Chapter 434

Evelyn Langley's lips curved slightly.

She locked eyes with Audrey Escent. "You're accusing me of cheating. Be specific."

Audrey sniffed. "Like bribing officials or hiring ghostwriters."

Hannah Flores immediately rushed to the front row.

She grabbed a microphone and sprinted back.

"Here, Evelyn!"

Evelyn tested the mic.

The amplification was perfect.

"First, Audrey, I don't have the funds to bribe Science's editorial board."

"Second, why would someone capable of publishing in Science ghostwrite for me?"

"You seem well-versed in underhanded tactics. Care to enlighten me?"

Audrey's face flushed crimson.

"That's slander! I've never used ghostwriters!"

Evelyn arched a brow. "Did I name you?"

"You—" Audrey choked on her words.

Evelyn's gaze turned icy. "You demand proof from me? Then present your evidence first."

Audrey slumped into her seat, silenced.

Shane Evlanch opened his mouth.

Noticing the microphone in Evelyn's hand, he quietly shut it again.

Prof. Beatrice Merouin suddenly spoke up.

"President Hu, does this paper list a corresponding author?"

The room fell silent.

President Hu nodded. "It does."

"Who?"

"Professor Adrian Klein."

The auditorium exploded with murmurs.

Now it made sense.

With Adrian Klein's endorsement, everything clicked into place.

Prof. Merouin's face drained of color.

Her momentary relief vanished.

This still traced back to Prof. Eleanor Roland's connections.

Her cheeks burned with humiliation.