Chapter 457
Chapter 457:
Hugh rolled his eyes. “Why would I lie? I had to invite her multiple times before she agreed to join our school. Every time she represented her school in competitions, she brought home first place, but refused to take the credit, always giving it back to the school p>
“Wait, what p>
The room fell into stunned silence, as though a vacuum had sucked the air out. Yelena—she was the legendary genius everyone had been whispering about all along?
“Mr. Wilson, Miss Roberts only participated in the 4001 program for undergraduates this time, correct? She applied to graduate school yet… or secured a spot?” Enoch Wilde, a senior professor, leaned forward, trying to mask his sudden nervousness under a thin veneer of calm.
His question hung in the air, but his tone betrayed what he truly wanted—confirmation. The other professors, who had been reclining comfortably moments before, sat up like hounds catching the scent of prey, their eyes fixed on the president. Hugh answered immediately. Instead, a ghost of a smile played across his lips—so subtle it could’ve been imagined.
This was exactly what he had expected.
Revealing Yelena’s identity as a prodigious talent had been a calculated move, not a careless slip. He knew the mere mention of her potential would ignite a fire of rivalry among the professors. If one of them managed to convince her to stay at Kheley University for graduate studies, it wouldn’t just elevate their academic standing—it would catapult the university’s prestige into the stratosphere.
When word of this reached his counterparts at other universities… oh, they wouldn’t be able to ignore it.
The thought of their reaction sent a flicker of satisfaction through Hugh. Yes, things were playing out perfectly.
“That’s right,” Hugh said with deliberate slowness, his words hanging in the air like bait on a hook. “She hasn’t chosen a mentor yet p>
The gleam in the professors’ eyes was unmistakable—predatory, eager, like wolves catching the scent of vulnerable prey. Hugh almost felt sorry for them. Almost.
“But be warned. I’ve tried persuading her to stay for graduate school more times than I can count, but she’s refused every time,” he continued, raising a hand as if to douse their enthusiasm.
“What?” one professor blurted out, his tone laced with disbelief. “She’s planning to go to another university or what p>
The room erupted in murmurs, a storm of concern swirling among the crowd. The thought of losing such a prodigy to another institution was unthinkable—a blow to their pride, their reputation, and their careers.
Hugh allowed the tension to simmer before extinguishing the panic with a calm smile. “No, not like that,” he said to them, pausing just long enough for the relief to set in. “Yelena simply didn’t consider graduate school. So, whether or not she stays here as one of your students will depend entirely on your abilities to convince her p>
That did it. The professors’ hunger turned to a frenzy, their desperation palpable. Hugh had played his cards well, and now the game was set.
Just as he prepared to bask in his success, an itch crept up his nose, sharp and sudden. He rubbed it, wondering if someone was cursing him behind his back. The thought made him chuckle internally. Better not tempt fate. If the professors were wolves, there was no need to stick around and let them turn on him.
Meanwhile, Yelena had no clue she’d become the prime target of a pack of ambitious professors. Oblivious to the chaos brewing in her wake, she felt only the weight of exhaustion lifting as she packed up for the day. After countless late nights and endless work, she could finally head home. The mere thought of seeing Donna again made her heart feel a little lighter.
“Yelena, are you heading home today?” Erica’s voice broke through her thoughts.
Yelena nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re doing great now. You don’t need my help anymore. But if anything comes up in the future, just let me know p>