Mr Spivak, who had always been proud of his righteous character, felt extremely frustrated on realizing that Reine's accusations against Aelia have always been based on her own narrow-minded assumptions.
He felt frustrated to know that all his hard efforts throughout these years, to get the position as the Department Head in Phillon National University, were likely to go down the drain just because of this momentary misjudgement!
Mr Spivak resentfully glared at Reine and could not help thinking, "Why did I ever believe this stupid fool?"
However, he knew it was better to admit his mistakes.
Mr Spivak bowed towards the audience as well as Aelia and said with remorse, "I'm sorry for my previous misjudgement. I admit that my personal connection with my friend's daughter, Miss Reine Wilson has contributed to my muddle-headed decision. Now, since everything is clear I hereby declare that Miss Aelia Romanov is graduating with Summa Cum Laude.
Also, as a result, Miss Reine Wilson who was previously graduating with Cum Laude will no longer be eligible for the position, which will be handed over to the student who was previously graduating with Magna Cum Laude."
After Spivak's announcement, Reine glared at Aelia in anger and resentment. She could not understand why was everything always going against her.
As Reine stomped down the stage with an ugly expression on her face, she was quickly called and pointed at by many students.
She gritted her teeth in annoyance when she heard what others were saying about her.
"Wow, are we watching a melodrama? The one who accused the other of the wrongdoing is actually the one in the wrong!"
"Hey! Did you see how she previously so confidently asked Aelia to be held back for a year? I shudder thinking what a scheming bitch she is!"
"You're absolutely right! I can't believe we are graduating with this disgusting schemer! She thinks her white petals will be able to hide her repulsive black centre!"
"It's all because of her that we scolded our Ice Queen!"
Reine could no longer bear the accusatory glares thrown at her.
She quickly pushed the blame to Leila, "It was her! She told me this fake information!"
By now, Leila had understood her friend's true nature. She realized that all along Reine had been using her jealousy towards her cousin to create rumours about Aelia.
So, Leila immediately got up from her seat and slapped Reine across her face.
She scolded Reine without holding back, "You manipulative bitch! After using your friend you throw me under the bus? Who was the one who came and told me to help spread some news about Aelia through my connections?
Since you like disregarding your friends, then very well! I'm going to tell everyone how you often slept with various seniors in order to get them to secretly pass notes to you in the washroom during the examination! Now, everyone will see how disgusting you can really be!"
When Leila began to shout and reveal Reine's actions in front of everyone, Reine could only stand there with a pale face.
Suddenly, she screamed and pulled Leila's hair, "Stop! Stop talking bitch! How dare you?"
Seeing this catfight breaking out in front of them, the crowd looked on with entertained expressions on their faces.
Seeing the situation getting out of control, Mrs Hansley quickly announced some students to separate the two.
The Chancellor had already been disgusted with Reine's behaviour from her previous actions! Now after hearing Reine's disgusting actions, he immediately announced a thorough investigation about the matter. He also decided to withdraw Reine from the list of graduating students until the completion of the investigation.
Reine felt her whole world collapsing after hearing the announcement. She looked on in disbelief at the sudden reversal of the situation. Whatever she had planned for Aelia was exactly what she received now.
Burning with jealousy, Reine looked at Aelia who was taking photographs on stage with the other top scorers in their course.
Reine still did not understand where she had really gone wrong!
Actually, what Reine failed to understand was that just because she could not do something, that did not mean no one else would be able to do the job.
Reine was previously so confident about her plan as she felt sure that Aelia had no other ways, but to use her connections to get the top score. She could never believe that someone could pass with such outstanding results without even attending her classes regularly.
After the commotion, the rest of the graduation ceremony went on smoothly.
When the ceremony ended, as soon as Aelia and Asher came out of the auditorium, Asher enveloped Aelia in a warm hug.
He rested her chin on the top of her head and said, "I'm sorry, Angel! Despite being there with you, I could do nothing and allowed you to suffer so many grievances today."
Aelia was surprised to see Asher blaming himself in spite of having absolutely no fault in the matter.
However, Asher felt differently. When he heard those people blaming and scolding his Angel, he felt like drowning all of them to death.
However, he knew such a large scale incident could not be hidden from the public. Besides, the Council would definitely hear about the incident and would probably blame his Angel for inciting Asher to make such a decision.
So, he could do nothing and only watch as his Angel was scolded so ruthlessly by those ignorant people.
Hearing Asher's words, what little discomfort Aelia felt in her heart completely disappeared.
She tightly hugged back Asher and said, "Stop blaming yourself because of other's actions! Besides, I'm not at all sad!
The people who mean something to me constantly believed me. Mrs Hansley and my other teammates were so supportive of me today! And then you yourself never believed those rumours even once!..."
Asher interrupted Aelia, "Of course, I'd always choose to believe you! I'm your...I mean I'm going to be your husband soon! It's my responsibility to always believe you! This is a given fact!"
Aelia giggled at Asher's words. She felt extremely lucky to have him for herself for the rest of her life.
Seeing that the entrance of the auditorium was getting crowded, Asher released Aelia from the hug. He told Aelia to wait near the entrance of the University while he retrieved the car from the parking space.
After Asher went to fetch the car, some of her senior teammates from the research unit came across Aelia.
Seeing her, they surrounded her and again warmly congratulated their junior sister.
Soon, it was time for them to return to the laboratory. So, after a quick goodbye to Aelia, the group of students, started walking away.
Aelia was surprised to see Javen still standing there.
Seeing Aelia's questioning gaze, he asked, "Why didn't you tell the others that you won't be returning to the research unit?"
Aelia gave a small smile and replied, "I'm not really good with goodbyes! Besides, I think since I'll always be related to this circle, we'll definitely meet again!"
Javen could only nod in understanding after hearing what Aelia said.
Soon, Asher parked the car near the university entrance.
Seeing this, Aelia bade Javen goodbye and was about to walk away towards the car.
However, after taking a step, she hesitated and stopped.
Without turning back towards Javen, Aelia said, "Brother Javen, I'm sure one day you'll meet someone who you truly love and who also loves you back!"
Saying this, Aelia strode towards the car, without glancing back at Javen's expression which was full of disbelief.