Halley Joyner shot another irritated nce at Noreen Gilmore, and Noreen''s head sank even lower.


    Observing Professor Joyner''s reaction, Bianca Lowell allowed herself a silent, satisfied smile. Halley was notoriously particr about academic credentials, and upon learning Bianca held a doctorate from a prestigious university, he had be much more engaging. When she''d mentioned a recent research paper, Halley had seized the opportunity to test her, presenting a problem from this year''s International Mathematical Olympiad.


    Bianca epted with a show of humility, studying theplex problem meticulously. It was an advanced-level question, and she hesitated, deep in thought, unable to even begin.


    Seth Harcourt leaned over her shoulder. "A bit rusty after being out of practice for so long?"


    Bianca offered an embarrassedugh. "You caught me. It''s been ages since I''ve tackled anything like this. It''s a little difficult for me."


    "That''s understandable," Halley said, his tone more philosophical than consoling. "Excellence is born from diligence and lost to idleness. Once most people enter the workforce, their focus splinters. It''s hard to maintain that kind of concentration."


    Ron Archer peered at the paper curiously. "This is a tough one, no doubt about it." "Want to give it a try?" Halley asked him.


    Ron immediately waved his hands in refusal. "Oh, don''t do that to me, Professor. It''s been decades since I''ve looked at anything like this. My brain would probably short-circuit."


    Seeing that no one could solve it, Halley looked rather disappointed and was about to retrieve the paper.


    Just then, Bianca nced at Noreen, who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange, offering no opinion whatsoever. She certainly wasn''t participating now-after all, how could she? Smart of her to stay quiet.


    *In that case,* Bianca thought, *don''t me me for whates next.*


    "Would Ms. Gilmore like to give it a try?" Bianca asked, her voice deliberately casual.


    Suddenly being put on the spot, Noreen frowned, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.<fnb65a> This content belongs to find?novel</fnb65a>


    Halley turned his attention to her. "Noreen? How about it?"


    Before Noreen could answer, Bianca cut in again, her voiceced with false apology. "Oh, forgive me. That was thoughtless. This might be too much to ask of Ms. Gilmore. We should just give it back to the Professor."


    Her smugness could have filled the entire golf course.


    Noreen had no interest in the problem, but she wasn''t about to let someone else''s theatrics go unchecked. Just as Halley reached for the paper, she intercepted it. Everyone stared, stunned.


    "I''ll give it a look," she said, pulling the sheet from Bianca''s momentarily frozen grasp.


    Bianca''s eyes narrowed, a sh of pure mockery in their depths. *The audacity! Does she really think an


    Olympiad problementary schootathmetic Still she


    she was more than happy to watch Noreen make a fool of herself.


    Feigning a friendly tone, Bianca said, "Don''t push yourself too hard, Ms. Gilmore. These kinds of problems are all about pure logical thinking. You can''t just find a clever trick around them."


    The insinuation was clear, practically screaming that Noreen''s


    professional achievements were all the result of shortcuts and


    BUT


    maniption. Even Ron frowned, finding Bianca''sment unnecessarily harsh he was about to say something in Noreen''s


    defense when he saw her pick up a pen and begin writing.


    Her hand moved across the paper with a fluid, unbroken grace. Her expression


    was calm, her focus absolute.


    Ron''s mouth fell open, his words forgotten.


    Bianca saw it too, and the sneer in her mind grew wider. *Putting on a good show. She had noticed that about Noreen—her favorite trick was to feignposure. To put it bluntly, the woman had no shame She''s


    blure everyone''s attention.


    And it was working; Halley and Ron were nowpletely focused on her.


    *How calcting,* Bianca thought. *I hope she''s prepared for the humiliation when she fails.*


    She turned to say something to Seth, only to find that he, too, was watching Noreen. His expression was as cool as ever, but his gaze was intent.