Chapter 173:
The large screen lit up with high-definition footage. Rylie appeared in a lab coat, operating a unique instrument. The timestamp marked the video as two months old.
“Is that…?” An elderly professor on the judges’ panel suddenly rose. “That’s a quantum-level microscope!”
A wave of astonishment swept through the room. The advanced equipment was rare — only a handful existed in the country. Even Stetson’s lab didn’t have one.
Rylie opened a second video. “These are logs from my research at the school’s experimental lab, the one formerly overseen by Timothy Powell. Starting from two months ago, I’ve meticulously documented all my research processes.” The screen showed her recording data, visibly worn out from sleepless nights, with dark circles etched under her eyes.
“That’s impossible!” Stacey objected, her voice rising again. “Powell’s lab doesn’t even have that kind of equipment! I’ve never seen it!”
Rylie shot her a calm, indifferent glance. “Of course you haven’t. I bought it myself.”
Stacey froze. “That’s ridiculous!”
“Is it?” Rylie responded with a faint, mocking smile. “You’re well aware that I can afford it. Your Kirk family still owes me tens of millions in unpaid medical expenses.”
The room erupted in murmurs, and Stacey’s face flushed with embarrassment. Her temper boiled over. “She’s lying! Don’t believe her! She even stole her cousin’s piano compositions — she’s a fraud! Nothing she says is true!”
“Enough!” the chairman of the judges interjected, his tone firm. “Rylie’s findings have been reviewed and affirmed by seven independent experts. And now she’s presented complete documentation of her work. We will not continue to discredit her simply because of her youth and brilliance. There is no flaw in her research.”
He turned sharply toward Stetson. “Professor Ahmed, control your student. This is an academic platform, not a courtroom for baseless accusations. Don’t bring internet gossip into a scientific evaluation.”
Standing center stage, Rylie cast a cool glance at the pale-faced Stacey and the shaken Stetson before shifting her eyes toward the back of the hall. Brad stood there, arms folded, a trace of amusement glinting in his eyes.
Your source: g𝕒ln𝕠v𝕖ls.𝕔𝕠𝕞
A faint smile tugged at Rylie’s lips. She raised the trophy high.
She had claimed this victory, thoroughly and on her own terms.
After the ceremony, Rylie stepped outside and saw Brad’s car still parked nearby. After a brief pause, she walked over, opened the door, and got in. “Why are you still here?”
Brad leaned back against the leather seat, relaxed. “Let’s grab a meal together. We’ve got something to celebrate, don’t we?”
Rylie weighed the medal in her hand. “This?” She tossed it casually into her pocket. “The prize money won’t even cover half my project costs.”
Brad replied, “Isn’t the rest of the funding coming from me?”
Rylie looked over at him. “Should I be thanking you, then?”
Brad chuckled. “Steak?”
“No. I’m eating at HaloFlow Pharmacy tonight,” she said, then hesitated briefly. “You want to come?”
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