m nodded<b>. </b><b>“</b><b>Got </b>it!<b>” </b>
He took out his phone, but Hannah quickly stopped him. “There’s no need to go this far. Even without me, they could have developed the inhibitors. Don’t bother the professor just for some empty academic glory.”
Someone sneered, “What’s the matter, Miss Gibson? Too scared to make the call? Or is it a guilty conscience?”
Hannah frowned at the source of the voice, her tone turning razor–sharp. “And why should I have to justify myself to you?”
“Katrina,” Hannah said, “I know you like Griffin, but I don’t. There’s no need to take it out on me because of that.”
Katrina mmed the table in fury and snapped, “What the fuck are you spouting? Keep talking nonsense and l’it rip your mouth off
Her mother pped her daughter’s hand away, her eyes shing with severity. “Watch yournguage!”
Katrina bit down hard on her lip, her face set in stubborn defiance.
The Ward family of Mandino City were just a minor family who had finally managed to hitch their wagon to the mighty Palmer family. There was no way they would allow their daughter to break off the engagement.
Griffin Palmer, known as Griffin, shot back, “You don’t even like me, so why are you always picking on Hannah?” He was Zoe’s nephew.
Griffin pursued Hannah passionately from middle school through college, making no secret of his feelings.
Standing next to Hannah, Griffin gave Aria azy, mocking look. “Come on, Aria, stop stealing Hannah’s credit. Clear this up and give her the credit <b>she </b>deserves. Do that, and maybe I’ll even help get you into the Saxon family register.”
Aria shot him <b>a </b>cold re. “Who let this mutt in? Piss off.”
Griffin’s face darkened with anger. Before he could retort, a strong hand grabbed his cor and yanked him backward.
Annoyed, he whipped his head around.
It was his aunt and uncle.
His face instantly brightened with a practiced smile. “Uncle! Aunt! Griffin called out.
Zoe shot him a sharp re. “Griffin, how dare you side with outsiders against your own cousin? One word to your father and your allowance <b>gets </b><b>cut </b><b>off</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
Griffin muttered, “I stand with what’s right, not just with family.”
Aria’s gaze was steady. “Don’t im kinship. I don’t know you.”
She turned to Hannah and Liam. “You two, why haven’t you contacted the team leader yet?”
Katrina mocked, “Without a shred of evidence, you’re just spreading lies with that mouth of yours and acting all righteous. How shameless can you be<b>? </b>Truly, shameless people rule the world.”
The g?owd regarded them with mild disdain.
Liam red at Aria. “Still ying tough? Watch/me call right now!”
Hannah’s heart sank as she saw him open his phone.
“If I try to stop him again, it’ll just backfire,” she thought.
<b>Chapter </b><b>168 </b>
<b>Unlike </b>Hannah, who was visibly anxious<b>, </b>Liam appeared <b>perfectly </b><bposed</b>, as if <b>he </b><b>had </b><b>already </b><b>anticipated </b>the butter
Almost <b>immediately</b>, the video call was answered.
<b>“</b><b>Professor </b><b>Wace</b>, this is Liant speaking.”
Liam spoke loudly to make it easy for everyone to hear.
<b>“</b><b>I </b>know.”
Liam noticed the professor was absorbed in her work and didn’t even nce his way.
“Apologies for disturbing you, Professor, but this is urgent and I had no choice but to reach out.”
His voice was thick with apology.
Ava nced up and asked, “What is it?”
Liam turned the camera toward Aria and asked, “Professor<b>, </b>I remember you’ve met Professor Colton before. Is that her?”
Aria looked <b>at </b>the screen.
On the screen appeared a woman in her fifties, with blonde hair and blue eyes<b>. </b>
Seeing Aria, she looked startled and instinctively raised her hand across the bridge of her own nose, shielding her face and leaving only her eyes visible
Ava gasped in surprise. “Colton?”
Aria gave a slight nod. “It’s been a while, Professor.”
Hearing her voice, Ava immediately recognized her and asked excitedly, <b>“</b>Colton? <b>Is </b>that really you? You’re back?”
“Yes,” Aria replied.