Chapter 669

Charlotte’s voice came through the mic, a little quiet, almost lazy, but clear enough to reach every corner of the hall.
The room went dead silent. Eyes went wide. No one could believe what they’d just heard.
Charlotte had turned down an offer from The Cabinda Medical Branch. Did she even understand what that meant in the medical world? That was the absolute peak, the kind of place most people could only dream about after decades of hard work. Except for Letty, everyone in that branch had clawed their way up for years before getting in. Getting invited by Hollis was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
And she just said no.
Was there something different about the way Charlotte thought?
“Why?” Hollis, usually so confident, looked completely thrown. He hadn’t expected anyone to turn down something like this. “You realize, every single person in medicine dreams of joining us, right?”
Getting into The Cabinda Medical Branch was the first step toward the big leagues.
Charlotte looked calm, almost bored. “I’m studying traditional medicine. That’s what I care about.”
“This is your only shot. If you ever regret it, it’ll be too late,” Hollis warned her, frowning. No one had ever rejected him like this before.
Charlotte just nodded.
Hollis was lost for words.
Out in the audience, Glenn let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He unclenched his fists, a proud smile spreading across his face.
The modern medicine students and teachers, though, looked absolutely furious. Olivia, especially, glared at Charlotte, her jealousy plain as day. First, Charlotte picked Kingswood University, now she was turning down this invitation… Was she crazy? If Charlotte wasn’there,
maybe Hollis would have noticed her
instead. Maybe she’d be the one getting invited.
Letty was struggling too. All eyes had been glued to the new girl, and for once, Letty wasn’t the center of attention. She clenched her fists feast win first place
hoping she’d
But then the head judge spoke, and
her last hope vanished.
“After a re-evaluation by the panel, first place in this competition goes to Charlotte.”
A traditional medicine student had beaten a grad student from modern medicine.
The room exploded with cheers.
Letty stood frozen. Every shout of celebration felt like a slap in the face.
“Could the other students please leave the stage for a group photo with the Kingswood University team?”
Glenn jumped up, barely able to contain his excitement. He rushed to Charlotte’s side, grinning from ear to ear as the other teachers looked on, green with envy.
Letty raised her head at the host’s words, staring hard at Charlotte, who was standing where she believed she belonged. She scowled. She’d lost. Lost to a freshman.
Gritting her teeth, Letty paused
beside Charlotte on her way off the
stage. Enjoy your moment.
Traditional medicine’s never been on
top before. But don’t get used to it. It won’t happen again.”
Charlotte glanced over, a small, knowing smile curling on her lips. Her voice was
soft, almost teasing. “You’re right. It won’t. At least, not for you.”
Letty tried to snap back, but a wave of Kingswood students poured onto the stage, sweeping her away.
She could only watch from below as Charlotte stood in the spotlight, surrounded by cheers and admiration. The jealousy burning in Letty’s eyes grew even stronger.