The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 930

Shirley’s eyes went wide with delight. Honestly, she would have been happy with any result, as long as it meant she could join the Physics Association.

Right next to her, Beck’s hands tightened into fists. His face was getting darker with every second. Losing first place was annoying enough, but if Shirley had taken it from him, something had to be up. He definitely wasn’t going to let this go.

“In second place… Beck.”

“And congratulations to Shirley, this year’s champion!”

“The scores for all ten contestants are up on the big screen now…”

As Mr. Lane finished, everyone’s attention snapped to the display.

Shirley had been in fifth after the first round. But in the second round, the written exam, she had gotten a perfect score. That single result had shot her straight to first place.

A perfect score?

Shirley stared at the screen, too stunned to blink. She could barely believe it. Beck looked like he’d been turned to stone, completely lost for words. The whole audience, including Andrew and his friends, was silent with shock.

No one had expected Shirley to win. Not even close.

Except for Charlotte. She sat just as calm and collected as she had at the start, her expression cool and steady. Only when she saw Shirley’s name at the top did the corners of her lips curve into a quiet, satisfied smile. Finally, she thought, someone to follow in her footsteps. Maybe now the physics community would stop relying on her alone.

Before the crowd could process what had happened, a sharp voice cut through the noise from the stage.

“I don’t believe these results are valid!”

Every head turned to Beck.

Mr. Lane frowned, lips pressed tight. He hadn’t seen the book either. Dr. Cole’s new work hadn’t come out yet.

So how did Shirley know about it?

“There are things in that book my advisor and I still can’t fully understand,” Beck insisted. “Shirley’s a freshman. Her foundation in theory is shaky at best. How could she possibly get a perfect score?”

“I want Shirley to explain how she learned what’s in that book.”

The tension in the room was almost unbearable. Everyone was staring at Shirley now, their eyes full of suspicion, as if her guilt was already decided.

Shirley’s hands balled into fists. She looked out at the crowd, searching for something, until her gaze landed on Charlotte.

That book… Lottie was the one who gave it to her.