Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1404

"What do you mean, not necessary?"

Professor Dawson leaned in closer, his stern expression looking almost comical. "The people here today are absolute legends in the academic world. Especially that man over there..."

Juniper followed the professor's pointing finger, and her heart dropped, instinctively shrinking back into her seat.

Peter? What the hell was that old geezer doing in Eclara City?

"He's the most prestigious figure here today. He's cracked countless unsolvable medical cases."

The professor's voice trembled with excitement. "I'll find a way to introduce you two later. Getting just a shred of guidance from him would do wonders for your career."

"Seriously, it's fine—"

"Don't be modest! Leave it to me."

"I'm not being modest..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Professor Dawson marched off toward the front rows, beaming with pride.

Juniper was speechless.

The last time she had crossed paths with that old man Peter was two years ago. They had gotten into a screaming match over a specific "medical theory." In a fit of petty rage, the old man had eaten her entire stash of hidden snacks.

And she needed to make it clear: being in a foreign country, those treats were basically her lifeline. He ate all of them!!!

Not one to take a hit lying down, she had hacked into his computer and completely wiped a research paper he had spent days agonizing over. To top it off, she'd kicked over his painstakingly cultivated potted plants.

The old man had called to scream at her.

And guess what?

He couldn't out-argue her either, haha!

He had stomped his feet so hard in frustration that he'd actually sprained his ankle!

Their feud was legendary. If they saw each other today, it would probably end in a brawl.

"Know him?"

Seeing her guiltily sneak glances at the "legend," Shanley asked the question, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.

"Yeah."

Juniper pulled the brim of her cap down low, shoving her hands into her pockets, muttering through parted lips. "We go way back. Technically, he owes me his life."

Go way back?

A wicked grin spread across Shanley's face.

Well, this reunion was going to be incredibly entertaining.

—

The auditorium quickly filled with students.

The International Medical Skills Competition had run through the preliminaries, the semi-finals, and had now reached its grand finale.

Juniper listened to the presentations with genuine focus, offering a fair assessment. "They aren't here by accident. None of them are slackers."

"How's your classmate going to do?" Shanley unwrapped a piece of candy and slipped it into her mouth.

"Depends on the delivery."

She savored the sweetness, lowering her voice. "If the presentation is flawless, there's a real shot at placing."

Wasn't Jenna aiming for a Ph.D.?

This international competition carried massive weight. A top-three finish practically guaranteed admission to the doctoral program.

"The Eclara University student is up next," Shanley noted, shifting his gaze toward the stage. He was dying to see what kind of male classmate was important enough to get his girl out of bed on a weekend.

But the moment the student stepped into the spotlight, Shanley froze.

Male classmate?

He snapped his head toward Juniper, only to find the young woman wearing a smug, triumphant little smile.

She'd made him jealous on purpose.

Perfect.

Played like a fiddle yet again.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Jenna Sloan, a third-year clinical medicine graduate student from Eclara University..."