When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 106

After landing a postdoc position, Naomi was supposed to focus on research, but she couldn’t settle on a direction. Even after going through stacks of academic papers, she still hadn’t found a good topic to pursue.

Her peers were already deep into their research projects, while she was the only one still undecided. This was wasting valuable time in her academic career. That was why Naomi decided to seek advice from Cedric.

Cedric was strict and rarely smiled. Most students considered him a tough advisor

approach.

Naomi definitely agreed with that assessment. Not wanting to face Cedric alone, Naomi had no choice but to drag Charles and Jason along, hoping their presence would make asking for advice less intimidating.

As Naomi explained her situation, Cedric said with an indifferent expression, “People who study medicine need to be fully committed to their studies and research. You’re always off performing somewhere, taking week–long leaves.

“After class, you never set foot in the library. If everyone came running to me with their problems like you do, then anyone could get a PhD. What’s the point of all these rules if they’re just for show?”

“I’m sorry, Professor Judd,” Naomi mumbled, her head bowed in embarrassment.

Cedric pushed up his glasses, his voice cutting. “You’re not apologizing to me–you’re letting yourself down. You wasted time getting into grad school, and now you’re wasting more time on your doctorate.

“If you don’t want to study medicine, then just quit. The country’s resources aren’t for you to use as a stepping stone. Wasting medical resources is disgraceful.”

Every word from Cedric was full of contempt for Naomi. Cedric had mentored plenty of top students, but none of them disappeared for days like Naomi did.

At night, many students were holed up in the lab, redoing experiments over and over just to get one piece of data.

Naomi’s head hung low, her face burning with embarrassment, her fingers digging into her knees in frustration. Cedric’s words were just as humiliating as a slap in the face.

She figured that with Charles and Jason there, Cedric would at least go easy on her. But to her surprise, Cedric tore into her right in front of them.

Cedric wasn’t wrong, but the way he said it was harsh and downright humiliating. And to make it worse, he said it right in front of Charles.

Charles stood quietly, listening as Cedric tore into Naomi, his face cold, clearly displeased. But he said nothing.

jason couldn’t hold back. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, “Hey, you old geezer, watch your mouth! Even if Naomi doesn’t go into medicine, she can still make a living. Who are you to judge her?”

Naomi quickly tried to calm him down. “Jason, don’t be like that. It’s really my own fault.”

But before she could finish, Jason jumped in. “Naomi, I just can’t stand seeing he give you a hard time.”

Cedric shot Jason a dismissive look. “If she can make a living, then maybe she should just give up on medicine now. Getting into a PhD program isn’t impressive–graduating is what really matters.”

As he finished, Cedric turned his gaze to Naomi. Her eyes were slightly red–she’d probably been crying. She looked fragile, not at all like someone cut out for medicine.

Seeing her like that just irritated Cedric further. He didn’t hold back as he said, “Choosing a research topic is the first hurdle for any PhD student. If you can’t even get past that, don’t even think about your dissertation. And let me be clear–medicine isn’t just about staying focused.

“You have to be able to handle being alone, dealing with silence. If you always need a crowd around you, then you’re not cut out for this. Honestly, you might as well quit and go get married.”

Naomi’s tears started flowing even harder. She kept her head down, too ashamed to look at either Cedric or Charles.

Seeing her stay silent, Cedric called her by her full name, his tone sharp. “Naomi Yates, do you think I’m right?”

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Chapter 106

Naomi barely nodded, too ashamed to speak.

Cedric smirked and turned to Charles, who had been silent the whole time. “Mr. Logan, what about you? Do you think I’m right?”

Charles didn’t step in because Cedric wasn’t wrong. But when he saw Naomi’s tears, he felt a pang of guilt. Under the table, he quietly slid his hand over hers.

At the same time, Charles looked up at Jason and said, “Jason, Cedric’s got a reason to be cocky. He’s trained a ton of top doctors, and he’s right–his student really did save your mom’s life.”

Jason sneered, full of contempt. “If people with money wanted to ruin them, they could do it with a word.”

Charles grew calmer. “You really think we’re the only ones backing Cedric?”

Jason froze for a moment, then realized that Cedric’s backing wasn’t just from Charles. There were other people involved as well. Charles didn’t name names but said, “Cedric’s not someone we can just push around

Jason got the message. Cedric’s status was on another level. He decided to drop the issue. But seeing Naomi still crying, he comforted her, “Naomi, if it’s too tough, you don’t have to stick with medicine.”

Naomi, her eyes still red, shook her head. “No, I’ve put too much into this to give up now.”

Charles turned to her, his lips pressed together. “If you know where you’re falling short, then put your heart into making up for it.” Naomi bit her lip and nodded. “I know. I will”

Charles placed a piece of dessert onto Naomi’s plate. “Just put your heart into your research and your thesis. Nail it, and Cedric won’t be able to hassle you”

Nagm’s mood finally lifted. She gave Charles a grateful smile and said, ‘Charles, thank you.”

Charles gave her a gentle smile. “I’ve been digging through some medical papers myself lately. If I spot a promising research direction, I’ll let you know.”

Jason, seeing their exchange, finally relaxed. Yesterday, when Charles mentioned Teresa, Jason had worried that he might still be interested in her. But now, he realized he had been overthinking it

With someone as intelligent and gentle as Naomi by his side, no one would choose a woman like Teresa, who offered nothing of value,

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