That suggestion immediately piqued everyone’s curiosity.

Elodie noticed Maurice glancing her way. He lounged against the desk, all easy charm and lazy confidence, his smile wide but free of malice.

She responded with a faint, mocking smile, a flash of dry amusement in her eyes. Maurice’s intentions couldn’t have been more obvious.

Sylvie, for her part, knew today was the day the results would be posted; she also knew why Maurice wanted to bring it up in front of everyone. He was hoping to help her save face, maybe even embarrass Elodie publicly.

Sylvie shot Elodie a cool, sidelong glance. She was fully aware that Elodie’s results probably weren’t anything to brag about.

Unfazed, Sylvie said calmly, “We’re here at the aerospace research institute to observe and learn. Turning this into a spectacle over the results seems a little out of place, don’t you think?”

Grady couldn’t help but chuckle. “Why not? Having a top student in the field is good news for the institute. The country needs more bright minds-Ms. Fielding, you’re just being too modest.”

“Exactly. Everyone’s curious,” Maurice chimed in, glancing around at a few familiar business executives nearby. “And you and Elodie are practically study partners. Now that you’ve got everyone’s attention, how can we just let it go? Checking the results won’t take a minute.”

He tilted his head toward Elodie again.

With so many people watching, if Elodie’s scores turned out to be less than stellar, it would only fuel the rumors-she’d be labeled as someone who got in through connections, or worse, just a pretty face in academia.

Maurice’s goading had done its job; the whole group was now eager to see what would happen.

His motives were plain as day. Elodie’s lips curled in silent mockery-watching this unfold was like watching a bad joke play out.

Alexander glanced down at Elodie’s impassive expression before turning his warm smile on Sylvie. “Ms. Fielding, everyone’s already been accepted and assigned advisors. Does it really matter if we check now?”

At that, Grady shot him a cold look. “Mr. Sterling, is there something you’re afraid to show?”

He gave Elodie a dismissive glance, making it clear that he thought Alexander was just trying to shield her from embarrassment.

“Mr. Sterling, it’s no big deal,” Maurice said, his tone dripping with false comfort, though his smile never faltered. “There are thousands who take the exams every year. A difference of a few points doesn’t mean much. As long as Ms. Thorne applies herself under the guidance of her advisor, I’m sure she’ll shine eventually.”

Sylvie finally allowed herself a small smile, then turned to Jarrod beside her and said quietly, “Jarrod, should I check?”

She honestly wasn’t interested in Elodie’s ranking-she could guess well enough already. The only result that mattered to her was who came in first after the interviews. She didn’t care about a few points’ difference; she just wanted to know who that person was, and whether they had already accepted an offer elsewhere.

Jarrod looked up, his gaze drifting lazily toward Elodie’s side of the room. “Since Ms. Thorne’s score is among the results, shouldn’t we ask her permission before announcing them to everyone?”

He tossed the decision squarely to Elodie.

Caught off guard, Elodie met Jarrod’s eyes.

His expression was unreadable-as if he were only being politely considerate.

But Elodie saw right through it. If she refused, everyone would think she was just hiding a loss she couldn’t handle; if she agreed, she’d basically be telling them herself that she’d come up short compared to Sylvie. No matter what, she’d lose.

There was nothing altruistic about it.

Sylvie realized this too. Her tense brows relaxed, and as she looked over at Jarrod’s reserved expression, a hint of satisfaction played at her lips.

“If you’re all so eager to see, then why shouldn’t I be willing to share?” Elodie’s voice was cool as frost, her eyes glittering with a detached, unguessable irony.

Sylvie, in truth, hadn’t expected that response.