The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 515

Cordelia was in the midst of expressing her gratitude to Dr. Dustin.

"Thank you, Dr. Dustin," Cordelia said, her voice heavy with emotion. "I've poured my heart and soul

into this research for the better part of a year."

"Don't worry, Cordelia. I haven't read a word of your thesis. Judging by the title, it's undoubtedly your

work. Somehow, it ended up in my inbox," Dustin replied.

Deep down, Cordelia had her suspicions. She figured it was probably Harold's doing. Dustin was his

mentor, after all. Harold must have swiped her research to share with Professor Dustin, hoping to

collaborate and potentially rake in a significant grant or prize money.

Cordelia had her reservations about Harold, but these were mere suspicions, and she hadn't shared

them with anyone. It seemed Dr. Dustin shared her suspicions. He had taken Harold aside for a talk.

When Dustin looked at Harold, his gaze was loaded with meaning. "Harold, scholarship must be

founded on integrity, do you understand?" he said with gravitas.

Harold quickly caught on to what Professor Dustin was hinting at. The rumors had been swirling around

campus, claiming he had stolen Cordelia's research to curry favor with his mentor. Others whispered

that Harold, having failed to win Cordelia's affections, sought to embarrass her.

"Do you really think so, Dr. Dustin?" Harold asked, standing tall with his hands clasped behind his back,

his face a mask of righteous indignation.

"Let's just say there better not be a 'next time,' understand? If there is, I'll have no choice but to request

your dismissal from the program," Dustin warned.

A shadow crossed Harold's face as he pressed his lips together tightly, perhaps realizing Cordelia

might think the same of him. He suspected Petra might be responsible, but he couldn't fathom why.

They had no past grievances, yet he lacked concrete evidence of Petra's involvement.

Without accusing Petra outright, Harold bore the whispers and the pointed fingers alone. Eventually,

the strain became too much, and he signed up for the university's military service program.

Once admired for his academic prowess, artistic talent, and basketball skills, Harold now carried an

undeserved stigma. He felt misunderstood by his mentor, misjudged by the woman he cared for, and

was as welcome as a rat crossing the path of an angry mob.

Harold, a man of principle, decided to leave school. He shared his decision with Janice, who

vehemently opposed it, but Harold was resolute. He was going to enlist.

...

At Pearl Palms.

Janice had just finished preparing dinner. Ronan wasn't home yet, and she sat on the sofa wiping away NôvelDrama.Org content.

tears.

Callum tried to comfort her. "What's wrong, Janice?" Callum nudged her.

"Harold, he's being stubborn. He's giving up his studies."

"He's dropping out of school?" Callum didn't quite understand.

"No, not dropping out. He's enlisting. What's so great about joining the army? He'll have to take a break

from school."

"What's ‘enlisting?’"

As Callum peppered her with questions, Ronan walked in.

"Dad, Janice is crying. You have to talk to her," Callum said to Ronan.

"What happened?" Ronan asked as he washed his hands, "We'll talk over dinner."

The three of them gathered at the dining table, and Janice explained that Harold had decided to enlist

in the military. As to why, he wouldn’t say, stubborn to the end.

"His dad and I were hoping he'd land a good job soon, and now this," Janice lamented.

Ronan had a hunch that this had something to do with Cordelia; otherwise, Harold wouldn't have made

such a drastic decision.