chapter1075

Kevin honestly hadn't planned to pick Yara. He was going to choose someone who's about to graduate. But then Mr. Johnson stepped in, saying Lydia was only a freshman and already getting picked just because she was Kevin's favorite student. His granddaughter had always been at the top of her class, so why shouldn't she get a shot?

To avoid even more drama, Kevin just wrote Yara's name down. If she was cut out for it, they'd find out soon enough.

Lydia didn't know a thing about any of this. She was still passed out in her dorm, dead to the world. Ever since she'd been poisoned, the meds helped, but her energy just never came back all the way.

She was deep in a dream when someone started banging on her door. The loud knocking made her frown in her sleep.

Then a voice she didn't recognize called out. "Lydia, are you in there?

Lydia sat up, her hair a mess, her mood even worse. "What do you want?" Her voice was sharp and cold.

The door swung open. In walked a tall, skinny girl with long hair, looking at least two years older than Lydia. She stared, shocked to see Lydia still in bed.

"Why aren't you up yet? Didn't Dr. Tomlinson say we have to be at the hospital at ten to watch a live surgery?"

Lydia just looked at her, not even trying to hide her annoyance. Who are you?"

Marilyn let out a short, frustrated laugh. "I'm Marilyn. We're on the international competition team together. Training starts today, so get moving. Everyone's waiting for you."

It finally clicked for Lydia. Last night, she'd been added to some group chat about training. She hadn't bothered to read the messages. Now, hearing Marilyn, she didn't even hesitate. You all go ahead. I'm not coming."

Marilyn looked at her like she'd grown a second head. "You're not going? Why not?"

"I don't need to," Lydia replied.

Going to the hospital to watch someone else do surgery? She really had no interest.

Marilyn scoffed. "Lydia, just because you won first in the academic competition doesn't mean you can act like this. There's always someone better out there. Do you really think surgery is as easy as talking about it?"

Before Lydia showed up, Marilyn was the pride of Capital Med School. Every competition, every year, she took first place. But once Lydia. arrived everyone only talked about Her Manlyn couldn't help but feel bitter. If she'd had a mentor like Mr. Moore, she was sure she'd be even better than Lydia. Lydia just got lucky with her teacher. When it came to actual surgery, Marilyn didn't think Lydia could outdo her.

Suddenly, Lydia's whole vibe changed. The room felt colder, and Marilyn, who'd

been about to lecture her some more, just stopped talking. Something about Lydia's eyes was honestly scary.

Lydia didn't want to waste any more breath. "Stop bothering me."

Marilyn laughed, more out of rage than humor. "Fine, be that way. Just don't embarrass us in front of everyone."

"Save your energy," Lydia said flatly.

Marilyn stomped her foot, huffed, and slammed the door shut behind her.

The others outside, who'd been waiting for Marilyn to bring Lydia along, looked confused when Marilyn came back alone, clearly fuming. Marilyn, where's Lydia?

Still angry Marilyn didn't even think before snapping, "She wanted to sleep in Said she doesn't need the training. Furied to talk to her but she just gave me attitude. I can't believe she's actually like this."