Chapter 166: Obsessed, Shipping Like Crazy

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Obsessed, Shipping Like Crazy

A wave of laughter swept through the audience. All eyes were on Miles Warren, waiting for his answer.

This jolted Claire Kendall wide awake. She stared at the man on stage with keen interest.

Miles Warren held the microphone and began to speak in a slow, deliberate voice.

"I think you may have gotten one thing wrong."

"During my four years of university, I didn’t date, but it wasn’t because my studies were too demanding. It was because I was secretly in love with someone the entire time."

A secret crush?!

The entire hall erupted in an instant, with gasps of surprise echoing one after another.

"What? I thought our campus legend was above such mortal desires."

"The academic god himself! Had a secret crush on someone?"

"Someone like him, a man who has everything, had to pine for someone in secret?"

The student who had asked the question grew even more excited.

"So, Miles, did you ever win her over? The girl you had a crush on? Are you together?"

A victorious smile played on Miles Warren’s lips.

"I did. We’re married now, and she’s right here in the audience."

His tone shifted, a hint of playful grievance entering his voice. "However, it seems my lecture is so boring that my wife just fell asleep."

In an instant, dozens of pairs of eyes swiveled in unison toward Claire Kendall.

She was the only one in the entire hall, sitting in the front row, sleeping so peacefully.

The stares were intense, curious, and filled with the thrill of a real-life romance.

A shiver went down her spine. The hall erupted in thunderous laughter, and Claire Kendall’s face instantly flushed crimson.

The microphone was passed to the next person in line.

A lazy, disdainful male voice suddenly cut through the air.

"Miles Warren, did you withdraw from clinical practice because of that eight-month-old baby girl who died under your care?"

The laughter in the hall died instantly. A dead silence fell over the room.

Everyone turned in stunned disbelief.

Felix Warren stood nonchalantly in the crowd. He showed no sign of backing down; in fact, he seemed to be relishing the attention, a careless smirk on his face as he twirled the microphone in his hand.

When Claire Kendall saw him, her expression darkened instantly, her brows knitting together.

’It’s him again. How disgusting! It feels like being pestered by a fly.’

On stage, Miles Warren faced a sea of scrutinizing, doubtful stares.

He spoke, his voice steady and frank. "There were no issues with the procedure during that surgery. The problem occurred during post-operative care."

"As the lead surgeon, I do bear responsibility for a failure in supervision."

The students in the audience gasped, whispering amongst themselves.

"Is it true?"

"It’s true there was never a news report clarifying the situation."

"Miles Warren was responsible for a patient’s death? That can’t be right."

The murmurs drilled into Claire Kendall’s ears, and a deep unease settled in her chest.

The next second, she stood up, walked steadily onto the stage, and took the microphone directly from his hand.

Miles Warren froze, his gaze falling on the woman now standing protectively in front of him.

Claire Kendall’s voice was laced with suppressed fury as she faced the entire audience.

"The medical records for that surgery are publicly accessible. The surveillance footage is complete. The hospital administration has reviewed the case multiple times. Miles Warren had a flawless operational record throughout the entire procedure, with zero violations."

"The infant’s death was caused by a deliberate act of sabotage post-op. Someone framed him. The medication was contaminated. Why should a doctor who faithfully performed his duty be made to suffer for it?"

Claire Kendall struggled to compose herself.

"Right. I came up here in such a rush, I forgot to introduce myself."

"I’m Claire Kendall, a graduate of Aethel University’s School of Design, class of ’17. I’m the founder of OCHH, and I’m also—"

Claire Kendall took his hand. "—Miles Warren’s wife."

From the audience, someone shouted, "I know her! She’s ranked third in our university’s Hall of Fame! She’s the first Asian to win that international design competition!"

"You’re Nati?!"

Almost everyone knew the name Nati, but few knew her real name.

Claire Kendall nodded.

’Are these two a power couple straight out of a novel?’

Claire Kendall’s sharp gaze swept over Felix Warren as she deliberately slowed her speech.

"And since I have the floor, I’d like to take this opportunity to announce the official launch of the children’s charity fund, named after my brand, Moonstone. The initial donation of five million will come directly from Moonstone and will be used entirely for the treatment of congenital infant nephropathy."

"I personally guarantee that Dr. Warren and I will follow up on every single infant’s case."

Claire Kendall glanced at the man beside her and continued.

"At the same time, Miles Warren has established a physician’s assistance fund. It’s for all doctors who have been victims of violence in the workplace, targeted by smear campaigns, or harmed by malicious patient disputes."

Claire Kendall looked up, her gaze sweeping over the young, bright-faced medical students in the audience.

"After you graduate, if you remain determined to enter this profession, the fund established by Professor Warren will be your safety net."

She turned to Miles Warren, her voice clear and her words deliberate.

"You dedicate yourselves to medicine, uphold your ethics, and save lives. You protect life... and I can protect you."

The lecture hall fell completely silent.

Then, thunderous applause erupted, swelling into a deafening roar that grew louder and louder.

Miles Warren stood frozen, his hand held tightly in Claire Kendall’s.

His fingers trembled. He was struggling to control his emotions.

Claire Kendall’s voice cut through the noise. "Felix Warren, did you come here today to actually listen to the lecture, or did you come just to cause trouble and slander him?"

The nonchalant expression on Felix Warren’s face completely crumbled.

He knew when he came that one question wouldn’t be enough to really shake Miles Warren. But he never expected that it would just give Claire Kendall a stage to put on such a grand performance for him. He’d tried to pull a fast one and ended up shooting himself in the foot.

The surrounding students had already turned on him.

"He’s not in the medical school! He doesn’t even go to Aethel University!"

"Crashing a lecture just to cause trouble? Get out!"

"Someone report him! Get him permanently banned from Aethel University!"

The shouts grew louder, and some students looked ready to get physical. Felix Warren knew better than to provoke the crowd’s fury. He shot a cold glare at the stage and mouthed, ’You two just wait!’ Then he slammed the microphone down and stormed out.

Claire Kendall pulled Miles Warren off the stage and out of the lecture hall.

As soon as they found a secluded spot, she yanked her hand free and glared at him.

She was so angry, the rims of her eyes were red with fury.

"Miles Warren, are you mute?"

"Why didn’t you explain yourself back there?"

"I know you still feel guilty about that little girl, but that doesn’t mean you should just let people sling mud at you! Don’t you get it?!"

"When are you finally going to be a little selfish and learn to love yourself?"

Miles Warren stood across from her, watching the woman who was so furious on his behalf.

’He couldn’t register what his wife was saying. All he wanted was to kiss her fiercely, to crush her in his arms.’