Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 464

Professor Smith was a man of his word.

Upon returning to their temporary base at Mayor Henderson's residence, he didn't waste a single second, immediately issuing the order for his team to pack up and leave.

The announcement sent a wave of confusion through the ranks. They hadn't even begun their research since arriving in the mountains; sample collections and environmental data gathering hadn't even started. Pulling out now meant completely abandoning the project.

As disappointing as it was, his team had followed him for years and knew his temperament well. They figured that if he was calling it off so abruptly, he must have hit a major roadblock and had his own specific reasons for the decision.

So, nobody questioned it. They silently and methodically began packing away their equipment and organizing their research files, prepping for the sudden departure.

But when Vivienne heard the news, she was completely blindsided.

She couldn't understand how everything had unraveled literally overnight.

This rare disease research was an opportunity she had fought tooth and nail for. It was her leverage to secure a spot in the primary research group, prove herself to Julian, and finally crush Willow. If the project was suddenly axed, how was she supposed to pull any of that off?

Vivienne absolutely refused to let that happen. Pacing frantically, she racked her brain for a solution to salvage the situation.

Suddenly, she remembered that Smith had left the house earlier that morning.

In this godforsaken backwoods, there was nowhere else for him to go except that specific family's home. It was glaringly obvious he had gone there. And conveniently, Willow had been there all morning as well.

The pieces fell into place—it had to be Willow! She must have used Vivienne's absence to spread rumors and smear her name to Smith, manipulating the usually resolute professor, who had been so eager for this research, into making a rash decision to pull out.

Smith stared at her, his expression entirely unreadable, offering zero emotional response.

He had never really noticed it before, but looking closely at her now, he realized his student's emotions were often far too theatrical and forced.

Being subjected to his intense scrutiny made Vivienne acutely nervous. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Smith wasn't one to beat around the bush. "Regarding this research project, have you been pulling underhanded tricks behind our backs?"

Vivienne's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to maintain her composure. "Professor, why would you ask that? Did someone say something to you? You know I've been completely focused on the research this entire time; I haven't had a second to do anything else. Please don't let someone's malicious lies damage our relationship."