chapter1254

Marilyn just stared, eyes wide in shock.

Lydia shook her head and sighed. "Do you even think before you act? How could you do something so unbelievably stupid?"

Marilyn's knees buckled, and she sank to the floor. She always knew someone might find out the truth, but she never thought it would happen this fast. She and Yara did it for one reason-they couldn't stand the idea of Lydia winning, of her making it into the top three.

But now, everything was ruined.

"Marilyn, you've let us all down. I can't believe Capital Med School produced students with such questionable character." Dr. Tomlinson's voice shook with disappointment.

Footsteps pounded down the hallway. Two staff members from the international medical competition rushed over, faces tense.

Marilyn's tears fell faster than she could wipe them away. "I just... I just don't get it. It's not fair. Why should I accept this? We're in the lab every single day, working nonstop, but Lydia? She's never even around. You barely see her at school. Why does everyone think she's so amazing? Is it just because she's Mr. Moore's favorite? Is that why you all treat her so differently?"

Lydia let out a cold laugh and crouched down to meet Marilyn's eyes. "You really can't figure out why I'm never around but I'm still better than you?"

Marilyn glared back at her, furious and desperate.

Lydia just shrugged. "It's because when nobody's watching, I'm working ten times harder than you. Maybe a hundred times."

"No, that can't be. You're never even at school..."

Lydia's smile was quiet, almost sad. Did it ever cross your mind that while you were still in elementary school, I'd already learned everything you're struggling with now?"

Marilyn stared at her, stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Lydia didn't bother to explain further. She stood up and walked away without looking back.

Just next door, Yara waited. She'd heard everything when Dr. Tomlinson and Mr. Russo knocked on Marilyn's door. She knew it was over. So when someone knocked on her door, she managed to keep her cool.

Still, the moment she opened the door and saw the crowd gathered outside, all of them staring at her with that look of disappointment and disgust, a wave of panic crashed over her. She couldn't help it.

"Yara, what you've done hasn't just hurt you. You've dragged down the whole team: You've made us look like fools in front of the whole world. Even your grandfather He wont be able to stay at the university after this. How could you be so reckless? Mr. Russo's voice broke with

frustration.

Yara just smiled, almost defiantly. "You've already found out. There's nothing left for me to say."

Maybe Lydia really was that talented. But Yara hated having anyone steal her spotlight. She couldn't help it. That was just the way she was-stubborn, unyielding.

Suddenly, her voice cracked. She turned to Lydia, desperate. "Why do you always win?"

Lydia just smiled softly, saying nothing.

Because the answer was simple, really. It was hidden in those long, lonely nights, when everyone else was asleep and Lydia was still studying the latest surgical

techniques. While othovel

complained about failed

experiments, she was in the anatomy lab, bowing her head in gratitude to the bodies she learned from. While others blamed their failures on talent, Lydia turned hard work into her sharpest tool.

The next day, Lydia showed up for the competition as usual.

Marilyn and Yara would have to face whatever consequences waited for them back at school.

Chief examiner Emerson looked around the room, then announced, "Everyone, take your places. The competition starts now."

In an instant,

t, robotic arms moved

with perfect precision, opening up the simulated surgical field. Lydia fixed her gaze on the 3D display, her left hand adjusting the

electrocautery hook, her tighthand

micro-tuning the forceps.

A quiet wave of admiration swept through the observation area when the robotic arm

clamped onto a simulated blood vessel.

The folds in the vessel wall were crystal clear on the screen, every move she made smooth and precise.

Then, without warning, the screen went dark.

A gasp rippled through the crowd. "The power's out!"