Kicked Out, She Came Back To Rule - Chapter 390: Chapter 390

"Only you called Professor Guzman a fool. Don't go blaming that on me. And who I visit is my business, and how Professor Guzman grades me is also my problem, not yours. Stop stirring the pot, Henry. Everyone here's smart enough to see through your act," Kaia retorted.
Jake's face darkened as he looked at Henry again, but he wouldn't let Kaia off the hook either.
"Leave this room, Kaia," Jake thundered, "and you'll fail my class. Maybe even fail to graduate."
"Then so be it." Kaia gave Jake an indifferent glance, then turned and walked out without another word.
Jake was so furious that he almost lost it, slamming the chalkboard eraser down on the desk. "In all my years of teaching, I've never met a student like her!"
At the back of the room, Henry lowered his head, a thin smile curling on his lips, and thought, 'Let's see how far you fall, Kaia.'
And as for Lailah, Henry was convinced she couldn't possibly have anything to do with Horace. He was certain Kaia must have used some underhanded means, seizing hold of Lailah's weakness, which explained all the strange things Lailah had been doing lately.
The hospital room was quiet. Kaia stood by the window, natural light spilling across the crisp medical report in her hands. Her brows drew together as she studied the results.
On the bed, Horace smiled faintly, his face pale but eyes bright with the same mischief that had carried him through decades of academia. "Don't worry, my dear. It's nothing serious."
Kaia's lips pressed into a thin line. "You know I'm good with medicine," she replied. "It's not optimistic."
She set the report aside and reached for his wrist. Her fingers were light but precise as she felt his pulse—thin, faint, and disturbingly irregular.
"You need rest," Kaia said firmly. "Stop worrying about the university."
Horace chuckled, the sound soft but genuine. "You're right, which is exactly why I've decided—Morganburg University will be in your hands now. I trust you'll make it thrive."
Kaia sighed quietly, rubbing her temple. She'd seen this coming the moment she received the hospital call.
"If you don't agree," he added dramatically, "I'll drag myself back to work, even in this condition. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
It was pure manipulation—and Kaia knew it. But the frail look in Horace's eyes made it impossible for her to refuse outright.
"I can help manage things temporarily," Kaia relented. "But taking the title of principal—"
"Kaia," Horace interrupted before Kaia could finish speaking, his tone softening into fondness. "You've never cared about titles or fame. You've always done your work out of passion alone. You hide it well, that quiet joy whenever your research succeeds—but I see it."
Kaia's expression softened despite herself. Horace knew her too well.
"Education is just as meaningful as research," Horace went on, his voice gaining strength. "Especially here, at Morganburg University. We gather elites from around the world. With the right guidance, they will become the nation's pride. Take Lailah, for example—she once lost her way, grew complacent. But you changed that. Without you, she might've wasted her talent. Doesn't that count for something?"
Kaia hesitated and thought to herself, 'It did.'
Noticing Kaia beginning to cave, Horace pressed on. "Don't you want to see more students like her find their path again?"
"But the research institute keeps me busy already," Kaia said quietly. "If I split my focus, I'll fail at both. You're the one who taught me that—success requires focus."
"Yes, yes," Horace said, coughing lightly. "I remember saying that. But you're different."
Kaia's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Different?"
When Kaia gave him that look, Horace hurried to cover up, stammering while waving his hand, "I mean, you're no ordinary person. You're extraordinary! That's what I meant!"
And when Kaia still didn't look convinced, Horace just dropped the topic. "You basically excel at everything, Kaia."
"I wouldn't say that," Kaia said modestly. "Aside from my research, everything else is just a hobby."
Horace clutched his chest in mock despair. As the head of Morganburg University—the top school in town—he was supposed to be the wise and talented mentor everyone admired. But right then, after hearing Kaia's words, he just felt utterly small and pathetic.
"A hobby, you say. Your piano skills alone could rival the president of the Piano Association!" Horace groaned dramatically.
"That's just for fun," Kaia said with a faint smile. "It helps me think."
Horace sighed, half exasperated, half amused. "How about this—treat being the principal as another hobby? You don't have to handle the daily grind. Just step in for the important decisions. Deal?"
If anyone else had overheard that, they'd have thought the man delirious. Calling the principalship of Morganburg University a side hobby? Unthinkable.
Kaia was silent for a moment. Then, finally, she nodded. "I'll act as principal temporarily. Once you recover, I'll hand it back."
"Good, good!" Horace grinned so wide his cheeks wrinkled. "Then we're all set!"
But deep down, he was already thinking smugly, 'As if I'd ever be well enough to give this spot back—took me ages to rope you in, and now you're not getting away!'
He settled back into his pillows, looking far more content than his condition warranted. "You should head back now. I'll have my assistant arrange a quick handover meeting—just a few senior staff."
Kaia pinched her brow, groaning, "I prefer it that way—getting dragged into the spotlight is the last thing I need."
"Sure thing, just the senior staff, no grand announcement. We'll have a simple meeting, let them know you're the new principal. Nice and subtle, right?" Horace replied smoothly.