Initially, Xu Ke hadn't wanted to treat his alma mater this way. He knew that after what he said, his words would undoubtedly damage the university's reputation.

But he couldn't accept it.

From the moment Shan Lan posted her article yesterday until he walked into this press conference, not a single person from Tianhai University had come forward to stop her. They had let that long-winded article remain online.

Being slandered himself was one thing; he had the ability to handle it.

But why allow Qiu Mingli to be attacked and slandered as well?

To be fair, it was wrong of Qiu Mingli to bring his debt problems to the university, but he had already been punished for it.

Why should he have to continue enduring Shan Lan's insults? Why should he be maligned by strangers on the internet?

Will offending Tianhai University lead to offending many people? I don't care. Am I short on enemies?

Xu Ke considered himself one to never let an insult go unanswered. Tianhai University had clearly turned its back on him, so why should he bother saving face for his alma mater?

At that moment, Gong Hou, his face ashen, snapped back to his senses and said viciously, "But it's a fact that you let down Tianhai University and your former seniors. Aren't you going to apologize?"

He knew he was at a dead end, backed into a corner by the questions and accusations. His only way out was to prove that Xu Ke had embezzled the prize money, thus vindicating himself.

As expected, when Gong Hou raised his objection, all eyes turned back to Xu Ke, waiting for an explanation.

Seeing this, Xu Ke smiled. "Your demand for an apology is quite laughable. In that case, I might as well set the record straight.

"I wonder if Teacher Shan Lan is watching this press conference. You claim I embezzled scholarship funds, heh… I have four questions for you.

"First, four years ago, were you not officially censured by Tianhai University for maliciously delaying the distribution of student scholarships?

"Second, I was the one who reported you for embezzling student scholarships. How did the story become about me being the embezzler?

"Third, Teacher Qiu borrowed money to save his mother, which put him under unbearable financial pressure. Why should he be insulted by you for that?

"And fourth, I have a statement in my hands detailing the kickbacks you took from textbook fees. Would you care to explain what this means?"

As he finished speaking, the crowd was stunned. What was this?!

Gong Hou felt a growing sense of dread.

Watching the live stream, Shan Lan's lips began to tremble, and her face grew paler by the second. Could Yang Qing have deceived me?

The next moment, transaction records from four years ago suddenly appeared on the electronic screen behind Xu Ke.

The sight of the evidence sent a wave of shock through the room.

Gong Hou's legs gave out completely, and he collapsed back into his seat. It's over. It's all over.

Sitting in a corner, Wang Yu's face turned ashen. "Good for nothing but making a mess," she muttered through clenched teeth.

Now she understood. Wong Qifu wasn't just using this press conference to announce her engagement; she intended for it to become a stage for Xu Ke to utterly humiliate his opponents. And Shan Lan is just the beginning!

Shan Lan's face went deathly pale. Xu Ke… he actually has evidence?! I'm really done for this time.

She gnashed her teeth as she pulled out her phone. "Yang Qing, you bitch! You set me up!"

But after she sent the message, she saw an incoming call from the leadership of Tianhai University…

Shan Lan felt her body go limp, her fingers trembling.

The Tianhai University students watching the live stream were utterly silent.

No one had expected this. Xu Ke, the man they had been cursing all night and all morning, was in the clear. Teacher Qiu had only borrowed so much money to save his mother. And they had insulted him for it.

Meanwhile, Xu Ke had fulfilled his duty as class president, reporting Shan Lan on behalf of his classmates, only to be defamed by her and reviled by everyone.

They asked themselves honestly, if they were in Xu Ke's shoes, they would never have been able to endure it. He had spoken up for those whose scholarships were stolen, only to be condemned by the very people he protected.

Wasn't this a classic case of the Farmer and the Snake?

A profound sense of shame rendered them speechless.

Qiu Mingli, watching the broadcast, was moved to tears. For so many years, everyone believed he had lost his mind over money and gambled recklessly on the stock market. Only Xu Ke would speak up for him on an occasion like this.

Back in the Western restaurant, Yang Qing's expression was placid. Everything was going according to plan. She saw Shan Lan's message but immediately blocked her number. It was no surprise to her that Xu Ke would dispose of Shan Lan this way. After all, she had always intended to sacrifice Shan Lan to fan the flames of public opinion.

But I'm more curious about how Xu Ke will handle what comes next.

At the press conference, Xu Ke smiled faintly. "I've already submitted the evidence you've seen to the proper authorities. Gong Hou, do you have any more questions?"

Under Xu Ke's steady gaze, Gong Hou wanted nothing more than to flee in disgrace. But he couldn't run. He could only endure the searing stares of the crowd. Xu Ke's rebuttal had turned his impassioned crusade into an absolute joke. Right now, he just wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

Meanwhile, some of the more opportunistic reporters hastily snapped a few photos of Gong Hou. Although they were disappointed not to have captured a flustered Xu Ke, a shot of his alma mater junior looking utterly crushed after being ruthlessly refuted was still a valuable get.

As Gong Hou remained silent, Xu Ke decided not to press him further. He turned to the rest of the room. "Does anyone else have any questions?"

"Yes." The female reporter from before stepped forward again. "Mister Xu, out of respect for my colleague, I didn't interrupt his questions for you. But I still have a question."

Xu Ke smiled. "Ask away."

The reporter pushed up her glasses. "How do you explain your former mother-in-law and her son staging a protest with placards outside the Wang Family Corporation building, leveling bitter, tearful accusations against you?"

Her words immediately shifted the focus of the entire room. The attention of everyone watching the live broadcast, who had been quiet just moments before, was also instantly recaptured.

"First, a correction. She is not my former mother-in-law," Xu Ke said.

"Fine. Then how do you explain the fact that a Mrs. Chang and her son were protesting with placards outside the Wang Family Corporation?"

Xu Ke paused for a moment. "If you're asking about that incident, I can only say it's not the first time I've dealt with something like this."

The crowd was stunned by his response.

What kind of answer is that? Is he suggesting his ex's mother makes a habit of staging protests? Or is he some kind of trouble magnet who attracts this sort of thing wherever he goes?

Regardless, he had their complete attention. After the last ten minutes of confrontation, they were thoroughly intrigued by him. Although his initial attitude had been grating, it was precisely this attitude, combined with his status as Wong Qifu's fiancé, that attracted the most attention. They were already anticipating another one of his shocking statements.

A moment later, Xu Ke smiled. "I have to say, I admire the mother and son's energy. I seem to recall that Mrs. Chang's son received a fifteen-day administrative detention for splattering dog blood on my front door. I didn't expect him to be out causing trouble at the Wang Family Corporation so soon after his release. Truly admirable."

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