Chapter 78: Only Love

Although everyone feared Hudson Donald, his work efficiency was admirable. Today, no one anticipated a surprise; memorizing twelve thousand names in three days seemed impossible. Olive was expected to fail.

Hudson asked the cabinet number containing echinacea. The students watched quietly, anticipating Olive's humiliation. Olive calmly replied, "Echinacea, the herbal medicinal substance, is in cabinet number sixty-three."

Divine swiftly checked cabinet sixty-three. Closing her eyes in prayer, she opened it and exclaimed, "Director Hudson, echinacea is indeed in cabinet number sixty-three!"

Everyone gasped. Olive had answered correctly. Even Hudson was surprised. Without hesitation, he asked, "What's in cabinet number three hundred and four?"

Olive politely replied, "Cabinet three hundred and four contains valerian."

Intrigued researchers rushed to verify. "Director Hudson, it's valerian. Olive is right again!" they chorused.

Awe filled the room. Hudson then asked, "Which cabinets contain sage, calendula, and oregano?"

"Sage, calendula, and oregano are in cabinets seventy-four, nine thousand and four, and seven hundred and fifty, respectively," Olive answered.

The students checked; cheers erupted. "Olive's right! Olive, you're amazing!"

The students celebrated. Pamela, clenching her fists, watched Greg. Greg stepped forward, pushing Divine away. "Divine, you and Olive are friends. Are you helping her cheat?"

Hudson asked, "What's in cabinets six hundred and seventy-three, four hundred and forty-four, and six thousand nine hundred and one?"

Olive, smiling and meeting Greg's gaze, replied, "Cabinets six hundred and seventy-three, four hundred and forty-four, and six thousand nine hundred and one contain goldenseal, basil, and potassium."

Greg verified the first two cabinets, but felt dizzy and couldn't open the last. Initially believing Olive was lucky, he was now shocked by her consistent accuracy. He opened cabinet six thousand and one; the potassium spilled, causing him to sneeze and collapse.

Olive looked at Greg coldly. "Team Leader Greg, do you still suspect collusion? In cabinet seven thousand five hundred and two above you is sodium; in cabinet thirty southeast of the director is magnesium; and in cabinet ninety-nine is chromium."

Greg, clinging to hope, checked again. Olive was correct. Everyone stared, amazed. They had to admit: Olive had memorized twelve thousand medicinal substances in three days. She had passed Hudson's test.

"Director Hudson, do you want to test me further? I've memorized these materials. Ask more if you're unsatisfied," Olive stated.

Hudson, admiring her impossible feat, pondered, "This girl was chosen by the dean. Is she truly this intelligent?" He'd exhausted himself searching her medical history, finding only that she'd recently arrived from the suburbs and was a high school graduate.

Hudson said, "Olive, congratulations. You've passed. You can intern in the Ivory Council."

Divine cheered, hugging Olive. Students expressed their admiration. Pamela's anger was evident.

Hudson cautioned Olive, "Don't be arrogant. You lack experience; learn from scratch. Make no mistakes, or you'll leave the Ivory Council."

Olive smiled, "I understand, Director Hudson. Thank you, sir."

After Hudson left, a student welcomed Olive. Olive playfully replied, "I still need to study hard with you all."

Pamela, ignored, watched the others surround Olive, gnashing her teeth in resentment. Later, she offered congratulations, claiming she'd always believed in Olive.

Olive chuckled. "Pamela, aren't you tired? You don't need to continue acting."

Pamela started to speak, then noticed the necklace around Olive's neck. Her heart skipped a beat. Days earlier, she and Gwen had seen the Onlylove necklace in a magazine—a highly valued and coveted jewelry brand.