chapter931

By noon, everyone at Capital College was already buzzing about Lydia. Her story was everywhere, and it seemed like every conversation found its way back to her.

"The med school results are out. Guess who's at the top?" someone called out, while the math students were still pretending to focus on their worksheets. In reality, half of them were scrolling through updates on the school forum.

A guy snorted and said, "Who else could it be in the medical department? It has to be Daisy, right?"

Another chimed in, "Of course it's Daisy. She's from a family of doctors and started learning medicine as a kid. She's been part of the International Medical Association since forever. No newbie could ever beat her."

Lucinda, still struggling with a challenging math problem, paused and raised an eyebrow. So Lydia lost to Daisy? That would be perfect. Lucinda couldn't stand Lydia and her holier-than-thou attitude. If Daisy actually beat her today, she'd never let Lydia live it down. If only she wasn't stuck with this impossible question, she'd go watch the drama unfold herself.

But before she could finish that thought, someone clicked their tongue and said, "Honestly, I thought Daisy would take first place too, but guess what? It's Lydia. Lydia!"

Lucinda's mind went blank for a second. Lydia? Again? What happened to Daisy, the so-called prodigy with her fancy background and international credentials?

Another student jumped in, Right? Who would've guessed? Lydia's a part of that cancer research team. And she actually went to the border, made an antidote for the virus, and basically saved everyone. She's incredible.

"No way! Are you talking about that virus outbreak at the border a few days ago?" someone gasped.

"Exactly. People were dying, the city was locked down, but Lydia came through with a cure and ended the crisis. The country's about to give her an award."

Lucinda just sat there, stunned. Lydia had been gone a few days ago... Did she really go to the border? How was that even possible? How could Lydia be so capable?

"Wow. So who is this Lydia, anyway?" someone asked, almost in disbelief.

"You're not ready for this," another replied.

"Come on, don't keep us in suspense. Spill it already."

"She's the one and only disciple of Mr. Moore. He took her in as his student when she was five. How's that for impressive?"

At that, Lucinda couldn't focus on her math question anymore. Her thoughts were spinning. Lydia was Kevin's student? So she'd been close to Mr Moore since she was a a kid? Lucinda's hands curled into fists as her mind spiraled. She and Grace had always suspected something was off. Lydia must've been under Kevin's control since childhood. Kevin was the president of university, but he was probably some kind of predator. Lydia had no shame, letting herself get used like that and still tried to date Connor. Lucinda was determined to find proof and expose the real Lydia.

"And get this, before the competition, Daisy and Lydia even made a bet. The loser

Guys, maybe focus on this problem instead of gossiping, another student cut in, rolling his eyes.

Someone else nodded toward

Lucinda. "Come on, our math genius over there is the rich kid of the

group. If anyone can solve this it's

"

her. Just give her a little tipne ve

Lucinda couldn't help but sit up a little straighter, soaking in the praise. But the confidence faded just as quickly as it came. Today's problems were brutal, each one harder than the last, and she still had

no idea what to do with thenes

question. If she couldn't solve it, she'd be humiliated in front of everyone.

Up on stage, the judges checked the clock and scanned the audience.

"Time's almost up. Has anyone solved the last problem? If you have, come up to the stage. No need to submit it online."

Immediately, nearly every student glanced over at Lucinda. After all, she was the pride of the math department, their best chance.

Lucinda felt her face burn. She sat there, wishing she could just disappear. The judge locked eyes with her and called out, Lucinda, any progress yet?"