Chapter 165 Comet Squad

Tilda uploaded the compressed file she’d finished to the group chat.

Jarrett exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! Queen’s top-secret guide!”

Theo chimed in, “Waaah! Idol, can we chat one-on-one? I really want to be friends with you!”

Astrid rolled her eyes. “Theo, wipe your drool. I can just imagine you looking all gross right now.”

Theo groaned. “Astrid, are we still on the same team or what? Do you have to embarrass me in front of our idol?”

Zach just typed, “Agreed.”

Looking at the cheerful scene in the group chat, Tilda’s gaze couldn’t help but soften a little.

Ambitious young people were drawn together.

Together, they were like a blazing fire.

When apart, they’d become the stars that decorated the sky.

She hoped they wouldn’t let her down.

Jarrett piped up, “By the way, Queen, can you name our team? You’re the captain now!”

Theo added, “+1!”

Zach typed, “+2!”

Astrid replied, “+10086!”

A team name, huh?

Tilda thought for a moment.

She replied, “Let’s call ourselves Comet. May we always keep today’s spirit and become the brightest flames in the sky!”

Jarrett laughed. “Comet Squad? Hahaha! That’s awesome! Totally fits my patriotic, exemplary youth vibe!”

Theo said, “The name Queen gave us is so cool, unlike Jarrett, who once wanted to call us the Roach Squad. I almost punched him for making us sound like cockroaches.”

Astrid added, “Well, what can you do? Jarrett just can’t name things.”

Jarrett protested, “Ahem! Let’s not bring up the past, okay? Especially in front of our idol!”

Just then, another message popped up.

It was Simon, from the art department.

“Tilda, do you have a minute to take a call?”

Tilda called Simon right away.

The phone was picked up quickly.

Simon said, “Tilda, your painting amazed all of us old-timers. We want to recommend your work for the National College Art Competition. If it stands out, you could even make it to the world stage and win a gold medal for the country!”

Tilda was surprised. “Professor Linscott? Are you sure?”

“What’s wrong, Tilda? Is there a problem? Your painting is full of life and talent. We all think you could get first place!”

Simon started to get worried. He tried his best to convince Tilda, assuming she might lack confidence and miss out on a great chance. Such a talented student should shine for the world to see; it would be a huge loss for the nation if she didn’t.

Tilda laughed. “Ahem, Professor, you misunderstood. I mean, let me touch it up a bit. If I’m representing the country, I can’t just send in something I whipped up. What if I lose? That’d be embarrassing.”

She wasn’t kidding.

Tilda had only drawn that piece with the snake theme as a quick sketch.

Even so, it was way better than Kyla’s fancy but empty work.

But since it was going to a competition, she might as well go all out – and win by a landslide.

“What?” Simon gasped. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

Oh my God.

Tilda simply sketched something, and her work actually defeated the best work of all the old-timers?

The time she spent on it was even less than Kyla did. Maybe it really was a random sketch.

Right then, Simon finally realized just how deep and amazing Tilda’s talent was.

It was almost scary! Even now, Tilda’s skills could make her a shining star in the art world.

“Great! Absolutely! Where are you right now? I’ll come get the painting from you.”

“No need, Professor Linscott. I’ll just paint a new one. It won’t take me long. I’ll give it to you tomorrow so you can submit it for the competition.”

“Alright, it’s a deal!”

After hanging up, Tilda glanced at the buzzing group chat on the forum.

A smile curved at the corner of her lips.

From now on, it looked like she’d be busy with all sorts of things – and that felt good.

There was a new feeling of fulfillment inside her.

She didn’t need to worry about old grudges or the past anymore.

Tilda had found herself again: her purpose, her dreams, and the Tilda who never let her mentor down.

As night fell at Hopewell Hospital, Dominic slowly woke up.

Blair was right there by his side. When she saw him open his eyes, her face filled with joy. “Dominic, you’re awake!”

“Mom…” Dominic blinked in confusion. “What happened? I feel so weak. Where am I?”

“This is the hospital, pumpkin,” Blair answered gently.

She quickly explained everything that had happened, keeping the story short and clear.

After hearing it all, Dominic’s already-foggy mind felt like it was being swallowed by darkness and torn apart.

His heart ached so much, it felt like it was about to split in two.

Even the heart monitor by his bed started beeping loudly – beep beep beep!