Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 521: Chapter 521

At the end of September, just as Aria's independent lab was approved, the smart pharmacy quality control system project officially began.
Unable to refuse Mandy, Aria informed Sophie and headed to Mandy's lab.
From a distance, Sebastian's eyes suddenly lit up when he spotted a familiar figure. He slammed the brakes and urged his roommate behind him, "Quick, quick, get off!"
His roommate looked confused but got off the scooter anyway. "What's going on?"
The little electric scooter zoomed off like a flash.
The roommate could only watch as Sebastian happily sped toward a girl and stopped in front of her.
As Aria was walking, the sound of sudden braking reached her ears, followed by the excited voice of a young man. "Aria!"
"It really is you." Sebastian held the scooter's handlebar. "Where are you going? Let me give you a ride."
Before the semester started, he had already found out where her office was. Since he wasn't a medical student, he didn't have a good reason to bother her.
Aria's cafeteria schedule was irregular, so he had never "coincidentally run into" her until today.
Out of selfishness, he didn't call her Ms. Saxon but addressed her by name.
Aria replied, "I'm going to Mandy's lab, it's just ahead. No need for a ride."
Sebastian slowly rode beside her. "Is it for the project with Heffner Hospital?"
Aria replied, "I remember you're in Financial Management."
Sebastian was from a different major. He shouldn't know such details about the project.
He exclaimed, "You remember I'm in Financial Management!"
His eyes lit up.
Aria didn't know why he was so happy, nor did she care. "Benjamin mentioned it."
His grandfather had only mentioned it casually, but she still remembered his major. So Sebastian thought he wasn't entirely without a chance.
Sebastian chuckled foolishly, then quickly turned serious. "Some unpleasant rumors are going around, related to Liam."
He pulled out his phone, opened a forum thread, and handed it to her. "Take a look."
The title said: [Heir to a business empire spends lavishly to tailor a project for Aria, gets rejected. Mandy takes over.]
1F: [Business tycoon and academic goddess, this is shippable!]
2F: [He's pretty handsome, barely worthy of Ms. Saxon. I wish I could join their project to fangirl up close.]
3F: [Stop shipping. This CEO is Ms. Saxon's ex-husband, the guy who cheated with Hannah.]
4F: [Holy crap, that's Liam?]
Mandino University students knew about the incident, largely thanks to Hannah.
Mandino University had a legal dispute with the Gibson Group. Everyone knew Aria led students in developing a treatment drug, which Hannah nearly stole.
Digging deeper revealed that Hannah was the mistress who had an affair with Aria's ex-husband.
18F: [So this is the scumbag begging for a reunion and getting rejected? Using a research project to win her back?]
19F: [Bull! He wishes. That drug was developed by Aria and her team. Heffner Hospital had a great first collaboration, which is why there's a second one.]
[Liam just happens to work there, and Cole Group invested first. Even without Cole Group, other investors were lining up. Aria is also a shareholder at the Stars Group.]
20F: [I forgot Ms. Saxon is a capitalist herself.]
35F: [To sum up, Ms. Saxon joined Mandino University, and projects and investors came to her. Liam's stunt made people think she used connections, leading Mr. Chilton to misunderstand!]
36F: [Scumbag should go to hell. Still harassing his ex after divorce, pretending to be deep and loving. What a classic narcissism.]
37F: [Side note, Ms. Saxon is gorgeous! No wonder the scumbag still pines after her.]
38F: [Even prettier in person. Saw her in the cafeteria.]
The thread went completely off-track, turning into a photo thread of Aria.
Aria was speechless and amused. She wasn't lacking vigilance, yet somehow didn't realize she'd been photographed so much.
She handed the phone back. "The latter half is all compliments."
Sebastian took another look. It was true.
Suddenly remembering something, he glanced around and noticed some students watching them.
Someone pretended to make a phone call. They were taking a selfie, but their camera was aimed at Aria.
If he got too famous, he'd never get the girl.
He pocketed his phone and said, "My grandpa keeps talking about you. If you're free, come visit my house sometime. Oh shoot, I just remembered I've got class. Gotta go, bye!"
"Alright," Aria replied with a slight nod.
Afraid of being caught on camera, Sebastian twisted the handle and zoomed off again.
His roommate, who had finally caught up, stared at his back and cursed, "Sebastian, you damn bastard!"
When Aria arrived at Mandy's lab, she hadn't even entered when she heard a voice complaining.
"I've been here two years and only just got approved for an independent lab. How come Aria got hers as soon as she arrived? This is so unfair!"
Samuel was ranting, unaware that everyone's expressions had changed.
Liam said bluntly, "If you're unhappy with her, you can leave the project."
Samuel bristled. "What does my discontent have to do with staying on the project?"
Liam said, "This project is funded by Cole Group. I decide who participates."
Liam's face was calm but stern, his tone sharp. The commanding presence from his boardroom days was fully apparent.
A student couldn't help scoffing. "Anyone would think Heffner Hospital is under your control."
"Yeah. Don't worry, Mr. Chilton. Let's see him try to get you fired."
"May as well fire me too."
Samuel blinked, thinking Mandy's students had gone mad!
Fred noticed Liam's displeasure and quickly stepped in to scold them, finally restoring calm.
Aria knocked, then entered and nodded to Mandy. "Ms. Worley, I'm here."
Mandy smiled. "Sorry to make you come over."
Doctors from Heffner Hospital greeted her warmly. "Ms. Saxon, Mr. Harmon sends his regards."
"Hello, Ms. Saxon." Even the students greeted her.
Samuel hadn't expected her to be this well-liked. He opened his mouth but said nothing.
These students even dared to talk back to Liam. If he badmouthed Aria, they'd rip him apart.
Aria responded politely, then said, "I don't think this project requires my help."
Mandy agreed, but this was Fred's directive.
Fred quickly said, "Maybe not now, but it will eventually. You can get familiar with it in the meantime."
Aria didn't want to waste time. "Alright. Let's begin then."
The tension faded as the discussion got underway.
Samuel spoke the most, followed by Liam. He kept glancing at Aria, but she didn't look at him once.
When the group reached a sticking point, Mandy would have Aria comment. She concisely pointed out the issues and offered opinions. Tang would then finalize decisions without room for debate.
Knowing how antagonistic the group was, Fred assigned tasks to others while personally supervising the session.
Samuel had complaints but could only hold them in, especially with Fred constantly glaring at him.
By the time they wrapped up the first phase, it was already six o'clock. Liam said, "Let's have dinner together, my treat."
Mandy was about to refuse, but Fred beat him to it. "Great, everyone should go. Ms. Saxon, you come too. Just one meal."