No one knew who had started the rumor.
Regardless, plenty of students and faculty were eagerly watching the drama unfold, with many rooting for them.
Everyone said they were a perfect match. Although they were from different departments, wasn't that even better?
If they worked in the same department, seeing each other all the time might cross some professional boundaries.
"People on campus are actually taking bets on when Professor Beaumont will finally win Professor Churchill over," Lucinda whispered.
Priscilla was bewildered. "Do people really have that much free time?"
Claire, however, guessed the real reason. "It's mainly because two attractive people draw a lot of attention, and someone is definitely fanning the flames behind the scenes."
There were always bystanders, but for a rumor to spread this fast and even result in betting pools, there had to be a mastermind.
Could it be Honoria herself?
After all, she was the one who liked Norris and wanted to lock him down. By weaponizing public opinion, even if she couldn't win his heart, she could trap him.
The entire campus now knew she was in love with him.
Shouldn't Professor Churchill just settle down with her? What was he holding out for?
If Claire could figure it out, Norris naturally knew exactly what was going on.
He had already explicitly rejected Honoria.
As for the campus gossip, he couldn't care less.
If she thought she could use public pressure to force his hand, she had picked the wrong target.
Norris ignored it, but someone else just had to pop up.
The moment he stepped out of the cafeteria, he was intercepted by Honoria and her friend.
Susan had been dragged there entirely against her will.
Honestly, she felt that since Honoria had gone to such lengths and still failed to
move him, she should just take the hint and back off.
But Honoria stubbornly refused to give up.
She claimed she had finally found someone she truly liked, and if she backed down without trying everything, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
Susan thought Honoria was slightly out of her mind.
What was all this nonsense about lifelong regrets?
He was just a man. If this one didn't work out, she could just find another one to obsess over.
Just because someone didn't like you back didn't make it a crime, right?
Being dragged along to ambush him, Susan was already deeply regretting her life choices.
She felt Honoria's actions bordered on emotional blackmail.
And now that she was standing there, she felt complicit in that blackmail.
"Professor Churchill!"
Honoria blocked his path.
Norris frowned. "Professor Beaumont, I believe I have already rejected you."
Honoria choked, shocked that he would be so ruthlessly blunt.
"Professor Churchill, I didn't mean it like that. It's just... I heard the whole school is talking about us, and 1 feel so belongs ble about it. Conten to swnövels
"If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be the subject of all this gossip."
"Please don't worry. Even if you don't like me, it's fine. I'll personally clarify everything to everyone."
Norris stared at her. "Clarify what?"
Honoria froze. "That we aren't in a relationship, of course."
"Everyone might have misunderstood and assumed we're already together."
"But I know you don't have feelings for me."
"I just..."
As Honoria stammered to defend herself. Susan stood next to her,
cringing so hard she w
wanted
ground to swallow her whol
the
Didn't Honoria study abroad?
How could she speak with such pathetic, manipulative undertones?
Why had she never noticed this side of her before?
Was it too late to end their friendship right here and now?
While Susan was contemplating cutting
Honoria was
desperately trying to find a wael
latch onto Norris.
Seeing that he wasn't saying a word, her eyes fluttered shut, and she feigned a swoon.
And conveniently, she aimed her fall perfectly in Norris's direction.