Chapter 495: How Should I Explain This?

Hayley’s POV: +8 Pearls

Almost immediately, the head of the committee took the stage with a microphone, preparing to make a statement. “Ladies and gentlemen, the selection committee, commissioned by the Mathematics Association, operates under principles of absolute fairness, transparency, and integrity. The results of the evaluation are free from any external interference. Please rest assured of this.”

However, some in the audience remained unconvinced. “Who knows if you’ve secretly been bribed! An Omega woman winning the championship? I’m the first to call it unfair!”

“Exactly! We refuse to accept this result! If you don’t explain, we’ll report the committee for taking bribes and interfering with academic fairness!” someone else shouted, escalating the chaos.

The head of the committee, unprepared for such a vehement reaction, was momentarily speechless. He turned to me pleadingly, “Ms. Carson, would you be willing to demonstrate your award-winning solution here on the spot?”

Initially, I had no intention of arguing with the dissenters. But seeing the committee head's distress, I couldn't refuse. I glanced indifferently at the runner-up and challenged, “How about a match? Arguing would be a waste of breath.”

“Fine!” The runner-up, convinced of my undeserved victory, stormed onto the stage. “What are we competing on?”

I thought for a moment before turning to the third-place contestant as well. “Since you’re questioning my abilities, why don’t you come up with the question? Whoever solves it fastest wins. That sounds fair, doesn’t it?”

The third-place contestant hesitated before nodding. “Fair enough.”

Third-Person’s POV:

The third-place contestant stepped onto the stage, produced his phone, and projected last year’s final competition question onto the large screen. It was notoriously difficult—a problem neither he nor the runner-up had solved last year. However, the solution had since been published, giving the runner-up a significant advantage. Still, it wasn’t entirely unfair; if Hayley truly possessed the skills, she should have been familiar with last year's competition as well.

Two whiteboards were brought onstage for the competition. Hayley and the runner-up each took a marker. The entire venue fell silent; scholars and guests alike held their breath.

Everyone saw the runner-up begin working on the problem, using the published solution as his guide. Following it step-by-step, his correct answer was guaranteed. Meanwhile, Hayley stood before the screen, her chin resting on her hand, lost in thought. Whispers rippled through the audience.

“A bought award will never match real talent. She’s showing her true colors now!”

“This Omega’s math skills clearly can’t compare to a man’s.”

“She should just admit she can’t do it and step off the stage. Why waste everyone’s time?”

Hearing the whispers, the runner-up slowed his pace, utterly confident in his victory. He glanced at Hayley and scoffed disdainfully.

Hayley’s POV:

After carefully analyzing the problem, I finally pieced together the solution. Taking my marker, I walked to the whiteboard, wrote down a mathematical formula, and proceeded with the derivation. Without realizing it, I had filled one side of the board and flipped it to the other. Before long, I capped the marker and stepped back.

“Done,” I said calmly.

The runner-up was shocked. “You’re finished already?” He stared in disbelief. “This kind of advanced competition problem usually takes at least four whiteboards to solve. You’ve barely filled one. Are you serious?”

Seeing his doubt, I smirked. “Apologies. The limited space forced me to simplify some steps in my head. Surely you can follow, right?”

As soon as I finished speaking, the crowd erupted in astonishment.

“She simplified advanced mathematical formulas… in her head?!”

“Does she have a supercomputer in her brain?”

“How is an Omega capable of such terrifying computational power?”

Both the runner-up and the third-place contestant stared in disbelief. When the head of the committee announced my solution was entirely correct, they—and the entire audience—looked at me as though they’d seen a ghost.

I walked confidently back to the microphone, sweeping my gaze over the room. “Anyone else care to question me?”