Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Joyce, the world–famous “Chem Icon,” was searching for a teenage prodigy–someone around Eunice’s age
If I were that girl,” Eunice thought. Td be Jelonsburg’s darling overnight. Getting into Eminence Nexus would be effortless.
“Listen up.” Zack said, leaning against the podium. “No lecture today. We’re jumping straight into problem–solving. I’ll write the problem on the board. You have one minute to solve it–use any method you can.
The class erupted, “Mr. Shelton, seriously?” a student yelled. “A hard chem problem in one minute? That’s insane!
Zack ignored them and kept writing
When Eunice saw the problem, her back straightened. Her eyes lit up..
Eunice had come across this problem the night before. Too proud to let it go, she stayed up late until she finally found the simplest solution. Now, she jumped right into working on it without hesitation.
While the rest of the class struggled. Zoe glanced at the problem and immediately knew the answer. But she didn’t hurry—she stretched, yawned, and then lazily started writing.
“Mr. Shelton. I’m done! Eunice’s voice broke the silence, drawing everyone’s attention.
Bring me your answer, Zack said, extending his hand expectantly.
Eunice had skipped the complicated steps and gone straight to the simplest method, solving it in less than thirty seconds
When Zack took her paper and saw the answer, his hands shook with excitement.
This chemistry problem was based on one step of Joyce’s lab experiment–only a few could solve it, and finishing it in under a minute was nearly impossible.
Zack’s fingers tightened around the paper as his eyes locked onto Eunice in disbelief. “You’re the girl Ms. Yoder has been looking for. aren’t you?” he asked voice thick with excitement.
The classroom erupted the moment Zack spoke.
Eunice squirmed under everyone’s sudden attention. She realized this was her chance–if she played along as the rumored prodigy. she’d steal the spotlight. Meanwhile, Zoe would fade into obscurity, never able to compete.
Tossing her hair back, Eunice glanced away like she was hiding something. “Mr. Shelton, I really don’t know what you mean,” she said. lim voice thick with pretand confusion.
Zack nodded, completely taken in. I see now,” he said, watching Eunice put on that expression of pretended humility. This only strengthened fus conviction that she was the mysterious prodigy.
He held up a paper for the class. “You’ve all heard the news, right? Yesterday in Jeloushing, a chemistry genius solved a problem even Ms. Yoder couldn’t crack and saved her life.
And the best pa
right here at Highcrest University”
A stunned silence hell oyer the room. Then it clicked.
Wait. Mi Shelton, are you saying Eunice is the chemistry genius?” someone shouted, eyes bulging
Nearby Herbert and Jar ob gaped. Harir sister. They never thought she’d been keeping this incredible secret from them.
mpating for and Eu
essive confidem e ondy
appreciate Eunice’s quiet humility more.
Cheart raced as bei plan tell to place. With the real genius still aloent she saw her opportunity
the chemistry prodigy now, es
d
cone surfaced later, no one would believe that girl’s
This war her golden ticket–if she could unpress Jeansburg’s elite, she be on the last trask to Entinence Nesus, just like Philip
ir was abint to clann the ide
“Wait. Thus is wrung” He scrutinized
t again, spotting
hadn’t noticed vaches. “Vo
serour CO satead of Ch
Chapter 14
here, messing up the entire solution. The correct formula requires CH4”
at Eunice, shaking his head. “Your answer is incorrect. The hope drained from his face–she wasn’t the genius he’d hoped
He looked up at to find
Eunice’s stomach dropped as the mood in the room changed. Her classmates admiring looks had turned to disappointment. She dlended her jaw, annoyed that everyone looked like they’d seen this coming.
Desperate for a distraction, she glanced around–then froze when she spotted Zoe’s answer sheet.
What the saw hit her like a slap. Her eyes popped, shoulders trembling.
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