---- Chapter 178 'The warm smile on Gregory's face helped calm the nerves that had been building in Wendy's chest. She let out a breath. "Ijust don't want this to affect Liam's reputation. You know me-I don't care what people say about mmr Gregory nodded. "Of course I know that. Don't overthink it. I actually think Liam's great. He has a sharp mind, and honestly, you're a match in abilities. You saw how he stood up for you in front of everyone earlier.

He didn't even blink about offending Nathaniel." Wendy looked worried. "That's just because I didn't react fast enough. What if Dr. Quinn gets the wrong impression of him because of me..." She trailed off, her brows furrowing. "Oh, come on. Nathaniel wouldn't hold it against him. He actually likes Dr. Harrison quite a bit. He even asked me privately if Liam was thinking about staying in the country." Gregory's words did a lot to ease her anxiety. She tilted her head.

"What did you tell him?" "I said, even if Liam did want to stay, I doubt Nathaniel would get to have him asa student." Gregory laughed heartily after that, and Wendy couldn't help ---- but smile. "Dr. Quinn's accomplished a lot, though," she said. "If Liam. ever got the chance to work under him, I think he'd be thrilled. She didn't notice the subtle shift in her tone, but Gregory sure did. He clicked his tongue with a teasing smile. "Now I get it. It's no wonder you two get along so well.

Turns out it's not just Liam going to bat for you-you're sticking up for him too." Out in the hallway, Liam overheard the conversation through the closed door. His lips curved into a soft smile as he turned and walked away, clearly satisfied. That evening, like always after a symposium, there was a dinner gathering. Wendy and Liam attended together alongside Gregory. The dinner hadn't officially started yet. A few early guests were lounging on the couch in the private room, chatting idly.

Wendy's phone started buzzing in her purse. She glanced down, frowning at the unfamiliar number. Liam noticed. "Do you want me to take it?" She shook her head and silenced the call. "Nah. It's just spam calls." Still, the phone kept ringing. ---- With a sigh, she stepped out of the room to take it. As soon as she reached the hotel lobby, she heard a cluster of low voices -not too loud, but laced with snide laughter and unmistakable mockery. "She's married, isn't she?

So why is she all over another guy like that?" "Right? I heard she even asked to share an office with Dr. Harrison." "Tmean, come on, one man and one woman, locked in a room together all day? You telling me nothing's going on?" "I think Dr. Harrison's just being polite. She's probably the one throwing herself at him." Wendy froze at the entrance, the words hitting her squarely in the gut. She knew instantly who they were talking about- there was no mistaking it.

Her fingers tightened around her phone, which finally stopped vibrating. She glanced up and saw the familiar faces huddled just outside. Julian, of course, was right in the middle of it, getting the most laughs. "T only asked one question in that meeting , and did you see Liam's face?" he sneered. "As if I'd insulted royalty." His voice was shrill and grating.

"T don't even know what I said that got Wendy's ego so ---- bruised, but it was enough for Liam to jump up like he was her personal guard dog." Wendy's expression darkened. She could let the trash talk about herself slide. That was nothing new. But dragging Liam through the mud for standing by her? That crossed the line. Without a second thought, she strode straight toward them.