Chapter 971 A Slap in the Face
Although the university didn’t officially release the announcement about expelling Catherine, someone put it on the internet and caused a great clamor. Netizens made various conjectures about what she did that got her expelled.
One user left a comment, saying, [Isn’t she a badass? I heard Styre fancies her a lot. How come she got expelled?]
Another user replied, reading, [The truth is she lived off Styre while secretly selling data to others. She deserves it.]
This comment caused a lot of attention.
People entered her homepage and found she was also from Styre University, like Catherine. And then, many Styre students liked her comment as if verifying her words. Everyone believed what she said.
Soon, Catherine became a target. Some even commented on Audrey’s account, cursing Catherine.
It became a hot topic on the internet and lasted for a long time, which Catherine found confusing cause she was not a celebrity. But she became a hot topic on the internet now and then.
Branden called, asking if she needed any help from the public relations apartment in his company. It would be easy to save Catherine’s reputation. But this was not only about Catherine. Styre University and Marshall were also involved. He had to ask for her opinion.
“No. I think I’m okay,” said Catherine faintly.
Branden was confused. “What? Just let it be?” He couldn’t bear the idea of others blaming Catherine.
“Professor Hartley had settled everything. The university will handle it soon.” Catherine could tell he wanted to do something for her, but it was all sorted out by then.
So, Branden could only give up. “When do I get a chance to show you my power? I’m like your invisible boyfriend.”
“Then you better rush next time,” said Catherine.
Branden echoed, “No one’s gonna beat me the next time!”
They joked around and then hung up.
The hot topic had a surprising twist in the afternoon.
Marshall rushed to Ultan’s office, demanding he release an official announcement.
Ultan looked at him thoughtfully. “The university has no precedent of announcing a guest professor.”
Marshall couldn’t care less about the university’s precedents. “Then make one for Catherine. She will be the precedent. And there will be another announcement for the next somebody. Then, we will get used to it.”
“You…” Ultan was pissed off. But he couldn’t do anything to Marshall.
Finally, Ultan was forced by Marshall to release an announcement.
“You will ruin my reputation,” said Ultan angrily.
Marshall smiled and answered, “Don’t worry about that. It’s only getting better.”
“It better be.” He snorted and informed his secretary of the announcement.
The announcement created quite a stir on the internet. It said Styre University only expelled Catherine to hire her as a guest professor. Those who had been cursing Catherine suddenly disappeared.
People argued in comments. Some thought it was a slap in the face for those who smeared Catherine. Some thought Styre was unbelievable to hire a barely twenty-year-old girl as a guest professor. The heated discussion made Catherine and Styre the hottest topic again.
Ultan had ordered everyone to stay out of this. No one posted anything on the internet. They had done everything they could. If Catherine were good enough, she would make everyone shut up.
Catherine noticed the trend very soon. She posted several pictures on her account with a question, saying, [I can’t decide which one to go. Vote one for me?]
She shared some screenshots of her emails, sent by the top universities and research institutions worldwide, inviting her over. Some would even pay a high price for a lecture from her. And there could be more similar emails in her mailbox.
It is another slap in the face of those keyboard warriors.
Ronin left a comment, saying, [If Catherine weren’t a patriot, she wouldn’t stay at Styre. But it seems it’s time to go.]
The girl they hated was also the girl the top universities wanted. It showed how arrogant and ignorant some people were.
Soon, someone initiated a vote. No one could question her cause they voted to make Catherine stay at Styre. Marshall called her immediately. Catherine, it seems you have been hiding from me.”
Catherine didn’t explain to him. She said faintly, “Professor Hartley, just remember I will never disgrace you.”
Marshall smiled. “Hopefully, we don’t disgrace Ultan.” He didn’t care about his reputation.
Catherine laughed at his words. “Right.
