The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1852

"I..."

Stella's frown deepened. Just as she was about to deny it, the host's voice echoed from the stage.

"Settle down, everyone."

In an instant, the students scrambled back into their seats, eyes wide and necks craned toward the front.

"Next, please join me in giving a warm welcome to the senior researcher of the International Forensic Association, Roger."

As a sharply dressed Roger stepped out, thunderous applause erupted across the hall.

Stella clapped along with the crowd, lifting her gaze to the stage.

He wore a tailored black suit over a crisp white shirt. With no tie, the look struck a perfect balance between formal and effortlessly relaxed.

A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, and every subtle movement he made radiated an innate sense of nobility.

"Oh my god, he's so hot," a classmate whispered, nudging Stella's shoulder, her eyes practically sparkling. "The Gates family has insane genetics. They're all so ridiculously good-looking.

Right, Stella?"

Stella pursed her lips, not entirely agreeing with the sentiment. "Charlotte is the prettiest," she murmured.

"True." The girl didn't argue but muttered, "Still, it's kind of weird. I get why the forensic science majors are here, but we're in psychology. What does this have to do with us?"

"I don't know," Stella replied, shaking her head.

To be honest, that exact question had been lingering in her mind for a while. It really was strange.

Two minutes later.

Roger and the university officials took their seats, and a hush fell over the auditorium.

"Right." He gave a brief nod, his deep, magnetic voice filling the room. "The relevance for the forensic students goes without saying. As for why the rest of the departments were invited to join us today..."

Hearing this, Stella and her classmates looked up in unison. They were dying to know.

"Forensic experts also need to understand the psychology of the deceased."

"The case files I've prepared today involve many individuals with psychological disorders. Understanding the living holds more value than understanding the dead. More importantly, it can save lives."

The explanation clicked for everyone in the room. It was a motivational push for them to excel in their studies. Two seemingly unrelated majors were, in fact, deeply intertwined.

"That concludes my introduction," Roger finished, his gaze drifting back toward the center seats. "I hope we all have a productive time together today."

As the final word left his mouth, his eyes settled squarely on Stella's face.

Her fingers trembled, and her pen clattered to the floor.