Chapter 2
In Wilson's office, all the members of the research team were present.
When Luna entered, everyone's expression turned sour. Only Mia stood up with a smile and stepped forward to greet her, saying, "Luna, you're here!"
"I'm here to apologize to you." Luna calmly dodged Mia's outstretched hand. She wasn't as scheming as Mia and couldn't bring herself to be warm and friendly to someone she disliked.
Mia awkwardly stepped back as if she was frightened. "Are you still doubting me?" She looked pitiful and on the verge of tears. "But I swear I didn't plagiarize your thesis. If you don't trust me, you can report it to the school and get them to investigate."
But Luna lowered her head, looking even more aggrieved than Mia did. "I said I'm here to apologize. Though I'm confused by the similarity between our theses, I never planned to report you or bring it up to anyone."
The others, whose expressions had darkened after Mia's comment, suddenly realized something—the Luna they knew wasn't the talkative type. She barely had any friends at school, and most of the time, she buried herself in the lab or hung around them. She'd only ever mentioned this incident to them.
Wyatt's expression softened a little as his gaze landed on Luna. "I believe you didn't do it on purpose, but you did hurt Mia. If you hadn't insisted on investigating, no one would have spread rumors of plagiarism.
Having you apologize to her isn't too much to ask."
Wyatt was the most academically accomplished in the team. He was the top student and the most handsome guy in the school too.
Back then, aside from their major being the mainstream in the medical school, Wyatt was part of the reason she'd chosen it.
He'd used to be her idol, but not anymore.
"It really isn't much," another senior, Ethan Stevens, chimed in. "Like Wyatt said, I believe you didn't mean it, Luna. Mia is soft. Just talk nicely to her, and we can all still be classmates."
Luna found it ironic. Mia was never soft, but she couldn't say that out loud. So, she went on with their words and said, "You're right, Ethan. I'll talk to her nicely."
"I'm sorry, Mia. It was wrong for me to hurt you, and I sincerely apologize. Can you forgive me?" Luna said.
Mia hadn't expected things to go this way. Luna was always stubborn and uncompromising. She'd dig deep once she suspected something. So, why was she letting it go this time?
As for the seniors, she had emotionally manipulated their feelings and carefully chosen words to imply to them that Luna had suspected her. Why were they still siding with Luna?
But then again, Mia had heard that before she transferred, Luna had worked with them in the same research team for years.
Humans developed bonds over time. Naturally, driving a wedge between them wasn't going to be easy.
Mia smiled at Luna. "I never blamed you, so there's nothing to forgive. Look, Professor Hanley, Luna couldn't have meant to hurt me. Don't be too hard on her." She sat down beside Wilson. Her voice was soft and sweet, as if she were acting coy.
"Even if she didn't mean it, she still did you wrong and should be punished for that.
"Luna, what do you think your punishment should be?" Wilson asked, casting Luna a displeased glance.
He used to think that she was an obedient, diligent, and promising student. But now, he felt like he'd misjudged her.
No matter how excellent Luna's academic record was, it was unacceptable that her character was flawed. She had to be punished to learn a lesson so she wouldn't slander others again.
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