Chapter 171:
“Is it possible that Rylie’s connection to the Owen family tipped the scales, landing her that gold award?”
“That crosses a line. Medicine isn’t some schoolyard contest — lives hang in the balance.”
Murmurs intensified as tension rippled through the crowd, with the judges quietly conferring among themselves.
A senior panelist finally addressed the room, his brow furrowed. “Professor Ahmed, let me assure you, all submissions were evaluated anonymously, and the review process was exceptionally thorough. There was no bias.”
Stetson’s tone was biting. “If that’s true, then how did she gather her data? Are we really to believe an undergraduate pulled off such advanced neural regeneration research alone?”
Curiosity swept through the auditorium as every head swiveled in Rylie’s direction. Unbothered, she twirled a pen between her fingers, radiating calm.
One of the judges leaned forward, addressing her directly. “Miss Owen, would you care to walk us through your methodology?”
Rylie placed her pen down with quiet confidence, rising from her seat at an unhurried pace. Rather than heading straight to the stage, she met Stetson’s stare with a mysterious smile. “Professor Ahmed, I welcome the chance to answer any concerns. Please, stop me at any point if something isn’t clear.”
Taken aback by her poise, Stetson managed to regain his composure. “You talk a good game. But if you can’t give a solid explanation, that’s proof the results are bogus!”
A gentle nod preceded her next move as Rylie reached into her bag and pulled out a USB drive. “Let’s walk through it together. I’ll lay out every step for you all.” Without hesitation, Rylie cast her research findings onto the auditorium’s main screen, filling it with graphs, time-stamped lab reports, and the full timeline of her work.
She addressed the audience with measured confidence. “Although I drafted the paper over a couple of days, the actual data collection spanned almost two months.” Step by step, she outlined how she identified a rare patient for sampling, then backed up each stage of her methodology with precise figures and documented evidence.
Magic begins at g αℓ ησ ν𝓮 𝓁s․com
Layer upon layer of advanced medical theory filled her presentation, leaving undergraduates glancing at one another in confusion. In the faculty section, several Ph.D. advisors watched in silent awe.
Any suspicion of plagiarism crumbled, as her fluid delivery and quick, detailed answers to tough questions made it clear she knew the material inside out. The clarity in her voice and the command she held over the material gradually won over many skeptics in the hall.
Stetson, looking even more unsettled, rose from his seat and tried to stump her with complex, borderline-hostile inquiries. Rylie addressed each challenge head-on.
Sometimes, even expanding the conversation with innovative ideas and potential future research.
Impressed murmurs grew among the judges. Her grasp of the field and her willingness to push boundaries didn’t go unnoticed.
But just as the room’s tension began to dissolve, a quiet voice drifted through the rows, catching Stacey’s attention.
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