Chapter 547 Done Independently


    Hayley''s POV:


    Francis''s expression was grave.


    +8 Pearls


    He sighed softly, then looked at me and said, "Hayley, you know I''ve always had high expectations for you."


    Recalling the rumors I''d skimmed through online carlier, I immediately understood the subtext behind


    his words.


    Keeping a polite smile, I replied calmly, "Professor Cain if there''s something you''d like to say, please be direct."


    He seemed slightly taken aback by my straightforwardness but quickly nodded. Turning to his desk, he pulled out two pieces of draft paper from under his teaching materials andid them t on the table.


    "These are the calctions from the math problems you solved earlier. Take a look-do they seem familiar?" he asked, his tone even.


    I nced down briefly and answered honestly, "Yes, they''re mine."


    I recall asking if anyone had guided you through these problems, and you said youpleted them independently," he continued.


    "That''s correct," I replied with the sameposed smile.


    Francis''s face darkened slightly. "Here''s the issue. This problem was created by Academician Ethan Drake. He personally confirmed that, so far, only one person has ever solved it sessfully-and the process was incredibly rigorous andplex."


    He tapped the paper. "But your solution is too simple. It raises serious suspicions of cheating."


    Meeting his disappointed, doubtful gaze, I simply smiled, unbothered.


    After a brief silence, I looked directly at him. "Professor Cain, if I''m not mistaken, there''s an international mathematicspetition'' happening in about a month correct?"


    "Yes," he nodded, somewhat puzzled. "Are you nning to participate? But you don''t have any experience with such events. And to enter an internationalpetition, you''d need to have won a gold medal in the national math contest first, which I doubt-"


    "There''s no ''doubt," I cut him off smoothly. "There are countless countries around the world. Somewhere, apetition is always taking ce. I''ll secure my spot in the international mathpetition before it


    starts."


    With that, I saw no point in dragging the conversation any further.


    "If there''s nothing else, I have an appointment this evening. I''ll be leaving now," I said casually.


    "Go ahead," Francis replied, waving his hand dismissively, his expression still filled with disappointment and disbelief.


    I nodded politely, then left his office without another word.


    Chapter 547 Done Independently


    As I approached the door, I spotted Mira leaning against the wall, clearly eavesdropping.


    +8 Pearls


    "What are you doing here?" I asked, only to realize a beatter that she was probably sent by Benjamin.


    Mira didn''t bother exining. Hands stuffed into her pockets, she turnedzily and started walking ahead of me.


    I followed her, and as we walked, it struck me that with everything I had nned, I couldn''t rely on Benjamin to pick me up all the time.


    After some thought, I stopped and called out, "Mira."


    She paused mid-step, her sharp brows knitting together like des. She stood there casually, shaking her right leg with a cocky, devil-may-care-attitude. "What?"


    "Drive," I said with a grin.


    Her eyes widened. "Wait, I''m your bodyguard and your driver now?"


    Half an hourter, Mira dropped me off at a car dealership downtown.


    I brought her along as I nned to pick out a modest, budget-friendly car.


    Normally, I''d just have my assistant, Thomas, handle something like this. But he was busy dealing with matters rted to the Shadow Pack, and I didn''t want to bother him.


    So, I decided to take care of it myself.


    The moment we walked in, the sales manager noticed us. But after realizing I was


    an ''Omega,'' his demeanor shifted to one of thinly veiled disdain, tantly ignoring


    us.


    Just then, a man dressed in shy designer clothes walked in with a woman clinging to his arm.


    The sales manager''s attitude changed instantly. He rushed over with an ingratiating smile. "Mr. Ortega! Perfect timing. We just got a new model in today. Would you like to take it for a spin?"


    That manzily chewed on some gum, his gaze drifting carelessly around the showroom.


    Suddenly, his eyesnded on me and lingered.


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