The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 106

106 Chapter 106 Quit And Get Married

Zain’s POV 1

After landing a postdoc position, Joanna was supposed to focus on research, but she couldn’t settle on a direction. Even after going through stacks of academic papers, she still hadn’t found a good topic to pursue.

Her peers were already deep into their research projects, while she was the only one still undecided.

This was wasting valuable time in her academic career. That was why Joanna decided to seek advice from Aiden.

Aiden was strict and rarely smiled. Most students considered him a tough advisor to approach.

Joanna definitely agreed with that assessment. Not wanting to face Aiden alone, she dragged Drew and me along, hoping our presence

would make asking for advice less intimidating.

As Joanna explained her situation, Aiden said with an indifferent expression, “People who study medicine need to be fully committed to

their studies and research. You’re always off performing somewhere, taking extended leaves.

“After class, you never set foot in the library. If everyone came running to me with their problems like you do, then anyone could get a

PhD. What’s the point of all these rules if they’re just for show?”

“I’m sorry, Professor Reese,” Joanna mumbled, her head bowed in embarrassment.

Aiden pushed up his glasses, his voice cutting. “You’re not apologizing to me–you’re letting yourself down. You wasted time getting into

grad school, and now you’re wasting more time on your doctorate.

“If you don’t want to study medicine, then just quit. The country’s resources aren’t for you to use as a stepping stone. Wasting medical

resources is disgraceful.”

Every word from Aiden was full of contempt for Joanna. Aiden had mentored plenty of top students, but none of them disappeared for

days like Joanna did.

At night, many students were holed up in the lab, redoing experiments over and over just to get one piece of data.

Joanna’s head hung low, her face burning with embarrassment, her fingers digging into her knees in frustration, Aiden’s words were just

as humiliating as a slap in the face.

She figured that with Drew and me there, Aiden would at least go easy on her. But to my surprise, Aiden tore into her right in front of us.

Aiden wasn’t wrong, but the way he said it was harsh and downright humiliating. And to make it worse, he said it right in front of me.

I stood quietly, listening as Aiden tore into Joanna, my face cold, clearly displeased. But I said nothing,

Drew couldn’t hold back. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, “Hey, you old geezer, watch your mouth! Even if Joanna doesn’t

go into medicine, she can still make a living. Who are you to judge her?”

Joanna quickly tried to calm him down. “Drew, don’t be like that. It’s really my own fault.”

But before she could finish, Drew jumped in. “Joanna, I just can’t stand seeing him give you a hard time.”

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Aiden shot Drew a dismissive look. “If she can make a living, then maybe she should just give up on medicine now. Getting into a PhD program isn’t impressive–graduating is what really matters.”

As he finished, Aiden turned his gaze to Joanna.

Her eyes were slightly red–she’d probably been crying. She looked fragile, not at all like someone cut out for medicine.

Seeing her like that just irritated Aiden further. He didn’t hold back as he said, “Choosing a research topic is the first hurdle for any PhD student. If you can’t even get past that, don’t even think about your dissertation. And let me be clear–medicine isn’t just about staying

focused.

“You have to be able to handle being alone, dealing with silence. If you always need a crowd around you, then you’re not cut out for this. Honestly, you might as well quit and go get married.”

Joanna’s tears started flowing even harder. She kept her head down, too ashamed to look at either Aiden or me.

Seeing her stay silent, Aiden called her by her full name, his tone sharp, “Joanna Vins, do you think I’m right?”

Joanna barely nodded, too ashamed to speak.

Aiden smirked and turned to me, having been silent the whole time. “Mr. Jacob, what about you? Do you think I’m right?”

I lounged back in my chair, looking completely at ease. When Aiden glanced my way, I met his eyes without flinching. The two of us silently stared at each other, our eyes filled with unspoken tension.

I didn’t bother answering Aiden. I just turned to Drew and said, “Drew, looks like Professor Reese doesn’t want to join us for dinner. See

him out.”

Drew hesitated for a second, then said, “Zain.”

My face turned cold as I repeated, “See him out.”

Joanna had just been humiliated by Aiden, and Drew, even though Joanna might have been in the wrong, would always stand up for her.

But I didn’t react, instead just telling Drew to show Aiden the door.

Drew could only get up.

Just as he stood, Aiden also got up.

Aiden shot Drew a cold glare. “No need for you to see me out, Mr. Stewart. But before I leave, let me remind you–my student Demetrius

Jake just saved Mrs. Jacob’s life. You can judge me, but in the medical world, I have the right to mentor any student.”

With that, Aiden grabbed his briefcase and walked out.

Once Aiden left, Drew, still furious, looked at me and said, “Zain, is Aiden even aware who’s funding him? Without your support, where

would those fancy labs of his even come from? And he dares to talk down to Joanna and even me?”

Drew was so pissed, he was this close to chasing after Aiden just to set him straight.

Joanna sat off to the side, quietly crying to herself, feeling hurt and humiliated.

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I didn’t step in because Aiden wasn’t wrong.

But when I saw Joanna’s tears, I felt a pang of guilt. Under the table, I quietly slid my hand over hers.

At the same time, I looked up at Drew and said, “Drew, Aiden’s got a reason to be cocky. He’s trained a ton of top doctors, and he’s right-

his student really did save your mom’s life.”

Drew sneered, full of contempt. “If people with money wanted to ruin them, they could do it with a word

I grew calmer. “You really think we’re the only ones backing Aiden?”

Drew froze for a moment, then realized that Aiden’s backing wasn’t just from me. There were other people involved as well.

I didn’t name names but said, “Aiden’s not someone we can just push around.”

Drew got the message. Aiden’s status was on another level. He decided to drop the issue. But seeing Joanna still crying, he comforted

her, “Joanna, if it’s too tough, you don’t have to stick with medicine.”

Joanna, her eyes still red, shook her head. “No, I’ve put too much into this to give up now.”

I turned to her, my lips pressed together. “If you know where you’re falling short, then put your heart into making up for it.”

Joanna bit her lip and nodded. “I know. I will.”

I placed a piece of dessert onto Joanna’s plate. “Just put your heart into your research and your thesis. Nail it, and Aiden won’t be able to

hassle you.”

Joanna’s mood finally lifted. She gave me a grateful smile and said, “Zain, thank you.”

I gave her a gentle smile. “I’ve been digging through some medical papers myself lately. If I spot a promising research direction, I’ll let

you know.”

I watched Drew observe our exchange, and I could see him visibly relax. I remembered that yesterday when I’d mentioned Blanche,

Drew had seemed concerned that I might still harbor feelings for her. But watching him now, I suspected he was realizing those worries

had been unfounded. After all, with someone as intelligent and gentle as Joanna by my side, why would anyone choose a woman like

Blanche, who offered nothing of value?

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