Chapter 107

Gavin thought back to how determined Josie had been when she demanded her money back. It was nothing like how she used to be, and he still felt a lingering fear.

He muttered, “That was seriously scary. The more I think about it, the creepier it feels. I’d better keep my distance from her from now on.”

Kyle pursed his lips. “Yeah, you really should stay away from women like her. She could sell you off, and you’d still be counting the money for her!”

The one who couldn’t accept this the most was Vincent. He still refused to believe that Josie was actually Delilah’s undercover agent.

He said, “I’m going to ask her!”

Natalie grabbed his arm. “Vincent, do you really think she’ll admit it if you ask her now? If she’s been putting on an act for years, there’s no way she’ll tell you the truth.”

Aiden nodded. “Natalie’s right. We underestimated Josie before. From now on, let’s all be more careful and never underestimate her again. Even if she’s great at acupuncture, there’s no way she can go up against us. Graduating with a double major is impossible for her. As for this competition, I doubt they’ll even get a spot in the rankings.”

Just as Aiden finished talking, someone suddenly exclaimed, “Oh my god, I just saw the shortlist. Sean’s team’s project is on there. They actually made it!”

Jaden slumped back in his chair. “How is that even possible? They’re from an obscure major. All they did was use machines instead of manual acupuncture. How is that even considered innovative? Are the judges playing favorites or what? Are they just doing this to save face for Professor Wilcourt?”

Natalie bit her lip, her face turning pale with anger. She thought, “They actually made the cut? Josie’s luck is unreal!”

“Getting shortlisted doesn’t mean anything!” Aiden clenched his fists. “It’s Professor Wilcourt’s team’s first time entering, so it’s not that surprising they got in.”

He didn’t say it outright, but he was basically thinking the same thing as Jaden. He figured the judges were playing favorites, too.

After hearing the results, everyone’s faces showed different emotions, but none of them wanted to stay any longer. The group hurriedly left the venue, and behind them, plenty of students started talking among themselves.

A student said, “Honestly, I don’t think Aiden’s team’s so-called innovation can hold a candle to Sean’s.”

Another said, “Yeah, just looking at the concept, Aiden’s team’s idea this year is honestly pretty weak.”

A third said, “Sean’s project is actually pretty cool, just a bit too niche. I wonder if the judges will even pay attention to it.”

A fourth student said, “Hard to say. Let’s just wait for the results.”

Someone else said, “Looks like the drama’s just getting started…”

Natalie, who was walking at the back, overheard some of the chatter. Her fingers tightened in anger, and she turned around, heading in the opposite direction of the group.

She walked until she reached a quiet grove where hardly anyone came, then pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

“Dad, do you not love me anymore?” Her eyes were red, her voice trembling with tears. Just hearing her like that was enough to make anyone’s heart ache.

On the other end of the line, a middle-aged man stood up, his heart breaking. He said, “How could you say that? Of course, I love you. You’re my precious daughter, the one I love most. Tell me, who dared to make you feel this way? I’ll make sure they pay for it.”

Natalie’s voice was hoarse with frustration. “You just don’t love me anymore. Otherwise, how could you mess up something so simple and leave me completely humiliated in front of the whole school today?”

In her eyes, as long as Josie was basking in the spotlight, it meant she was the one left in the shadows. After all, they were the only two female students ever accepted into David’s team. Now, she was still on the team, while Josie had been kicked out.

She thought, ‘Why is Josie the one getting all the attention? Why is everyone in the school talking about her and not me? Who am I supposed to be? Just a nobody?’

She couldn’t accept it, and she definitely wasn’t willing to let it go. She hated Josie for stealing her thunder.