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Novel Catalog
Chapter 26: The Legendary Senior Schoolmate
Serina’s eyes darted from Ainsley to Kaitlin as the tension in the air grew thicker. She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could speak, Kaitlin’s voice cut through the room with her usual arrogance.
“According to the posts on the school forum, Ainsley only has a high school diploma. It’s even lower than ours. She used some improper methods to become our psychology teacher. We’re all ashamed to be seen with someone like her!” Kaitlin glanced over at Ainsley, her smirk widening as if she had just delivered a devastating blow.
Serina’s face flushed with anger, and she stepped forward, ready to defend Ainsley. But before she could say anything, Ainsley calmly placed a hand on Serina’s shoulder, gently pulling her back. She stood up from her seat, her expression calm, but her eyes sharp as she turned toward Kaitlin.
“You did this on the forum, didn’t you?” Ainsley’s voice was steady, though there was an underlying coldness to it.
Kaitlin’s smirk didn’t falter. “So what if I did?” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “Can you deny that what I said isn’t true?”
Ainsley’s gaze never wavered. “That post is very popular. You might not know this, but slander and the spreading of false information can lead to imprisonment if the circumstances are severe,” she said, her tone slightly colder.
Kaitlin let out a mocking laugh. “Slander? Oh, please. Which part is slander? That you graduated from high school? Or that you used some shady means to get your job? Can you deny it?” She crossed her arms and looked at Ainsley with an air of superiority, as if she had won.
The crowd that had gathered was silent, waiting for Ainsley’s response. Ainsley didn’t flinch. She stood tall, meeting Kaitlin’s challenge head-on.
“I became a psychological teacher here through proper means,” Ainsley said, her voice resolute. “You are correct. I have not graduated from this school, and I am not a university graduate in the conventional sense…”
Kaitlin’s smirk faltered slightly as she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “Then how did you get the position?” she demanded, almost accusingly.
Ainsley took a deep breath, her expression unwavering. “Because I’m still on suspension,” she said slowly, her words carrying a weight that made the room fall completely silent.
Suspension?
Everyone looked at her, confused. Ainsley was supposed to have graduated by now. If she hadn’t, then why was she still here? And what did it mean that she was “suspended”?
Ainsley continued, her voice calm yet firm. “When I was studying here, I faced certain circumstances that prevented me from graduating on time. The school made an exception and granted me an indefinite suspension. My status is still kept in the school’s records. This time, I came back partly for my internship and partly to finish my studies.”
The room buzzed with whispers as everyone processed what Ainsley had said. The idea of indefinite suspension was unheard of. Could it really be true?
Kaitlin, however, wasn’t convinced. She sneered. “Make it up however you want. Everyone knows the school doesn’t make exceptions like that. You’ve been out of school for years. Do you really think you own this place?” Kaitlin’s tone was biting, her eyes filled with doubt.
But before Ainsley could respond, a voice cut through the crowd, full of excitement and recognition.
“Wait! I know who Ms. Easton is!” The round-faced girl standing off to the side suddenly stood up, her eyes wide with recognition and admiration. “No wonder I thought you looked so familiar!”
All eyes turned to the girl as she continued, her voice growing louder with excitement. “Ms. Easton, you’re the legendary senior from the Department of Psychology! You entered this school with nearly full marks, completed all the three-year major courses in just one year, all with full marks, and you even started treating psychological patients in your second year! You’re the senior everyone talks about!”
The crowd murmured, clearly taken aback. The girl’s words were like a revelation, shifting the way everyone viewed Ainsley. Kaitlin’s expression faltered, and she looked around, unsure how to respond to this unexpected turn of events.
The girl continued, her voice practically glowing with excitement. “As far as I know, the professors in the Department of Psychology have been waiting for your return. I even saw a picture of you with Professor Carson in his office before! Everyone thought you had just disappeared, but now you’re back!”
There was a stunned silence, followed by a ripple of murmurs spreading through the crowd. People looked at Ainsley with new eyes, the admiration and respect for her rapidly replacing their earlier skepticism.
Ainsley stood there, still as calm as ever. She didn’t have to defend herself any further. The truth had spoken for her, and the students now had a clearer picture of who she really was.
Kaitlin, however, was still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. She had wanted to expose Ainsley’s so-called flaws, but now it seemed that Ainsley was far more impressive than she had anticipated.
The round-faced girl continued, “I can’t believe it! I never thought we’d have such an amazing senior back here! Ms. Easton, you’re a legend! This is so exciting!”
Ainsley smiled softly, though it wasn’t the kind of smile that boasted or sought attention. It was a quiet acknowledgment of the recognition she had earned, albeit in a way she hadn’t expected.
Kaitlin’s face darkened as the weight of the situation hit her. Her earlier confidence was slipping away, replaced by frustration. How had she underestimated Ainsley so much?
Ainsley, sensing that Kaitlin wasn’t finished yet, finally spoke again, her tone calm but resolute. “Now that everyone knows the truth, I’ll leave it at that. I suggest you reconsider the way you handle these situations in the future.”
Kaitlin opened her mouth, but no words came out. The crowd had already begun to disperse, whispering among themselves. Some students who had previously been skeptical now looked at Ainsley with respect, while others seemed embarrassed by their earlier judgments.
Serina stood beside Ainsley, still in awe of how she had handled the situation. “You’re amazing,” she whispered, her admiration clear in her eyes.
Ainsley simply shrugged with a smile. “I didn’t do anything. Just telling the truth.”
Kaitlin, now speechless and embarrassed, turned and walked away, knowing that she had lost this round. The legendary senior, once a mysterious figure in the psychology department, had just made her grand return—and it was clear that Ainsley was not someone to be underestimated.
