Chapter 19
Supportive voices surged like a tide, gradually drowning out the malicious speculation.
Her roommate walked with Jordan across campus, actively explaining the situation to familiar classmates, even showing Jordan’s schedule for the past few months-every time slot clearly marked with study and work activities, leaving no time for supposedly “seducing professors.”
Emmett took an even more direct approach.
During his public lecture, in front of all department students, he held up one of the original posters, systematically analyzing its logical flaws. “As Jordan Hayes’ professor, I can responsibly state that all our interactions have been limited to academic and normal teacher-student relationships. These slanders not only harm Jordan but insult educational professionals.”
His voice carried through the speakers, each word resonating with conviction. “The school has reported this matter to the police, who will investigate those responsible.”
But in the following days, the harassment intensified. Jordan’s dormitory door lock was stuffed with glue, her textbooks torn apart, and someone even put dead rats in her locker.
The most dangerous incident occurred when she was returning to her dormitory one night and was cornered in an alley by two masked men.
“Little miss genius, someone paid us to teach you a lesson…”
One man leered, advancing with an iron rod gleaming in the darkness. Jordan backed away, feeling the cold wall against her
back.
Just as the rod was about to strike, a figure rushed forward.
THUD!
Emmett’s fist connected with the lead assailant’s face. His glasses fell during the struggle, and the normally mild-mannered professor now resembled an enraged lion.
Seeing the tables turn, the two thugs fled in panic.
“Are you hurt?” Emmett asked breathlessly, his hands trembling as he checked Jordan for injuries.
In the moonlight, Jordan saw the blood seeping from his knuckles. Unable to contain herself any longer, she threw herself into
sins, finally breaking down in tears.
Emmett held her tightly. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anyone harm you.”
“It must be Vanessa,” Jordan whispered, her fists clenched white. “No one else hates me this much.”
Emmett didn’t speak, only gently patting her back. “Don’t worry. With me here, with the school behind you, she won’t succeed.”
His gaze was resolute, as if in that moment, he had positioned himself between her and all the darkness in the world.
When her roommate learned what happened, she hugged Jordan and cried. “That’s so vicious! How can anyone be so cruel? Jordan, don’t worry. I’ll stay with you every day from now on. Let’s see who dares touch you!”
True to her word, her roommate remained by Jordan’s side constantly in the following days, even standing guard outside bathroom doors.
Emmett arranged to stay in campus housing, patrolling routes Jordan might take every evening.
Some students formed a “protection squad,” volunteering to accompany Jordan whenever she went to the library or newspaper office.
Vanessa’s plot failed again.
When police finally tracked down the two assailants, they quickly revealed their employer-it was Vanessa, desperate and using money Maxwell had given her.
When this news reached Jordan, she stood by her dormitory window, watching students walking together below, her eyes growing moist.
Once she had thought she was fighting the world alone, never imagining that in her darkest hour, so many would stand firmly
beside her.
