BookToReadChapter 481 When Grady's doubts echoed through the hall, even sof the audience began to waver. They all knew just how astonishing Elodie's presentation had been-by any standard, it was nothing short of world-class.
And Grady did have a point.
How old was Elodie, really? She had only just turned twenty-five. For most people, that's still the age of graduate studies or slogging through the early years of a PhD. Even among prodigies, few would have accomplished more than following in their advisor's footsteps, slowly learning the ropes.
But Elodie? She had already driven major breakthroughs in flight control systems at VistaLink Technologies, producing results that left experts in awe. Not only that, she'd authored academic papers so exceptional that even the leading minds in the field offered their praise. She was decades ahead of her peers-perhaps even ahead of what most would call genius-without the so-called years of experience most deemed necessary. The more people thought about it, the harder it was to believe.
So when the questions started, it was inevitable that swould begin to doubt. Maybe, just maybe, Elodie was no different from everyone else—maybe she just knew how to play the game, how to claim a crown that didn't belong to her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtOut of the thousands present, sbelieved, and sdidn't.
But they didn't know the whole story.
When Alexander spoke up, Sylvie's carefully constructed calm shattered in an instant. She couldn't hide the shock that flickered in her eyes. She tried to convince herself that Alexander didn't mean what she thought.
But Alexander, hands in his pockets, looked right at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Yes," he said, "these are Elodie's own work." Only then did Sylvie's composure break completely.
She whipped her head toward Elodie, who stood quietly off to the side. Elodie's eyes met hers, calm and untroubled, as if she had never once considered Sylvie a rival. To Sylvie, it was humiliating-like a blade twisting in her chest.
Alexander turned to the dean. "We have two more of Elodie's papers that could be valuable for the students here. They're in the Verdant University database. Is it all right if we keep the presentation going a little longer?" "By all means," the dean replied.
Grady frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?" Alexander shot him a cold look. "It means we're making sure Mr. Mercer is convinced, beyond all doubt." Preparations on stage moved quickly. When the journal covers appeared on the big screen, the crowd of students stirred with excitement. Gasps rippled through the hall.
Every student in the department recognized those two papers. Professors had referenced them countless times; everyone knew them inside out.
Sylvie stared at the screen, her face draining of color. So that author she'd noticed during her trip to New York City-that had been Elodie all along.
And both papers had been published five years ago.
Five years ago, Elodie was just twenty.
Alexander took his time, glancing at Sylvie's stricken expression before asking, "Ms. Fielding, do you still think Elodie's not qualified to publish papers beyond your level?" He added, "And five years ago, Elodie wasn't even a doctoral student, so who, exactly, would have written them for her?" He was throwing Grady's earlier accusations right back at him-publicly, for everyone to hear.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmSylvie's face tightened. Anger churned inside her, fueled by Alexander's sharp words and by Grady's earlier comment that had put her in the line of fire. She said nothing. A chill crept over her goosebumps rising on her arms as a tidal wave of panic threatened to pull her under.
But Alexander had never cared for Sylvie's response. All he wanted was for everyone to see the difference between her and Elodie.
The students' excitement was palpable, but even the most distinguished scholars in the room were stunned. All eyes turned to Elodie.
No wonder Mr. Sterling had taken notice of her.
Only now did they truly understand the brilliance of Mr. Sterling's judgment. How could someone so talented have remained in obscurity for so long?
Grady, watching the reactions around him, finally realized just how om significant those two papers were.
But-
"Five years ago, Elodie was only twenty. How is that even possible..." m His throat felt dry as he glanced at Sylvie, noticing how rigid her posture had becas she struggled to contain her embarrassment. Jarrod had remained silent the entire time. When Grady's words faded into the air,
he looked for all the world like a bystander, as if the person under fire wasn't his own wife. Until "So what if you believe or not?" Waldron, who hadn't moved from his seat, shot Grady a disdainful look. "I read those papers five years ago.
They were absolutely Elodie's work, written on her own."
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