chapter924

All five people on the debate panel were throwing doubts at Lydia's results, and honestly, their arguments almost sounded convincing.

No one who'd won first place before had ever faced this kind of group attack.

It wasn't just the panel, either. Down in the audience, about eighty percent of the students were eyeing Lydia with suspicion.

Fiona and Monica were seething.

"This is so unfair! They couldn't win, so now they're teaming up to bring down Lydia?" Fiona grumbled, clenching her fists.

Everyone on that panel had some kind of grudge against Lydia. If you thought about it, they were just a bunch of sore losers who couldn't stand that she'd beaten them. Now here they were, picking a fight at the academic competition.

Lydia didn't seem bothered at all. She just curled her lips into a tiny, cool smile, her whole vibe radiating a kind of quiet defiance.

Over at the judges' table, Angelo and Stellan were thinking the same things as the debaters. They both believed Lydia must have had someone smart helping her. There was no way those answers were hers.

Daisy was supposed to be the medical genius. If even she hadn't come up with that answer, how could Lydia, who was basically a newbie, have done it?

To them, Lydia was the kind of person who would do anything to win.

"See, I told you her score was suspicious. Everyone's here just to question her," Angelo said, sounding almost pleased about it.

He still couldn't figure out why Desmond and Dr. Donley were so determined to defend Lydia. What was the connection there?

Capital Med School was about to turn into a giant joke.

If Desmond didn't change his mind, the Medical Research Institute would end up embarrassed too.

Stellan looked over at Desmond and Dr. Donley, pretending to be sympathetic. "Desmond, Dr. Donley, everyone can see what's going on. Are you really going to keep being so stubborn?"

Desmond stayed completely calm. "I believe in Lydia."

Dr. Donley nodded. Me too. I think she's going to surprise us all.

Angelo just laughed. Don't say we didn't warn you. If it turns out Lydia's score is fake, you two are going down with her."

Desmond replied, "You don't need to worry about us."

When Angelo and Stellan saw how unshakable they were, they turned to Dominick.

let

"Dominick, four of those students on stage are from your school. And Daisy, even though she's with Capital College now used to be Capitan Med School. She knows Lydia, so if she's doubtful too maybe there really is something off with Lydia's score. Are you sure you want to keep supporting her?"

Dominick was actually feeling a little uncertain but deep down he wanted to believe that Lydia was a hidden genics, someone who'd just kept her real abilities under wraps content

Besides, with Desmond and Dr. Donley both standing by Lydia, how could he, as a professor from Capital Med School, not back up his own student?

"Angelo, Stellan, let's just see how Lydia responds."

He figured if Lydia could prove herself, she'd shut everyone up, and even Daisy would have to accept it.

The host picked up the mic and called Lydia's name.

Lydia, could you please come to the stage and address the panel's questions?"

"Lydia..." Fiona and Monica looked at her, eyes full of worry.

Lydia gave them a quick nod. "It's okay."

She stood

up

her posture tall and relaxed. There was a natural confidence in the way she walked each step steady and sure, like she was moving to some secret rhythm only she could hear. The hem of her Sharp-cut pants swayed with each stride, creating a little breeze as she made her way to the stage.

By the time Lydia reached the front, every single person in the audience was watching her, completely spellbound.