“Not at all,” Josie quickly waved her hands and exined.

18%

In her previous life, she’d suffered from stomach problems and had been iso /itraumatized by the pain.

She’d always had poor eating habits, especially in thest two years.

Afraid of going through that pain again, she tried to take precautions. However, she didn’t expect it to bring her such unexpected benefits.

After hearing Josie’s exnation, the two of them let out a sigh of relief.

ire said, her face full of concern, “That’s good. From now on, you have to eat properly.

“If you ever feel unwell, promise you’ll tell us right away. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

Sean gave her a serious look. “Your health is the foundation of everything. Don’t take it for granted.”

“Okay, I promise I won’t neglect my health. I’ll listen to you and Sean. I’ll be good,” Josie said, looking extra sweet and eager to please.

ire couldn’t resist pinching her cheek again. “Yes, Josie, you’re the sweetest! Come on, let’s go eat. We’ll treat ourselves to something nice tonight.”

“I don’t think I can,” Josie said while ncing at Sean, “Someone’s waiting for me at the school gate. I need to go there first.”

ire was about to ask more when Sean cut in, “You go ahead and reserve a table. I’ll go with Josie to take care of something, and we’ll meet youter.”

Seeing how serious they both looked, ire decided not to ask any more questions.

“If anythinges up, you have to tell me, okay? No secrets,” she insisted.

Josie didn’t want her to worry. “I know, ire, Sean’s with me. It’s nothing serious. Just go ahead and reserve the table. We’ll be back soon.”

The three of them parted ways at the school gate. Sean apanied Josie to a car parked nearby, where a young policewoman had already been waiting for quite some time.

After they left, thepetition had just wrapped up.

The host announced a thirty–minute break, and said that after the break, the top thirty entries from each group would be announced.

12:15 Tue, 26 Aug

As soon as the teacher walked out, the whole venue instantly buzzed with excitement.

“Did anyone see what just happened? I’m so lost right now,” one student said.

18%

“Same here. To mess with a former teammate so tantly, right in front of the whole school? That’s just shameless,” another replied.

“Keep your voice down. That guy’s like the devil. Are you trying to get yourself killed?” someone warned.

“So what? He still got totally owned by ire in front of everyone. That was so satisfying,” someone else said with a smirk.

“Seriously, they’ve always acted so cocky. Looks like they finally ran into a brick wall this time!” another chimed in.

Someone mused, “Has anyone ever thought that these people got so cocky because ire’s group never joined the schoolpetitions before?”

“Exactly. The contest just kicked off, and it’s already blowing up. There’s definitely more drama toe!” another student said.

Someone argued, “I’m not so sure. Their project is creative, bute on, it’s

“How’s that supposed topete with the super popr field of cytology?”

acupuncture.

“That’s exactly where they lost out. If it wasn’t for the whole major thing, Professor Wilcourt wouldn’t keep getting outshone by Professor Lawson,” another chimed in.

“Let’s just keep watching. It alles down to what the judges decide. I’ve got a feeling this isn’t the end of it,” someone said.

Listening to all the heated gossip, Aiden and his friends couldn’t help but have their faces go through a whole range of emotions.

“Are you satisfied now?” Aiden shot Jaden a look, a flicker of contempt at the corner of his

mouth.

He continued, “You are iso /iimpulsive and arrogant. How many times has Professor Lawson told you to rein it in? This is a schoolpetition, not yourb.

“Josie is Professor Wilcourt’s student now. She’s not your teammate anymore, so you don’t get ito /icall her out in front of everyone.

“Who do you think you are, acting like you still have any right to lecture her?”

Gavin scoffed. “If you could actually put her in her ce, that’d at least be something. But what was that supposed to be?

12:15 Tue, 26 Aug PAb. /b

“You just made her look good in front of everyone. You let the whole school see how much she’s leveled up since she left our team.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Gavin?” Jaden shot up from his seat, his voice cracking with anger and instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Natalie felt her face burn with embarrassment and quickly grabbed Jaden’s sleeve.

She said, “Jaden, don’t lose your temper. Everyone’s watching us. Honestly, this isn’t on you. Josie is way too sly.

“She set you up to look bad. Who could’ve guessed she’d get so good so fast? It’s just unreal.”

田