The Return Of the Invincible Heiress
Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Chapter 197

After Jaden found out that Brandon had returned home, he rushed to Rosemont City in the van used to deliver ingredients to the restaurant the next morning and went straight to the villa. As soon as he saw Brandon, he immediately rushed forward and hugged him tightly. After an extended period of time, Jaden said, "Welcome home!"

Avery could tell that, perhaps because the two of them were about the same age, they seemed to have more in common. For the next three days, Jaden was practically Brandon’s shadow. The two of them visited Fiona and Cade, helped out at the restaurant, and walked around Bard Property and Viento Court. They even went to the kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school they used to attend together. At night, the two of them—along with Zayn—often sat together and drank. They seemed to have endless things to talk about.

Three days later, it was time for Jaden to return to the village. Brandon did not go with him because he had to prioritize Fiona and Cade. The restaurant was closed from two to five in the afternoon. After they had lunch there, Brandon watched Jaden leave in a car. Then, he got into Avery’s car and prepared to go to the hospital to visit Fiona and Cade.

At that very moment, his phone rang. He frowned slightly when he saw the familiar string of numbers. He had changed his phone number as soon as he returned to the country. How did she get my new number so quickly? Well, as expected of a genius, Brandon answered his own query.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he picked up the call and spoke coldly, "Hello?"

The other party sounded very anxious. "Brandon, you finally picked up the phone. Is everything alright on your side?"

Brandon replied calmly, "I’m doing very well now. You don’t have to worry about me. In the future, you don’t have to call me anymore."

The person on the other end of the line said, "Wait, I’ve already returned to—"

Brandon hung up before she could finish her sentence. However, she kept calling, so he simply set his phone to silent mode and refused to answer.

Avery just drove quietly and didn’t ask anything. The restaurant was a little far from the hospital where their grandparents were staying. They had to pass through many intersections along the way. After numerous stops, they finally reached the hospital—nearly an hour later.

Avery had just parked the car by the roadside and was about to get out when a small car sped past theirs and blocked her way. A smartly dressed young woman got out, hurried to the front of their car, and waved.

Brandon’s face darkened slightly. He said to Avery, "Wait in the car. You can get out after I send her away."

Avery replied with a smile, "Alright."

After Brandon got out, he closed the door and walked to the woman. "Let’s go to the side and talk."

The woman threw Avery—still in the car—a glance and followed Brandon about four or five meters away. Then, she spoke to him with an excited expression, her hands gesturing non-stop, her body language vibrant.

Brandon’s reaction was intense. His face wasn’t as gentle and friendly as when he was with his family—only coldness and malice remained. He could be seen yelling as he shook his head and waved his hands vigorously. It was obvious that they couldn’t come to an agreement.

After arguing for five or six minutes, the woman grabbed Brandon’s arm as if to coerce him. However, he forcefully pushed her hand away and took a few steps forward. He yanked her car door open, clearly wanting her to leave.

The woman cried, but Brandon remained unmoved, his expression growing colder. When she refused to get in the car, he left her and strode into the hospital building. The woman chased after him, their silhouettes fading into the entrance.

Avery didn’t move, but her expression was stoic and solemn—her gaze even held a killer’s intensity.

A few minutes later, the woman walked out in a daze, wiping her tears as she returned to her car and drove away.

Avery’s phone rang. It was Brandon. His voice was gentle. "Avery, I’ve already entered the hospital building. You can go back now. Thank you for sending me here."

Avery smiled, hearing nothing unusual in his tone. "Alright, I’ll go back first."

After hanging up, she slowly started the car, her eyes colder than a winter gust. Her mind spun faster than a wheel.

"Miracle" had a really good soundproof system. One couldn’t hear voices a few meters away when seated in the car. However, Avery could lipread—she had seen almost everything Brandon said to that woman.

Now, she finally understood why Brandon had suddenly returned to the country alone without telling anyone—why he had hidden himself and kept his whereabouts a secret.

The actual reason?

Brandon had been expelled from university.

The reason? He had falsely accused his professor of plagiarizing his graduation thesis.

Of course, Avery believed Brandon was innocent.

That woman was Brandon’s classmate. They were from the same faculty but different majors under different professors.

Brandon had spent nearly four years collecting, analyzing, and summarizing big data. On this foundation, he had established an efficient and practical big data model—one that could be directly applied in advanced artificial intelligence development.

But just as he was finalizing his thesis, waiting to graduate with his bachelor’s degree, he discovered his data and model in his professor’s published thesis.

Brandon’s professor had won a major prize with stolen work, skyrocketing his reputation.

Brandon was devastated. He confronted his professor, demanding an explanation, but the man denied everything—instead, he accused Brandon of false allegations and theft.

Unwilling to back down, Brandon filed a formal complaint with the university. But his professor was a well-known industry expert, with connections and prestige that easily crushed a student with no money, power, or backing.

Brandon’s evidence was dismissed. The university sided with the professor’s "proof."

He fought back—publishing his evidence, appealing to academic journals, award committees, even staging silent protests on campus.

Nothing worked.

His classmates told him this was common, urging him to apologize and beg for his degree. His professor even offered "forgiveness" if Brandon repented.

"Not over my dead body."

Brandon’s pride wouldn’t let him kneel. He escalated his protests—until his professor retaliated.

Classmates and researchers were pressured to accuse Brandon of misconduct. The university, influenced by his professor’s power, expelled him.

Broken and exhausted, Brandon once stood atop a university building, ready to drag his professor to death with him—until thoughts of his family stopped him.

Instead, he packed his things and returned home alone, hiding in obscurity to lick his wounds.

Now, Avery—who knew the truth—was furious.

The angrier she grew, the calmer she became.

"Is it such an achievement to crush a powerless student with status and authority?"

A cold, bloodthirsty smile curled her lips.

"An eye for an eye. I’ll make you feel what your victims endured."

"You’ll pay an irreparable price for everything you’ve done."

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