Chapter 3

In my last life, I'd even felt happy about it. Later, I found out the award had originally been nominated for my individual project.

Janice had pulled strings to change it to a joint project. She hadn't even attended the award ceremony—claiming she needed to guide Kevin's thesis.

"Professor Lincoln, you said she owed you that," the reporter pressed, and the crowd around us fell quiet. "Do you still have feelings for Professor Woods?"

Janice looked at me, too, her brows furrowed slightly. I kept smiling, but my gaze grew even calmer. "Of course not. I don't love her anymore."

The intern reporter seemed eager to ask more, but the teacher beside her gently stopped her and whispered a reminder.

I didn't stay for the entire hearing. After clearly stating that I'd ended both my marital and collaborative relationships with Janice, I stood up and left the venue. I could feel eyes on my back, but I didn't look back.

Overnight, public opinion reversed. Clips from the hearing went viral on academic forums and social media for days.

Janice's statement to the committee was especially talked about.

She said, "Kevin is not the so-called home wrecker that people are speculating about. His sister, Professor Lily Hudson, saved my life and was also my most important academic mentor.

"Taking care of Kevin is my personal responsibility—there's no romantic involvement.

"Professor Lincoln and I had differences in our academic development directions. We agreed to separate over a year ago, but we didn't announce it publicly in time because we were still wrapping up a key joint project.

"We originally hoped to end this relationship in the most stable way possible, to avoid disturbing the team and students. Today's explanation is to clarify the facts—please don't misunderstand Kevin."

Kevin successfully escaped the accusation of living off a woman and was painted as an innocent victim caught in the crossfire. I, however, became the heartless villain.

Some even maliciously speculated that the real reason for our divorce was my incompetence in bed, claiming that I looked like a pervert.

I stood at the center of the storm, enduring accusations and speculation from all sides.

"Don't take the online comments too seriously. In a while, there'll be new topics, and no one will care about this anymore," Janice said as I walked out of the administration building after finishing paperwork.

Her tone was formal and indifferent.

I looked at her coldly. When Kevin faced public pressure, he couldn't stand even the slightest grievance. But when it came to me, I was just supposed to endure it.

"Ethan, next quarter's academic annual conference is still being held in Graycove," she continued with a softer tone.

"Graycove's always been your favorite, right? Once this blows over, we can co-author a paper in a C-tier journal. I'll give you first authorship. Is that okay?" she added,

She instinctively reached out to pat my arm, but I subtly stepped aside, my gaze drifting to a few reporters still chatting in the distance.

Janice's hand froze. She awkwardly withdrew it, took half a step back, and re-established a proper social distance.

"Janice, I've accepted the offer from Riverdale University," I said calmly.

She said, "Riverdale's not a bad choice— a change of environment will do you good," she replied. "You can focus on teaching and your favorite research there first. And when the conference comes—"

"I'm not coming back," I cut her off.

The smile on her face froze instantly. "Ethan, calm down. You just need some time to—"

"Janice, do you remember the condition you agreed to when I signed the divorce papers?" I asked.

She froze in place.

In the moment I'd been reborn, I'd had a faint glimmer of hope—hope that things might be different this time. But when she'd handed me the divorce agreement, that hope had vanished.

I said, "Janice, don't ever appear in my life again. You make me sick."