chapter308
Diane smiled: “I’ll change upstairs.‘
Blair nodded: “I’ll wait downstairs. We’ll see Miles soon.”
Diane headed upstairs.
She reappeared shortly, ready.
They drove to school together.
As Miles finished his last morning class, Blair intercepted him precisely outside the classroom: “Miles, a word?”
Spotting Diane beside Blair, Miles instantly understood.
Diane’s research had hit dead ends mid–project–conclusions proven
wrong.
This was campus gossip by now.
Miles knew it well.
He’d long judged Diane unfit for PhD work.
Sensing trouble, Miles turned hostile: “What do you want?”
With crowds milling about, Blair kept face, narrowing his eyes: “Let’s talk elsewhere.”
Miles sensed Blair Avery’s hostility and agreed to meet.
At a restaurant, Blair requested a private room.
0.00%
122
chapter 308
288 Voucher
When ordering finished, Miles couldn’t help asking: “Mr. Avery, why not speak plainly?”
Blair instinctively reached for his cigarette case. He considered lighting one, but seeing Diane Huffman present, he tucked it away.
His gaze shifted to Miles as he stated bluntly: “Professor Miles, let’s not beat around the bush. If you don’t ensure Diane gets her PhD, Avery Group’s annual funding for the medical school ends.”
Blair laid his threat bare.
Miles chuckled incredulously: “Blair, are you joking?
Do you intend to oppose the government?!
While Avery Group’s funding supported the medical school, government backing remained equally vital.
Threatening to withdraw funds to pressure Miles into passing Diane sounded utterly absurd.
Miles never imagined Blair could be this brazen.
Even hearing the threat, he struggled to believe it.
Noticing Miles‘ disbelief, Blair stood abruptly: “This isn’t a joke, Professor. Doubt me? Watch what happens. The medical school’s fate rests in your hands.”
With that, Blair departed with Diane.
Left alone in the chilling silence of the private room, Miles stood frozen.
Soon his phone rang. Answering, a male voice reported: “Professor
19.9
chapter308
288 Vouch
Miles, the research equipment can’t be delivered.”
Perplexed, Miles demanded: “Why?”
“It’s orders from above. We’ve no say,” the voice replied before disconnecting.
Seated in the sterile room, Miles dialed Blair.
The call connected instantly, a smug tone asking: “Changed your mind, Professor?”
Miles snapped angrily: “Blair, this is an academic institution! Not your personal playground for power trips.
Blair countered: “Just tell Berry Schwartz to devise a feasible research topic. Diane will handle experiments and thesis.”
“Pathetic,” Miles scoffed. “Resorting to dirty tricks for a woman? You’re more pitiable than I imagined.”
Silence answered him.
When Blair remained mute, Miles continued: “Diane lacks qualifications for high achievement. Forcing her up through connections? She’ll only fall harder.”
Miles hung up.
He knew Blair had outmaneuvered him.
Yet what truly mattered was Diane’s path–forced elevation could never rival steady, grounded progress.
That afternoon, as Bianca Watts left work, Berry Schwartz approached.
49615
chapter308
1288 Voucher
“Dinner?”
After brief consideration, Bianca nodded: “Alright.”
The last time Blair Avery called her back to Harmony Residence from the Watts family, she’d told Berry Schwartz she’d treat him to dinner another day.
Today she happened to be free, so she agreed.
At the restaurant, Berry Schwartz handed Bianca Watts the menu, but she pushed it back: “Senior, tonight’s my treat. You should order.”
Hearing this, Berry Schwartz smiled without a word and took back the
menu.
After finishing the order, Bianca looked up to call the waiter when the entrance curtain was pushed aside. A man and woman walked in.
A
The man was Elvin–handsome and well–groomed,
his eyes brimming with affection.
Beside him stood a woman in an elegant white dress and brown coat.
Her makeup was flawless, Elvin’s arm draped over her shoulder.
Their entrance drew many eyes.
Bianca recognized the woman from television.
If she wasn’t mistaken, this was a currently popular actress.
