He paused for a moment before his tone shifted.


    When he looked at Noreen again, his gaze was noticeably colder, and his words were sharper.


    "As far as I know, Ms. Gilmore only has a bachelor''s degree, has never published any papers, and even rankedst in her ss at one point. After graduating, she''s been navigating the corporate world. To achieve such a high score by just cramming for a little over two months before the exam is highly suspicious."


    Beside him, Bianca nced at Henry''s cold expression and smiled faintly, saying nothing.


    She felt a wave of relief.


    The reporter seized the opportunity. "So, are you saying Ms. Gilmore''s score is fraudulent?"


    The camera and microphone were pointed squarely at Noreen, ready to capture every second of the drama.


    However, despite the camera and Henry''s aggressive questioning, Noreen remained perfectlyposed, showing no sign of panic.


    Even Henry had to admire her.


    She could maintain herposure under such circumstances.


    Anyone who didn''t know better would think she actually had the skills to back it up.


    "Ms. Gilmore, please answer the question," the reporter pressed.


    Over on the other side.


    After reviewing all the evidence, Halley took off his sses and looked up at the reporter. "Who told you her score is fraudulent? Are you questioning me, or are you questioning the fairness of the entire education system?"


    Given Halley''s influence in both academia and the financial world, no one dared to make such an usation.


    The reporter''s attitude immediately changed. He exined respectfully, "We were just raising a question based on this gentleman''s statement. Since Academician Joyner says it''s not fraudulent, then it''s not."


    Henry pursed his lips, still unable to understand.


    Why was Halley so protective of Noreen?


    Professor Selyyn spoke up, offering a rare exnation. "Ah, about Noreen rankingst, I know about that. I was an associate professor back then. Although I never taught Noreen directly, I knew of her reputation. She was first in her ss every year and often represented the university inpetitions, winning many honors. The one time she rankedst was because she was sick and missed the exams. I even went to the hospital to visit her on behalf of the university."


    "At the time, everyone joked that the academic prodigy had fallen. Some student yfully wrote a post about it on the school forum, and it


    unexpectedly got a lot


    of aton


    The story got twisted as it spread,


    and it became a rumor that she had


    actually rankedst."


    "And I remember, when she


    graduated, all the professors tried to persuade her to continue her


    studies. But she insisted on turning down a full schrship for the PhD program go saying he wanted to help her boyfriend fun hispany."


    "We all thought it was such a waste. We felt she shouldn''t have given up her future for a man! It just wasn''t worth it!"


    Noreen leaned back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at Seth, a low, huskyugh escaping her throat. "It really wasn''t worth it."


    Bianca''s face instantly darkened.


    Seth''s pale eyes were hidden in the shadow of hisshes, exuding an almost inhuman calm.


    Only Sanford was visibly upset, ordering Henry, "Henry, apologize to Ms. Gilmore right now!"


    Henry was genuinely surprised to learn that the story about Noreen rankingst was just a rumor.


    But even so, could she really outperform Bianca?


    Bianca''s degree and the papers he had read were all real!


    The reporters weren''t interested in that debate. They just wanted to know who Academician Joyner would ept as his student.


    "Academician Joyner, if their scores are the same, who will you ept as your student? Could you please tell us?"