Chapter 644 An Honor
Catherine did not embrace Amelia’s good intentions.
This approach was too foolish. If she could find the thought process online, so could any other student. Getting caught would be the real humiliation, and Catherine would become the laughingstock.
As long as Catherine didn’t want to, no one could force her to do anything.
It was not that she disrespected the teacher by not coming up to solve the problem; it was just that even if she did, this teacher already held a grudge against her and would not let her go.
The classmates, sensing the tense atmosphere in the classroom, couldn’t help but discuss in hushed tones.
“I heard that this teacher went to the principal. She strongly insisted that if Catherine doesn’t attend class, even if the school doesn’t expel her, she will give Catherine a failing grade for the final exams, ensuring she never graduates.”
“So, it’s all because of the fear of expulsion. I thought Catherine was so amazing, but it seems not.”
“The weak cannot overcome the strong, right? After all, she is a teacher, and Catherine is just a student.”
“Her arrogant attitude won’t change anything, even if she comes to class. The teacher will still be upset. If she’s so capable, why not solve the problem.”
The surrounding discussions continued, and Catherine, hearing them, paid no attention and read her book with an expressionless face.
However, the teacher at the podium had no intention of letting Catherine off so easily. She wrote another problem on the blackboard and then stared directly at Catherine. “This problem is simple enough, right? Come up and write down the solution steps.”
It was indeed a straightforward problem; many had already figured out the solution, but they also understood the teacher was intentionally making it difficult for Catherine. If Catherine said she couldn’t do it now, it would genuinely be on purpose.
Openly defying the teacher was not a minor offense. With an expressionless face, Catherine stood up, walked to the front, and politely took the chalk from the teacher’s hand. She didn’t seem angry with the teacher who intended to give her a hard time.
She heard a disdainful snort from the teacher behind her as she turned around. “Humph.”
Without saying anything, Catherine quickly wrote down the steps of the solution on the blackboard.
As she was about to leave, Catherine suddenly stopped. She casually wrote down the solution for the so-called difficult problem beneath it.
Seeing Catherine returning to her seat, the teacher turned around and was ready to mock Catherine. However, she paused upon seeing the answer.
Catherine not only solved the simple problem but also tackled the challenging one, providing a straightforward solution that was not only correct but also far simpler than the teacher’s complex process.
“Hold on!” the teacher suddenly shouted sternly.
Catherine stopped in her tracks, turning to face the teacher expressionlessly.
The teacher questioned her with a deep frown, “You clearly knew the solution, so why didn’t you come up earlier?”
Calm and composed, Catherine responded in a cold, clear voice, “I just thought of it.”
They said the problem was complex, so it was expected to take some extra time to think about it.
However, Catherine’s answer still shocked the teacher. It took her three days to come up with the solution, and hers was an unusually complicated process, unlike Catherine’s concise clarity.
In the teacher’s silent moment, Catherine said again, “There are three more ways to solve it.”
The teacher looked up sharply, watching Catherine with shining eyes.
She was a problem enthusiast, always fascinated by various problem-solving methods.
This was why she gave up a well- paying job in a foreign company and stayed to teach at the university. Here, she could pursue research and learn more purely while earning a considerable salary.
“Are you sure there are three more ways to solve it?” asked the teacher.
Catherine returned to the podium, and the teacher handed her the chalk again. This time, there was no mockery.
Catherine wrote down the other three solution methods on the blank space on the blackboard.
The entire class was stunned. After thinking for so long, they hadn’t even figured out the thought process. Catherine, however, had written out four ways to answer the question in a short time.
“Is this the difference between an ordinary person and a genius?” they thought.
Those who had been gossiping about Catherine were now silent, and even the teacher on the podium saw Catherine differently.
Unable to bear it any longer, the teacher asked, “Catherine, have you been working on experiments with Professor Hartley all this time?”
The rumors outside suggested Catherine had connections, especially with the principal. The principal and Marshall were like brothers, and it was said Catherine’s entry into the lab was due to these connections and was only for experiences.
This teacher loved to study complex problems in her daily life, and she was most displeased with this kind of student who pulled strings.
Coupled with the fact that Catherine had been on leave and hadn’t come to class, the teacher became increasingly dissatisfied with Catherine and couldn’t help but want to give her a hard time.
Catherine nodded without intending to explain further.
Amelia, beneath, couldn’t stand to see Catherine being bullied and quickly raised her hand, explaining to the teacher, “Ms. Bourn, I’m also in Professor Hartley’s lab, but I’m just doing odd jobs. Catherine is indeed working diligently in the lab every day, single-handedly managing an entire project. Other seniors can’t help, and even Professor Hartley occasionally comes to her for advice on lab-related matters. I can vouch for her; she didn’t skip class on purpose. She is genuinely working on experiments.”
All those present were taken aback by this statement.
Initially, they thought Catherine was just fooling around in the lab to add some experience to her resume for future job hunting.
After all, after graduation, having experience in Marshall’s lab would make anyone a target for major corporations.
However, Catherine not only went to the lab but also specifically managed a research project. What was even more terrifying was that even Marshall had to consult her on lab matters occasionally.
How did that sound so incredible? Yet, that was the truth; Super Catherine was indeed that formidable.
The way everyone looked at Catherine had changed. Catherine, however, remained expressionless. She seemed utterly unperturbed and showed no signs of being affected.
“Ms. Bourn, if there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my seat,” said Catherine.
The teacher paused momentarily, then subconsciously waved her hand, letting Catherine go back.
After Catherine sat down, some curious classmates approached her. ”
Catherine, did Professor Hartley really consult you?”
Catherine responded indifferently. “It’s not consulting; it’s just discussing problems with each other.”
Originally, becoming Marshall’s student was already a glorious thing. However, among their classmates, there was such a powerhouse. Now, all classmates looked at Catherine with admiration.
With such strength, Catherine’s future achievements were undoubtedly immeasurable. To be classmates with such a person was an honor.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the class to end. The latter half of this class felt like a dream.
Catherine pulled her hat from her drawer and put it on with a calm expression. She was about to leave when the teacher on the podium suddenly said again, “Catherine, wait!”
Those who were about to leave stopped in their tracks, wondering what the teacher was up to. “Is she planning to cause trouble for Super Catherine again?” they thought.
