Chapter 269
There were also intimate–looking photos of me and Shaun. Similarly, these photos had also been carefully framed to make regular interactions appear improper. They were deliberately made to deceive, especially the one of us entering a hotel near the university.
Before I could recover from my shock, Lyle Gilbert pointed a knife at his abdomen.
Lyle was one of my senior in the same program as ine and had been on stage with me as a fellow presenter.
His expression was filled with pain and despair as he cried out, “I sorry, everyone, for ruining the event, but I just can’t take it anymore!”
“The credit for this research was supposed to belong to me and my fellow researchers. I was the reason we had our breakthrough.
“However, Mr. Holland forced us to give Emilia Quill all the credit. If we refused, he said we wouldn’t graduate. We tried everything, but we weren’t able to change his mind. Thus, this was the only path left for us to take! ”
I stared with my mouth agape as Lyle spewed lies. Nothing he said was true.
In an effort to garner pity, he lamented, “We’ve dedicated 20 years of our lives to our studies! Then, for another six years , we worked hard and poured our lives into this research. But none of it mattered because how could we compete with someone who slept her way to success?
“We slaved away in the research lab for six years to get these results. Yet, all she had to do was climb into someone’s bed, and our success became hers!
“As for us, we can’t even graduate! Why is this world so unfair? If hard work is useless, what’s the point in living?”
Then, Lyle said, “I hope my death today will open everyone’s eyes to the ugly side of the scientific community. Let those who have been oppressed by their mentors and had their research stolen stand up! Expose the truth!
“Let the integrity that science should have be restored! Give us students from humble backgrounds a fighting chance!”
Before anyone could digest what he said, Lyle forcefully stabbed himself in the gut. His desperation was so profound that he would end his life just to seek justice.
Like a pot of water coming to a furious boil, the venue instantly descended into chaos. The crowd clamoured, and security guards shouted as they rushed to the stage.
Amid the mayhem, I stared as Lyle slowly collapsed to the ground. was so shocked that my mind couldn’t process what had just happened.
Why? I didn’t understand it.
Lyle had been encouraging just before we went on stage. He had been equally excited and ecstatic as I was. So, why did he suddenly do this?
I was the one who had initiated the research six years ago. Since then , I had also continued to fund the lab. The research only started to make progress when I officially joined the team and then we had our breakthrough together.
I never claimed this achievement as mine alone. Every time I mentioned our work in public, I had made sure to emphasize that it was a team effort.
The success of this research belonged to all of us. It was the result of everyone’s hard work. So, why…
Why did Lyle suddenly do this? Why would he go as far as using his life to ruin me?
I had always thought we were like a family. We had shared our ideas openly throughout the time spent researching together. So, how did it come to this?
269
+25 BONUS
I wasn’t the only one in shock,
Mr. Holland and the rest of my teammates stood frozen. Their eyes were wide with disbelief. None of us knew why Lyle would do this.
When they finally snapped out of it, they immediately rushed onto the stage and tried to defend me.
They explained that this research was originally my idea from six years ago. And while I wasn’t present in the lab for four years , they hadn’t made any progress during that period. It wasn’t until officially came back and led the team that the research progressed.
However, no one was listening.
Media reporters surrounded me like a pack of rabid wolves. They shoved against each other like blood–frenzied sharks as they tried to get a statement from me.
Instinctively, I took a few steps back.
My mouth moved on its own–it was as though my brain was on autopilot.
I told them everything Lyle said wasn’t true and that I had never climbed into anyone’s bed. Additionally, this breakthrough wasn’t because of his work alone but our entire team’s efforts.