Chapter 5
Ian’s drowsiness was instantly dispelled. Data falsification was a serious offense and one that would ruin anyone who wanted to go into research. If the college found him guilty of this, he wouldn’t be able to graduate, let alone have the chance to further his studies abroad.
He couldn’t understand it. He’d worked hard for a month to obtain the data presented in his thesis—why would someone have reported him for falsification? And who had done it?
“Professor White, you know I obtained all the data through experimentation. There’s no way I could have falsified or plagiarized it,” he said.
Lance sighed heavily. “My trust isn’t enough. You need proof. But now, you only have less than half a month until graduation. Even if you can produce the timeline of your experiments, it won’t be in time for the college administration to verify it before your graduation.
“The only way to resolve this is to speak to the person who has accused you of this and convince them to retract the complaint.”
Ian hurriedly asked, “Who’s the one who lodged the complaint?”
“Connor Jensen.”
A wave of helplessness washed over Ian when he heard that name. Why was Connor refusing to let him off the hook? Wasn’t it enough that he’d had Leila play him emotionally? Did he want to leave a permanent ink stain on Ian’s academic career, too?
The spot on the bed beside Ian’s was cold. Leila was missing. He didn’t have Connor’s number and had no idea where to find the latter.
He was left with no choice but to do an online search on Jensen Group’s address. He quickly got dressed and hurried to the company, trying his luck and hoping he would run into Connor there.
Ian waited outside the building from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, standing there for four hours without having a drop of water. He’d yet to completely recover from having a kidney removed, so his body couldn’t handle the exertion, hunger, and thirst.
Just as he was about to pass out, two familiar figures exited the building—Connor and Leila.
Ian gnashed his teeth and clamped a hand over his surgical wound as he stopped them.
Leila didn’t expect to see him there and sounded a little flustered. “Ian, what are you doing here?”
Ian’s mind was on getting Connor to retract the complaint. He couldn’t bother about anything else. He said, “Mr. Jensen, the data for my thesis was based on research and experiments I conducted in the lab. I didn’t falsify anything, so please retract your complaint.”
Leila evidently knew nothing of this. “How did this—”
Connor smiled as he cut her off, but his gaze was cold. “But I still doubt you, Ian. What do you expect me to do? I’m sure the truth will surface once the college administration conducts its investigation.”
That would take at least half a month. Ian didn’t have time for that.
“Please tell me what it will take for you to retract your complaint, Mr. Jensen.” He knew Connor was doing this on purpose. Instead of wasting time beating around the bush, it’d be better to get straight to business.
Connor played with his car key nonchalantly, not even bothering to spare Ian a glance. “You ruined my mood when I was buying a car yesterday, so how about you apologize to me now? Do it loudly, and don’t stop until I forgive you. Then, I’ll retract the complaint. How about it?”
Leila frowned slightly. Her hands twitched by her sides, but she ultimately remained silent.
Ian took a deep breath and suppressed his swirling emotions. Then, standing at the entrance to the company where people came to and fro, he said loudly, “I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”
Everyone’s gaze landed on him. He’d never been this humiliated in his life—he felt like he’d been stripped naked and thrown onto the streets for people to mock.
He didn’t have a choice, though. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
Connor chuckled. “Why is your voice so soft?”
Ian shut his eyes and endured the discomfort in his abdomen. He raised his voice and repeated robotically, “I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”
Everyone watched him mockingly, including Connor. He continued apologizing, saying it so many times that he lost count. Connor didn’t show any sign of wanting to speak, though.
The pain in Ian’s abdomen intensified, and he couldn’t take it anymore. He collapsed.
Right before his eyes slid shut, he saw Leila bolt toward him, looking panicked.
