Chapter 479
As the announcement echoed through the hall, Sylvie’s curious expression froze, then slowly shifted to stunned disbelief. She turned toward Elodie, who was already rising from her seat.
A collective gasp rippled through the audience as Elodie stood, but it was quickly drowned out by a surge of applause from the students at the back of the hall. The school had warned them there’d be a groundbreaking segment today, and since the university had purchased access to the research database, they’d already read the paper in question. Every single one of them had been blown away.
Now, realizing the author was none other than Mr. Sterling’s student, their excitement reached a fever pitch. This level of genius was something they could only admire from afar.
Jarrod watched Elodie’s calm profile, eyes narrowed with interest. Sylvie’s heart pounded erratically-her mind blank, unable to process whether this was a dream or reality.
Grady, having noticed the look on Sylvie’s face, remembered what she’d said about the paper being authored by a renowned figure in the field. Still, he couldn’t help but blurt out, “There must be some mistake, right?” His words sounded
abrupt in the charged silence.
Alexander shot Grady a frown.
But the headmaster only smiled and turned to Elodie. “Ms. Thorne, would you please share a few words with your fellow students?”
That second confirmation snapped Sylvie out of her daze. It really was Elodie.
Elodie walked up to the stage, composed and unflinching. She stood behind the podium, scanning the packed auditorium from her vantage point. Only now, in front of hundreds of peers and respected faculty, did she truly introduce herself. “Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Elodie—”
Jarrod’s dark gaze followed her every move. Sylvie stared in shock as Elodie took the stage, her face drained of color, lips pale.
How could this be? How could someone like Elodie be responsible for work of such caliber?
Elodie was fully prepared. One hand resting lightly on the lectern, she spoke with measured confidence, her tone steady yet powerful. She broke down the most crucial points of her research with clarity, making even the densest material accessible to her peers. No one could deny the impact of her words.
Her explanations were precise, her delivery effortless, and there was a quiet poise about her-a subtle smile playing on her lips. Even in a hall filled with over a thousand people, even with established scholars in the front rows, she was composed, almost radiant.
Sylvie couldn’t tear her eyes away. Elodie’s voice echoed in her ears, each word a jolt to her system. She knew just how much value was packed into every sentence Elodie spoke.
Instinctively, Sylvie glanced at Jarrod beside her. He lounged back in his chair, his expression unreadable but clearly listening intently.
Sylvie tightened her grip on her skirt, knuckles white.
Further along the row, Waldron listened just as intently, squinting at Elodie before glancing over at Charlie.
Elodie’s voice was gentle and soothing, drawing everyone in until, all too soon, her presentation ended.
For a moment, the room was silent,
everyone wanting more. Then, applause swelled-first scattered, then thunderous, until it filled the hall Students at the back even jumped to their feet in excitement.
Everyone here was a top student, the kind who lived and breathed knowledge. And today, in this instant, Elodie had stunned them all-captivating and inspiring even the most driven among them.
Jarrod felt the wave of admiration and awe surging around him. In the midst of the
noise, he slowly brought his hands together in applause.
The gesture caught Sylvie off guard. She stared, momentarily speechless.
As Elodie stepped down from the stage, Alexander rose to meet her, ruffling her
hair with a grin. “Congratulations. From now on, you’re just you.”
Elodie relaxed, her smile genuine.
Jarrod simply watched the scene unfold, silent and thoughtful.