He was so focused that he didn''t even notice Bianca looking at him, a subtle, almost imperceptible lift to his brow.


    A sudden chill sank into Bianca''s heart. She was about to call his name when Noreen set down her pen.


    "Finished," Noreen said calmly. "Professor Joyner, would you mind taking a look? I''m not sure if it''s correct."


    "So quickly?" Ron eximed, astonished. It had been less than five minutes.


    Even Bianca was taken aback.


    Halley took the paper, adjusted the sses on his nose, and examined her work. He followed her logic, checked her steps, and read the final answer. A look of delighted surprise spread across his face.<fn9ac0> ?????? ???? find[?]ovel</fn9ac0>


    "It''s perfect!" he dered. "Absolutely correct! In fact, your method is even more elegant than the one used by this year''s gold medalist!"


    Hearing this, Bianca''s world trembled. *Impossible. How could Noreen have possibly solved that problem?*


    Halley was beaming, chatting excitedly with Ron. "After thepetition, the official website posted the problem and invited the public to solve it. One anonymous user submitted a solution identical to Noreen''s!"


    Bianca''s shock instantly morphed into smug understanding. *Of course.* Noreen hadn''t solved it at all; she''d just copied the solution from some random person online. She had almost fooled them all.


    But Bianca had no time to expose her; she was here with a purpose. She wanted to connect with Ron Archer, but he had been somewhat cool toward her earlier. She needed to find a way to break the ice.


    It was Seth who spoke for her. "I hear you''re an avid golfer, Mr. Archer. Bianca fancies herself a decent yer. How about a few holes?"


    Anyone who had done their research knew Ron was obsessed with golf, and Seth was ying his cards perfectly.


    "Excellent idea!" Ron''s face lit up.


    "Just before you arrived, I wasining to Professor Joyner that it would be a shame to waste such a beautiful day. His back has been acting uptely."


    Noreen immediately turned to Halley. "Is your lumbar spine bothering you again? Have you been sitting for too long?"


    "It''s nothing," Halley grumbled, waving a dismissive hand.


    "I know an excellent physician who specializes in back issues. I can take you to see him."


    As Bianca retrieved a set of clubs for Seth, she overheard their exchange. She rolled her eyes, a silent, contemptuous smile ying on her lips. *She''s so desperate to please.*


    Halley, however, detested doctors. At Noreen''s suggestion, his expression soured. "Don''t you meddle in my affairs!"


    Noreen sighed in resignation. The stubborn old coot was still as terrified of doctors


    as ever.


    Hearing Halley''s sharp retort, Bianca almostughed out loud. So much for Noreen being perceptive. Couldn''t she see how much


    Professor Joyner disliked herzel


    was she just pretending not to notice? The woman truly had no shame.


    "Here you go, Seth," Bianca said cheerfully, handing him a polished club. She straightened his cor. "Good luck!"


    Ron looked over at Noreen, who was sitting beside Halley. "Aren''t you ying, Ms. Gilmore?"


    "My game is average at best. I wouldn''t want to embarrass myself in front of you, Mr. Archer."


    "Nonsense! We''ll make it a team game, two against two."


    Bianca''s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. *Noreen, y golf?* It was an expensive sport, far beyond what someone from her. background could afford. Her daim of being "average" was just a polite excuse. The truth was, she probably didn''t know how to hold a club.