She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 992

The standing ovation was deafening, entirely eclipsing the polite applause Quinn had received earlier.

Quinn sat completely paralyzed.

It wasn't the applause that crushed her—it was the indisputable logic of Melanie's breakdown. Despite being the complete opposite of her own assessment, even Quinn had to admit Melanie's answer was the clinically superior strategy.

And seeing Sebastian's reaction, the entire room knew Melanie had delivered the masterclass answer.

"Who the hell is this Melanie girl?"

"Not only is she gorgeous, but she's a total genius?"

"Does she even go to our school?"

"Do you think she has a boyfriend? I'm gonna ask for her number."

"You? Keep dreaming, buddy."

"Hold on. Is it possible... she's Director York's girlfriend?"

"Please God no! Let me live in my delusion that he's single and waiting for me!"

The students immediately plunged back into frantic whispering.

Sebastian didn't rush to resume his slides. He simply watched Melanie, his gaze a complex mix of professional admiration and sharp suspicion.

Melanie hadn't intended to steal the show.

Becoming the center of attention in a room full of undergrads was purely an accident. She had merely answered the clinical scenario presented.

Pivoting off Melanie's flawless answer, Sebastian dove deeper into the clinical applications of targeted therapy.

As the lecture progressed, Melanie's attention began to drift.

Outside, the rain had started. It was a torrential downpour, arriving without warning, violently lashing against the windows.

She silently cursed the typhoon; the weather warnings had been entirely accurate.

Roughly half an hour later, the lecture concluded.

Melanie didn't answer.

Her instincts told her he wasn't finished.

She was right. Seeing her silence, Sebastian leaned in slightly.

"I looked into you. That VIP pass you used to attend yesterday's medical summit... you secured it through Stellaris PharmaTech."

Melanie kept her expression perfectly blank, letting him continue.

"I know the Royce Group and Stellaris are strategic partners. I know you have deep commercial ties."

"But what I don't understand is... what could possibly be so fascinating about a standard, run-of-the-mill medical summit on Ruben Isle that you'd go out of your way to leverage Stellaris just to get a seat?"

His tone wasn't aggressive, but his eyes were like scalpels, dissecting her every micro-expression.

Melanie knew instantly.

Her cover was blown.