Chapter 309 Sebastian Found Out
Hestia had that 'I knew this would happen' look on her face, her eyes darting around mischievously.
When she turned her head, she caught Royce staring at her. Hestia swallowed nervously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Royce spoke in a low voice, "You're not the one who was asked for contact details, so why are you so nervous?"
"I'm just concerned for Camilla. It's one thing after another—so annoying. Speaking of which, Camilla is gorgeous and academically brilliant. Royce, haven't you ever been even slightly interested in her?"
Royce gave her an exasperated look. "Stop talking nonsense!"
"Am I wrong?"
"Completely."
"Then there must be something wrong with your eyes."
Royce stared at her, suddenly laughing despite his irritation. "You're right."
Hestia looked puzzled.
Meanwhile, Camilla glanced at the guy approaching her. "Sorry, I don't attend your university."
"That's fine! How about adding me on WhatsApp?"
"That's not convenient either."
"Why not?"
Camilla replied, "I have a boyfriend."
"Oh, I see." The guy's face instantly turned crimson. "I'm sorry to have bothered you!"
He turned and hurried away.
Camilla sighed with relief.
The students who had been watching the scene dispersed.
On their way back to the lab, Hestia suddenly asked, "Camilla, do you actually have a boyfriend?"
"No. I just told him that to make him leave."
It was the simplest excuse, and impossible to argue with.
"Are you planning to use that excuse for all your admirers from now on?"
"All? Isn't that exaggerating? So far it's just been this one guy."
"You're being naive! Beautiful women attract attention everywhere. Today it's one guy, tomorrow it'll be a whole crowd. Just wait and see."
"Surely not..."
At that moment, Camilla didn't take Hestia's warning seriously.
However, the very next day, when another guy approached her asking, "Could I get your WhatsApp?" Camilla realized she had underestimated the situation!
For three consecutive days, every lunchtime in the cafeteria, Camilla was approached by different men.
Though the faces changed, the words were almost identical.
The most dramatic incident occurred when Camilla had finished eating and was about to leave. Two guys intercepted her simultaneously.
Both asked for her contact details at the same time.
Before Camilla could politely decline, the two started arguing with each other.
What began as verbal sparring escalated when one of them shoved the other, and they started physically fighting.
Eventually, a faculty advisor who had been eating in the cafeteria intervened, preventing the situation from escalating further.
The entire incident lasted less than ten minutes but attracted spectators from all three floors of the cafeteria. Even the kitchen staff leaned out to watch.
"All this just for her contact information?"
"It's ridiculous! You'd think one of them stole the other's girlfriend, but no..."
"I heard that girl has been approached every day in the cafeteria, and now guys are literally fighting over her. Impressive!"
"Who is she that has such appeal? Which department?"
"No idea."
"What? Such a commotion and nobody knows who the main character is? The gossip network is failing!"
"She's not even from our university, how would we know?"
"She's from elsewhere?"
"Sort of. A graduate student from Harmony College next door, apparently here to use our lab facilities."
Speculation buzzed throughout the cafeteria.
After reprimanding the two young men and sending them away, the faculty advisor approached Camilla to inquire about the situation.
"So, did you give either of them your contact information?"
Camilla replied, "No."
"Neither of them?"
"No."
Now it was clear: Camilla hadn't shown interest in either of them, yet they had started fighting anyway.
The advisor was reasonable; this wasn't Camilla's fault but rather the immature behavior of the university's own students.
"You're free to go," the advisor said.
After that incident, Camilla stopped going to the cafeteria for lunch. She either ordered delivery or asked Hestia to bring food back for her.
Things finally quieted down.
However, the incident became a popular piece of gossip among Excel Business University students.
None of this concerned Camilla.
She remained focused on her experiments, collecting data and writing her paper.
Beyond her work, Camilla remained completely detached from any external noise.
The annual Scientists Recognition Ceremony was held at Imperial City's Grand Hall.
Sebastian alone claimed two prestigious titles.
This drew considerable attention from the audience.
Everyone present was an influential figure in their respective fields, but even among leaders, there were hierarchies.
Sebastian was undoubtedly among the select few at the very top.
"Congratulations, Sebastian. That's three consecutive years of awards, isn't it?"
"You flatter me, Lloyd. You once won awards for five consecutive years—a record that remains unbroken. My modest achievements pale in comparison."
"Sebastian, always so humble!"
The honors and awards Lloyd had received in his day weren't actually as prestigious as Sebastian's.
But Sebastian's gracious words made even unfavorable comparisons sound pleasant.
"The future belongs to young talents like yourself. By the way," Lloyd changed the subject, "that girl from Harmony College you recommended—what was her name again?"
"Camilla," he replied, instinctively sitting up straighter.
"Yes, that's right. Her academic abilities are truly remarkable. When I learned she was Aurora's student, it all made sense."
"How do you know about her abilities?"
"I went to the lab to collect some equipment and found Camilla leading two other team members through an experimental process. Her thinking was clear, her approach methodical, and she had considered every detail. Each step had a corresponding verification method. I've never seen such thoroughness and rigor in a student before."
"You mentioned earlier she's only in her first year of graduate studies?"
"That's right," Sebastian nodded.
"That makes it even more impressive. She outperforms my second and third-year graduate students!"
Sebastian's lips curved into a smile, his eyes flashing with a pride he himself didn't notice. "She's always been exceptional."
"However," Lloyd's tone shifted, "with such promising students, one must be careful they don't get led astray."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like you're hinting at something specific?"
Lloyd sighed, "You haven't heard?"
Sebastian replied, "Please, tell me."
"Well, the faculty advisor recently informed me that Camilla has been repeatedly approached by male students in the cafeteria. Two undergraduates even got into a physical altercation over her."
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