"Miss Lowell…"
Bianca's composure was crumbling. She could only instinctively deny it, her voice trembling. "I didn't plagiarize. I didn't."
Henry, feeling a surge of pity, stepped forward to shield her from the reporters. "Stop filming! She'll grant you an interview once this is all cleared up!"
The reporters, of course, ignored him and continued to snap photos of Bianca.
In that moment, Seth seemed to be the only rational one in the room.
He asked in a calm, measured tone, "How can you prove her paper was plagiarized?"
"That's right, show us the proof! Otherwise, this is slander!" Lillian, emboldened by Seth's support for Bianca, found her voice again.
Henry added urgently, "Professor, could there be some misunderstanding? Bianca published several papers during her time at WT Business School. She would never make a mistake like this!"
"Then let her provide evidence to prove she didn't plagiarize," Halley replied, not in a hurry to argue.
Henry quickly turned to Bianca. "Bianca, you must have the original manuscript, right?"
"I do, but I'll need to contact my doctoral advisor. He supervised me on this paper, and he has clear evidence that will prove my innocence."
In that moment, Bianca was grateful to Henry.
As long as she could contact William, the whole problem would be solved.
William had provided the thesis idea and the manuscript.
If she asked, he would certainly vouch for her.
Hearing this, Henry quickly pleaded her case to Halley. "Professor, she says she can prove it. Please give her a chance."
"Very well."
Halley also wanted to find out how this paper had been leaked.
With permission granted, Bianca felt a wave of relief.
She stood up and said to the room, "I'm going to step outside to make a call."
Lillian immediately chimed in, "I'll go with you!"
He then asked curiously, "So, what was Noreen's thesis topic?"
"The theoretical application of mathematics in financial markets, and how to apply these theories to highly practical, profitable strategies by calculating predictable patterns in market behavior."
Professor Selwyn's interest was immediately piqued. "I'd like to see it."
Halley generously shared it.
Dylan also leaned in for a look.
"You scored her too low! This score is far too low!" Professor Selwyn exclaimed as he read.
Henry felt a tremor in his chest.
He wanted to see it too.
But his legs felt rooted to the spot, refusing to move.
Besides, he felt that looking at Noreen's paper now would be a betrayal to Bianca.

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