Written Off as Trash, I Activated My Hidden Queen Mode novel Chapter 8

"I am Stella Shaw. I graduated from Azure Peak University at 15. At 18, I earned dual degrees from Orion Institute in Veyra.

"My credentials are verifiable. I wonder if your slander will hold up to scrutiny.

"Invited by Mr. Voss, I currently serve as an Assistant Professor in the Mathematics Department at Azure Peak University.

"My classes are not core courses—I teach only one or two per week, with low attendance expected. They won't affect any major programs.

"If you believe I'm unfit to teach here, report me.

"Azure Peak is a place to nurture talent. Its students have bright futures, and everyone is working hard for their goals. I ask you not to disrupt their studies."

Stella's words left the crowd stunned.

"What? Stella Shaw is the math prodigy the president personally recruited three times?"

"The 13-year-old SAT top scorer was also named Stella Shaw—that's her! I never imagined she'd be so young and beautiful."

"I can't wait for her class!"

"Me too—but I'm scared I won't understand a thing."

"Who's so malicious they'd try to discredit a genius like Miss Shaw at our university?"

"Jealousy, definitely. Miss Shaw turned down offers from several countries to return home—and this is how people repay her with lies."

"Who else but Jasmine and Silas? What a disgusting pair of cheaters!"

Jasmine, Silas, and Derek stared in disbelief, speechless.

"I'm Ethan Pierce, a professor at Azure Peak University. My wife and I have an excellent relationship. We reserve the right to take legal action against anyone spreading false rumors," Ethan said, appalled by their absurd accusations.

Stella knew the evidence was enough. "If you have no further questions, please leave. Otherwise, I will sue you for defamation."

Her brief statement sent the protesters scrambling—not only did they leave, but they apologized sincerely. With a teacher as accomplished as Stella, they had nothing to worry about for their children's education.

"Jasmine, Silas, please ask your parents to come to the president's office," Stella said before walking away.

Silas and Jasmine exchanged anxious glances.

"Mr. Harlow, did you really know nothing about this?" Silas frowned. Even a little concern would have clued him in.

"Yeah, Dad! She's been studying all this time—even went abroad! How could you not know?" Jasmine's face turned red with rage.

She'd been humiliated beyond repair. Stella was a straight-A student, a genius—and Jasmine had mocked her for being a kindergarten grad, making a fool of herself in front of everyone.

Now she was the joke.

Silas watched Stella's retreating figure, seething with regret. Stella was not ugly—she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She was not uneducated—she was a prodigy, a genius.

He'd missed out on someone incredible... and now he was branded an ungrateful, shameless cheater.

He'd never felt more stupid.

—

In the president's office, Julian rushed in, alarmed.

"Stella, I'm so sorry you had to go through this," he said, his face red with anger. He was terrified she'd quit over this nonsense.

"You asked Silas and Jasmine to bring their parents?"

"Yes."

"You have full authority to handle this. Teach them a lesson," Julian said firmly.

"I am," she said.

Stella nodded slightly. Ethan and his wife sat nearby—they both taught Jasmine and Silas.

"Hello. I am Stella Shaw. You may call me Miss Shaw," Stella said.

Jasmine, Ruby, and Silas' faces contorted in disgust, as if they'd swallowed something foul.

"Silas and Jasmine have spread false rumors, fabricated lies, and spoken disrespectfully to teachers and peers. They incited students and parents to protest and disrupt campus order.

"The university has entrusted me with handling this matter. Here are the penalties for both students."

"Stella Shaw!" Ruby shouted.

"Please address me as Miss Shaw," Stella interrupted. "Parents are a child's first teachers. If parents cannot even learn basic manners, how can they expect their children to respect others?"

Ruby felt like she'd been force-fed a handful of flies—humiliated and helpless.

Elaine finally connected the dots.

Is this Stella Shaw the same "illiterate country girl" who broke off the engagement with my son yesterday?

It's impossible.

"After consultation with university leadership, Jasmine and Silas will be placed on probation. They must issue a public apology to the affected teacher and submit a 10,000-word written apology begging for forgiveness," Stella announced.

Jasmine and Silas turned deathly pale.

"Stella Shaw, this is nothing but revenge!" Jasmine screamed.

Stella blinked slowly, raised an eyebrow, and smiled faintly, her gaze cold and unyielding. It was as if she were saying, "Yes, it's revenge. What are you going to do about it?"