At that moment, Summer kept quiet.Not because she didn’t want to talk back, but because the weight of everything was finally landing heavily on her shoulders. What they said wasn’t a lie. That was actually one of the strict rules in this final test—to treat ten different animals, all with different conditions. Out of those ten, she could manage five on her own if everything went perfectly. But the remaining five? It would require assistance. It wasn’t just written in the handbook; it was common knowledge for everyone participating.And now that she was standing here alone, the realization was finally hitting her hard. That was the real reason she was nervous before deciding to come today. That fear of doing this alone. But back then, her pride didn’t allow her to admit it to herself. She told herself she could handle it. She told herself Jason would be enough. But right now, standing here in the middle of mocking laughter and humiliating comments, she wasn’t so sure anymore.She glan

At that moment, all the noise around Summer felt like a pounding storm. The voices, the laughter, the sly comments—they tried to tear her down, brick by brick, reputation by reputation. But she didn’t come all the way here to beg for validation.She didn’t prepare this hard, work this long, just to let people who couldn’t even stand beside her in ability act like they were above her.So she lifted her head and took one slow, deep breath. Then, without even raising her voice, she let her words drop like thunder.“Well… just like what my partner has said,” she began, her tone cold and cutting, “I am going to pass—in flying colours.”Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the group before her, one by one—those from other schools, those from her own department, and worst of all, those she once trusted.“I don’t owe any of you an apology,” she said sharply. “You made your decision already. You think I belittle you? You think I don’t respect you? Then own it. Stand by it. No one forced you to w

The crowd began to murmur.Eyes flicked between wristwatches, countdown timers, and Summer’s still, unreadable expression. The air carried tension so thick it could be sliced. The judges hadn’t even arrived yet, but everyone acted like the final verdict was moments away. And in a way—it was. Not from the judges, but from her so-called teammates, her peers, and everyone else who had cast her aside.Jason stood calmly beside her. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t speak. Not because he was afraid, but because he understood her.He liked Summer—not because she was perfect, but because she stood her ground. She didn’t fold when the world pushed her. She didn’t tolerate nonsense, and she never begged for acceptance. It was the part of her that made people misunderstand her… but it was also what made her shine in Jason’s eyes.She was a rock, and Jason knew it.She could stand in the middle of a storm—mocked, humiliated, alone—and she would never bend. She wouldn’t break. That was who Summer was.

“Definitely, she’s going to get the biggest shock of her life,” Leo said coldly, his voice slicing through the hallway. He folded his arms and leaned against the railing as his eyes bore into Summer with quiet contempt. “When the judges finally disqualify her… when the legions of experts here finally speak the truth about her, she’s going to realize how far she’s fallen.”“And maybe,” Chloe added with a cruel grin, “just maybe, that’s when her senses will come back. That’s when she’ll finally understand that pride and stubbornness are useless in this world.”Damon chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slowly. “She’s still standing there, acting like a queen with no crown. I mean, look at her! Not even a twitch of regret on her face. It’s almost pitiful.”Summer stood in silence, but Jason could sense the heat rising around her—the tension, the insult, the shame being flung at her like arrows. Yet she didn’t move. She didn’t flinch. She stood with her head up, daring them to cont

So why were they even here?Why were they trying so hard to insert themselves into a situation that didn’t concern them?Summer’s eyes slowly moved from face to face, scanning the students from the rival school as their voices lingered in the air—voices filled with judgment, pity, and ridicule. She had heard enough. They weren’t speaking out of concern. They were trying to humiliate her. Trying to make a mockery of her name when, truth be told, they were barely holding up their own.Her voice came out steady, but with an undertone that bit like hidden fire.“Why are you trying to protect people who didn’t ask for your help?” she said, slowly stepping forward. “Why are you trying to advise a stranger in a matter that has absolutely nothing to do with you? Do I look like I asked you for advice?”The crowd began to go silent. The same crowd that was giggling moments ago leaned in just slightly.“You all should focus on yourselves. Seriously. Worry about your own future. Because the last