How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 482

Waldron's words all but sealed the truth.

Everyone understood the implications: Elodie was Charlie's protégé, and Waldron had always been at odds with Charlie. If even Waldron was willing to step forward and vouch for her, it only made the story more convincing.

If Elodie hadn't written those papers, Waldron wouldn't have let Charlie save face —not now, not in front of everyone. Waldron's endorsement was the most compelling evidence anyone could hope for.

Perhaps the two professors didn't get along, but when it came to academic rigor, they stood on the same unshakable ground.

Grady, thoroughly rebuffed, looked stricken. His gaze darted to Sylvie for support.

Sylvie stood rooted in place, struggling to maintain her composure, but the slight tremble of her lips nearly betrayed her. She couldn't believe Mr. Ferguson had stepped up as a witness. Did that mean he'd known about Elodie all along? Why had he never mentioned it? Sylvie had never managed to grasp even a hint of Elodie's real abilities.

And now, these few published essays were enough to leave her inwardly reeling. What if Elodie were given more time-how far could she go?

Sylvie forced herself to steady her breathing. She refused to let herself lose composure in public, repeating silently: It's just a few papers... When it comes to practical research, to real innovation, Elodie might not be her match.

that thought as if it could

with his hands clasped, tapped his watch and finally rose to his feet. He looked at Elodie,

congratulating her on her newfound recognition or on finally shaking off the suspicion, it was hard to say. One thing was certain: from this day forward, no one would dare doubt

hint of scandal, just a polite, almost amused smile as he spoke. She nodded, keeping her response measured. With so many eyes on them, she wanted no rumors about her and Jarrod today's events would be more than

his congratulations to Elodie, Sylvie's fragile composure wavered again. A subtle sense of imbalance crept in, impossible to ignore. Watching Elodie bask in the spotlight, Sylvie could

had no interest in fueling any further drama. Yet, thanks to Grady's attempt to bring her down-and Waldron's decisive words-her

No one would

the room surged forward, eager to talk to

@

but Elodie, a peer, felt accessible-someone they could actually talk

by a sea of admiring

sight. He stayed close,

For every question her fellow students asked, she

Alexander managed to extract her from the throng. He glanced around the hall, then nodded toward