"Putting on a brave face like this is just pathetic."


    Lillian''s voice wasn''t quiet; everyone nearby, including Seth, heard her. He remained impassive, his expression unreadable, as if Noreen''s presence meant nothing to


    him. His focus was entirely on Bianca.


    While others were gossiping about Noreen, he was asking Bianca, "Are you nervous?"


    Before Bianca could answer, Lillian jumped in. "My cousin has a Ph.D. in finance. A simple master''s exam is nothing for her. Of course she''s not nervous."


    Bianca, ever the picture of humility, corrected her. "Don''t say that. Professor Joyner''s program is notoriously difficult to get into."


    Lillian pouted. "You''re just being too modest, cousin. You''ve been exceptional since you were a child, always getting top marks. Your talent speaks for itself. Not everyone gets an offer from WT Business School, you know."


    Even Jude chimed in, "Bianca, stop being so humble! Give the rest of us mortals a break!"


    It just went to show that the most aplished people were often the most modest. He deeply admired Bianca''s quiet confidence. As for Noreen...


    Jude nced in her direction again, his expression hard to read. He hoped she wouldn''t cry when she came crashing down.


    "Alright, everyone, you can see me off here," Bianca said, checking her watch. "It''s almost time. I''m going in. You should all get back to what you were doing. Especially you, Seth. Don''t you have a lot to handle at the office? Don''t wait for me. I''lle find you when I''m done."


    "It''s no trouble. We''ll wait," Seth stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    Lillian felt a pang of jealousy. "Cousin, of course he''s going to wait for you! You''re always his top priority!"


    "You talk too much," Bianca teased, but she was secretly thrilled. Before heading in, she gave Seth a lingering, reluctant hug.


    At the entrance, Noreen had just passed through security and turned to wave goodbye to Dn. Her gaze inevitably swept over the couple locked in a tight embrace less than twenty feet away from him. She paid them no mind, but as she turned away, her eyes met Seth''s. She didn''t pause, simply turned and walked into the university, not bothering to register the expression on his face.


    Since Noreen and Bianca were applying for the same program, they were in the same examination hall. The test was divided into two parts: a standardized section and a specialized exam set by Professor Joyner himself.


    The morning session was the specialized exam. It was difficult, and the room was filled with the


    sound of frantic scribbling. Even


    with three hours, time felt tightYet, someone finished and turned in their paper a full forty minutes early.


    Such an act meant one of two things: either the person was a genius who found the questions trivial, or they had given uppletely.


    Bianca nced up. Seeing it was Noreen, she wasn''t surprised at all. Clearly, Noreen belonged to thetter category. With a mocking smile, Bianca lowered her head and continued writing.


    Noreen had just stepped out of the hall when she ran into Professor Joyner, who was making his rounds with Henry by his side. Noreen''s first instinct was to turn and flee but in was toote. "Stop right there," Haffey called out.


    Seeing no escape, Noreen turned back with a sheepish smile. "Professor Joyner."


    Halley''s face was stern as he checked his watch. "Forty minutes early. What''s the matter? Couldn''t answer the questions, so you just gave up?"