Chapter 477

The first round concluded. Harold finished early with a high accuracy rate, easily advancing to the second round: the presentation of personal research.
His research, which Juniper had assisted him with, was a case study of Saskia’s brain surgery. Harold had prepared a comprehensive and well-reasoned presentation. As soon as he submitted his materials, they caught the attention of the judges.
“Excuse me, who conducted the research for submission number three?” one of the judges asked, his face alight with admiration as he scanned the contestants.
Harold, sitting in the middle row, raised his hand.
Upon seeing his face, the smiles on the judges’ faces vanished. A man from Orient Country? This was a surgery that only a handful of doctors in the world could perform, and not a single one from Moralia could manage it alone. Was it possible that Orient Country had a doctor with such advanced skills?
They began to doubt the report’s authenticity. It was an impressive paper, but now it seemed riddled with holes. Had he fabricated the case just to advance in the competition?
“The committee has doubts about the authenticity of this paper.”
At that, Juniper, who had been engrossed in her game, slowly lifted her head.
“May I ask what the issue is?” Harold stood up, his demeanor calm and respectful.
This case was extremely rare and the outcome had been a success. Moreover, with Juniper’s input, every detail had been meticulously handled. He was confident his research was top-tier and flawless.
“We question its validity,” one of the judges sneered, tossing the report onto the table with a look of disdain. “A successful surgery of this complexity in Orient Country? Contestant, please don’t insult our intelligence.”
Juniper let out a cold laugh. This wasn’t about questioning the research; it was blatant discrimination against Harold because he was from Orient Country. In their eyes, Orient Country was a latecomer and would always be inferior. They were too proud to ever admit that a doctor from there could surpass them. If someone from their own country had submitted this report, they would be singing its praises.
Juniper’s hand tightened around her phone, a cold fury rising within her.
“Have a candy,” Shanley whispered, sensing her anger. He gently tried to soothe her.
Juniper glanced at him and opened her mouth to accept it, muttering through clenched teeth, “I’m not angry.”
“Of course,” Shanley chuckled, patting her back gently. “You’re not angry at all.”
Juniper crunched down on the candy, the sound sharp and aggressive as she glared at the judges’ panel.
“I understand,” Harold said, a calm smile on his handsome face. “To address the
judges’ concerns, I have prepared supplementary materials.”
He produced a USB drive and
handed it to a staff member. A moment fater, a video appeared on the large screen, showing Juniper and Dr. Landon performing Saskia’s surgery The entire procedure, from preparation to completion, was displayed in crystal-clear detail.
A gasp rippled through the audience as they watched the surgeon make a swift,
precise incision on the patient’s scalp.
The judges stared, transfixed. The
video was unedited and played at normal speed, each step executed with textbook perfection. It was almost like watching a training video.
This surgery was real? And performed by a doctor from Orient Country? When had
Orient Country produced such a talent?
“The surgery was quite long,” Harold
interjected, mindful of the
competition schedule. “The judges are welcome to keep this video for Verification.”
The medical records would prove the authenticity of his research.
The judges exchanged glances. They couldn’t find any grounds to object and reluctantly allowed Harold to advance to the third round.
Juniper’s dark expression finally softened, and she returned to her game.
Seeing her mood improve, Shanley breathed a sigh of relief and went back to his phone, getting an update on Specter from Felton and Flint.
Felton: [Boss, we’ve spotted Subterra Vanguard members near the conference center.]