this, it’ll be the end of me! My family barely acknowledges my existence as it is. I just can't be expelled. Please!"
Noella looked at Oriana with a faint smirk. "Moral blackmail, always the last refuge of the immoral. Sorry, but I'm without morals too!"
Without morals, one cannot be blackmailed by them!
"Oriana, hiring trolls to slander me, spreading rumors, plagiarizing my work, and then playing the victim? How can you even ask for my forgiveness?"
Facing Noella's disdainful and cold gaze, Oriana felt a sinking feeling in her heart!
Damn it! She had already shown weakness, why wouldn’t Noella forgive her!
Getting into a top-tier university like Imperial University was no easy feat, and Oriana had always taken pride in her accomplishments. The thought of facing disciplinary action or expulsion was unbearable to her.
Seeing Noella unwilling to relent, Oriana bit her lip, ready to kneel in desperation!
Noella, anticipating Oriana’s next move, turned to Ms. Darcy and remarked, "I'll leave the rest to you. If the school can't handle these issues properly, I might have to consider transferring."
Darcy was well aware of Noella's unresolved issues. From encountering car accidents on campus to repeated slander by Oriana, it was all undeserved misfortune for Noella! And considering Noella's family background and talents, she was undeniably a remarkable student.
Thad cheerfully chimed in, "If you don't feel like staying at the Design Department, our department would welcome you!"
Noella smiled gently. "Sir, the head of the Classical Music Department has also invited me several times. It would be a headache for me to make a decision."
Noella had already won the hearts of the professors in the Classical Music Department with her zither performance.
Darcy understood the gravity of the situation and quickly agreed. "Alright! Don't worry, I'll discuss this with Mr. Schnabel. We will provide you with a resolution!"RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
Noella glanced at Oriana, who watched her with hopeful eyes, and scoffed. "Girl, I'm not your ancestor. Not everything can be forgiven just because you bow or kneel. Maybe you should consider working at an electronics factory instead. Or any job where kneeling can earn you money might also be worth trying."
Hearing Noella's mocking words, Oriana found herself unable to kneel. Watching Noella leave with Thad, Oriana clenched her fists, venomously watching her back.
Oriana stomped her foot and rushed into the principal's office, tearfully accusing Noella of wrongdoing!
"I’ve realized my mistake, but can’t Noella just forgive me this once? I've worked so hard, does she really want to ruin my life? For the sake of my parents, please give me another chance."
Oriana's parents were acquainted with Garrick from their younger days, often crossing paths in academic circles.
Garrick, looking at the incessantly crying Oriana, said, "I'll talk to Noella about this. It's a minor issue, knowing you're regretful is enough."
Oriana's spirits lifted. "Really? I'm willing to apologize to Noella."
If an apology could solve the problem, Oriana was more than willing now.
Listening to Oriana's account, Garrick considered it merely a misunderstanding regarding the design submission, a result of the class representative's oversight. As for previous incidents, he dismissed them as mere misunderstandings. Who's to say it wasn't Noella who had caused trouble, and Oriana had innocently borrowed the book?
Even Oriana found these explanations almost convincing.
Garrick called Noella into his office.
Listening to Garrick repeat the story, Noella raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
Unaware that he had been misled, Garrick impatiently said, "Since it's just a minor friction between classmates, don’t take it too hard. Simply have Oriana apologize, and let's move on! Classmates are your future network. Managing good relationships now will be an asset when you enter society."
Noella, hearing Garrick's attempt to downplay the situation, smiled sardonically.
"If you're so magnanimous, Garrick, then I suppose you've also forgiven Grandma Helen for accidentally kicking you that time?"
Garrick suddenly remembered the incident!
Damn Helen Barth! That had landed him in the hospital for quite a while!
Garrick cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Last time, it was all just a fluke, of course, I forgive."
"A fluke can be forgiven, but what about something deliberate? Garrick, no offense, but are you sure you haven't been left with a bit of water on the brain after that fall into the lake? I mean, even if you've physically recovered, you brain might still... leak some water."
Garrick was about to lose his temper when Thad walked into the office.
Thad pulled up a video on his phone and showed it to Garrick.
"Garrick, Noella's the real victim. If you play favorites like this, you're going to dishearten the rest of the students!"
Garrick was blindsided by the actual turn of events. But the idea of apologizing to Noella and swallowing his pride was something he couldn’t bring himself to do.
Noella said coolly, "I once believed you to be a man of principles, a true academic. Seems I was mistaken. My grandfather asked me to pass on a message- it’s time to settle accounts."
Her gaze was tinged with a chill indifference. "If the school can't provide a satisfactory explanation, then I won't bother coming to class anymore. Goodbye!"