Chapter 156

Tracy smiled confidently. "Grandma, I'm only just getting started. I'll climb even higher up the social ladder."

Sonia smiled happily. She knew Tracy was an exceptional girl capable of bringing glory to the Tate family. Wayne and Hazel shared her joy. Tracy's success would greatly increase her chances of marrying into wealth.

Then Sonia saw Celine standing behind Tracy. Her expression darkened. "Celine, who invited you?"

Celine had been there some time, unnoticed amidst the celebration.

Tracy glanced at Celine. "Grandma, I invited her. She wanted experience. It's fine; she can stay."

Sonia disliked Celine intensely. While Tracy and Carly brought honor to the family, Celine only embarrassed them. Sonia barely considered Celine her granddaughter.

Since Tracy had spoken, Sonia could only say, in a displeased tone, "Celine, be cautious. Don't touch anything. If you break or damage anything, you'll be responsible."

The way Sonia spoke stung Celine, but she only smiled.

"Tracy!"

Several Yorhine University students ran over, admirers who had sought her autograph the previous day.

"You came?" Tracy was overjoyed.

The students surrounded Tracy, pushing Celine to the back. "Tracy, congratulations! Today's your academic thesis public showing!"

"Tracy, you're our pride and joy!"

"Let's take a photo!"

They arranged themselves before Tracy's thesis, with Tracy in the center, Sonia, Wayne, and Hazel to her left, and the students to her right.

Tracy handed the camera to Celine. "Celine, take a picture!"

This glorious moment was about to be immortalized.

Celine looked at the camera and smiled. "I can't take this photo."

Tracy was startled. "Why?"

At that moment, Museum of Medical Sciences staff approached. "Excuse me, please clear the area. We need to remove this thesis."

Tracy stiffened. "Why are you taking down my thesis?"

Sonia, Wayne, and Hazel were shocked. "A mistake? A misunderstanding?"

"No. Dr. Chad identified two errors. The Museum is removing it."

The staff removed the thesis. Tracy gasped, frozen in place.

The students whispered. "Corrected by Dr. Chad?" "Rejected!" "Embarrassed!"

Disappointed, the students left quickly.

Sonia pulled Tracy aside. "Tracy, what happened?"

Tracy's confident smile vanished, replaced by fear. Two mistakes. Dr. Chad's critique. Rejection. Word would spread throughout Yorhine University quickly. Her moment of glory had become a public humiliation.

The thought of gossip filled her with dread. Her pride, her greatest strength, had become her greatest weakness.