Jude Wilder was about to say something when his eyes met Seth Harcourt''s.


    Seth''s expression was cold, his dark eyes bottomless.


    An inexplicable chill ran down Jude''s spine, and he forgot what he was going to say.


    He had a point. It was an important asion, and his joking around was probably out of line.


    Besides, he was here to support Bianca, and his behavior could give her a bad name.


    Seth''s stern look was likely meant to convey just that.


    Jude wisely shut his mouth.


    But he was still secretly hoping to see Noreen Gilmore make a fool of herself.


    "Taking this long to check a score? You''d think she got a perfect score," Lillian Laurent muttered under her breath, her tone dripping with disdain.


    Henry Brooke exined earnestly, "No one''s ever gotten a perfect score in this subject."


    Lillian shot back, "Didn''t you realize I was mocking her?"


    Henry pressed his lips together, but a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his eyes.


    He clearly agreed with Lillian''s sentiment.


    Across from them, Sanford Brooke nced at Noreen''s phone and then announced, "255? That''s really high!"


    The office was quiet enough for everyone present to hear Noreen''s score.


    255?


    Wasn''t that the same score as Bianca''s?


    How could that be?


    The smile in Henry''s eyes was instantly reced by shock.


    Lillian, who had just been making snide remarks, fell silent.


    Even Bianca, who was usually calm and collected, was stunned for a moment.


    How was this possible?


    She knew better than anyone how difficult the exam was.


    She simply couldn''t believe Noreen could score that high!


    Something was definitely wrong here.


    Jude, sitting next to her, clearly thought the same thing.


    "Looks like Noreen''s recent closeness with Dn had a purpose after all."


    "I knew it. She was just riding on Dn Wilder''s coattails," Lillian said, her disdain returning.


    Henry also recalled seeing Noreen delivering something to Halley Joyner''s house and couldn''t help but frown.


    In the middle of the room, a reporter from the financial news channel finished setting up his equipment and asked Since they both scored 255, does that mean they''re tied for first ce?"


    When the reporters had first entered, they had overheard Lillian saying Bianca scored 255.


    It was surprising enough that they had nned to focus their interview on her.


    They never expected another 255 to show up.


    The reporter asked curiously, "I remember that Academician Joyner only epts one student each year. How will that work this time, since their scores are identical?"


    Henry raised an eyebrow and said nonchntly, "The spot will, of course, go to the more capable person, not someone who used underhanded methods."


    He didn''t name anyone, but the reporter understood the implication.


    Henry was sitting with Bianca''s group, so his jab was obviously aimed at Noreen.


    Was he suggesting there was something wrong with Noreen''s score?


    The quick-witted reporter immediately turned his camera toward Noreen. Just as Henry finished speaking.


    Noreen nced up at him, having clearly understood his insinuation.


    She set down her phone and spoke in a calm but firm voice, "Mr. Brooke, are you questioning the validity of this score? If you have sufficient evidence, you should report t through official channels instead of making baseless usations here."


    Her voice was gentle, but herposure was unshakable.


    Next to her, Sanford frowned deeply and scolded, "Henry, watch your words!"


    Facing his father''s reprimand, Henry


    exined tactfully, "I don''t have concrete proof, but Bianca is a PhD in Finance from W Business School She''s my senior from the same department. I frequently read her papers when I was studying abroad, and there''s no question about her abilities."