novelxo Chapter 515 Determined
Clarissa went to thank Don in person.
"Thanks so much, Professor Mclaurant! I spent half a year working hard on this," Clarissa said, filled with emotions.
"Don't worry, Clarissa. I didn't read the contents. I saw the title and thought it might be yours. I just don't know how it ended up in my email," Don explained.
Clarissa had a vague thought that Caleb probably stole it. Don was Caleb's mentor, after all.
If Caleb stole her project and gave it to Professor Mclaurant, they could work on it together and complete the research by themselves. They might even receive prize money worth hundreds of thousands or even millions.
The incident led to Clarissa harboring great dislike for Caleb. She didn't tell anyone about her suspicion, but Don shared her sentiments. He even talked to Caleb about this.
Don shot Caleb a meaningful look. The way he looked at Caleb implied many things.
"Caleb, you have to be a good man before you're a good learner. Do you know that?" he advised Caleb solemnly.
Caleb instantly understood Professor Mclaurant's implied meaning. After all, everyone in the school had been spreading rumors about him stealing Clarissa's project to give it to his mentor.
Some even said that Caleb was trying to embarrass Clarissa as retaliation after she rejected him.
"Do you really think so, Professor Mclaurant?" Caleb demanded. He placed his hands behind his back and kept a straight face the entire time.
"Look. This mustn't happen again, okay? If it repeats, I'll speak to your advisor and have a petition to expel you from the school."
Caleb pressed his lips tightly as his face turned grim. He could see that Clarissa probably thought the same as Don.
He wondered if Chanel was the one behind this, but he didn't understand Chanel's reason for doing so. Chanel and Clarissa had no grudge between each other, so why would Chanel do this? That, and Caleb had no evidence to prove that Chanel was the one who stole the project rather than him.
Caleb didn't blindly accuse Chanel, but as a result, he had to bear the school's accusation alone. When he couldn't take the unjust criticism any longer, he signed up for the school's military service.
He was once a brilliant and innocent student. He was good at studies, art, basketball, and everything else. However, he was burdened by false accusations for no reason. He couldn't defend himself, and he didn't bother to correct their misunderstandings, either. With everyone picking on him, he felt abandoned by the world.
His mentor and his beloved woman's misunderstanding of him was torturous to him.
Caleb had his own dignity. After thinking about it, he decided to leave the university.
Caleb told his mother about his decision, but she staunchly disagreed. Despite that, Caleb said he had made up his mind and was going to join the army.
Hill Villa.
Mrs. Faber made dinner and served it on the table. Damien wasn't home yet, so she sat on the sofa alone and wiped her teary eyes in sorrow.
Noticing her distress, Neil spoke to her.
"What's wrong, Mrs. Faber?" Neil nudged her.
"My son... Your big brother won't listen to me. He doesn't want to continue his studies anymore."
"Huh? Is Caleb dropping out?" Neil didn't quite understand.
"No, he's joining the army. What's so great about being a soldier? He has to take a break from school!"
"What's a break from school?"
While Neil was busy asking all sorts of questions, Damien arrived home.
"Daddy, Mrs. Faber is crying! You have to talk to her," Neil said to Damien.
"What's wrong?" Damien asked while washing his hands. "Let's talk over dinner."
The three of them went to the dining table and ate. Mrs. Faber explained to Damien that Caleb was going into the army, and that her son refused to explain the reason he was joining so suddenly.
"His father and I were counting on him to get a good job sooner or later! Look at what he's doing now!" Mrs. Faber was sorrowful.
Damien had a feeling this whole mess had something to do with Clarissa. Caleb wouldn't be so determined to drop out of school if it weren't for her.