Chapter 252


    “Hey, what’s the buzz?” Wade leaned back in his chair, curiosity piqued by Mr. Hammond’s mention of


    someone turning in their test early.


    Mr. Hammond snapped out of his daze and chuckled at Wade, shaking his head. “It’s that student from


    our school, Mirabe. Anthony says she’s already handed in her test.”


    Wade raised an eyebrow in surprise, then nced at his watch. “This test isn’t a walk in the park. She


    finished in just over two hours?”


    Stowing his phone away. Mr. Hammond settled back into his seat, his tone nonchnt. “Yeah, can you


    believe it? Is the girl a prodigy or what?”


    Wade shot him a look. Wasn’t this just in old bragging?


    “How about we invite the youngdy over to my department after the finals tomorrow?” Wade stroked


    his chin thoughtfully. He had been keeping tabs on Mirabe and was well aware of her academic


    standing. So the idea of her turning in her test early due to difficulty never crossed his mind.


    Mr. Hammond’s pride was palpable as he lifted his chin. “I’ll have to ask her first. Once her final scores


    are out, I bet several departments from Prestige College will be vying for her.”


    He paused, then continued, “Besides, her grasp of physics is exceptional. Remember the problem from


    last year’s Physics Olympiad that only one student could solve? She cracked it in one night–and with a


    simpler method.”


    Unsaid was the implication. “Your biology department shouldn’t poach a physics prodigy.”


    Wade’s face registered shock again. “She really solved that physics problem in one night?” Finding


    solutions to Olympiad problems online was a pipe dream.


    “Of course. Why would I lie to you? I’ll get the physics teacher to send you the problem on Monday,”


    Mr. Hammond said, leisurely sipping his tea.


    Wade couldn’t help but retort, “Look at you, all smug.”


    After a brief pause, he added, “The biology department is just as prestigious. We’ve been friends for


    years; you have to convince her toe by tomorrow.”


    How could he not seize such a talented individual? She might just take an interest in his department.


    Mr. Hammond waved him off. “We’ll see, we’ll see.” Indeed, having a sought–after student was a


    delight.


    Upon receiving permission, Mirabe retrieved her phone from Anthony and stepped out of Prestige


    College. She sent a text to Adler. [Are you free right now?]


    1/2


    12:32


    Chapter 252


    Adler must have been anticipating her message, for his reply came swiftly. [I am. Where are you? I’ll


    come pick you up.]


    Mirabe nced back at the Prestige College sign, pondered for a moment, and texted back, [How far


    are you from Prestige College?]


    [Not too far. Meet me at the main entrance of Prestige College. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.]


    Mirabe responded with an affirmative.


    Pulling the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, Mirabe made her way to the roadside.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Twenty minutester.


    Adler pulled up in his Jeep outside the gates of Prestige College, turned off the engine, and got out.


    With mixed emotions ofplexity and excitement, he approached the entrance.


    The big shot was a senior in high school, so couldn’t be more than seventeen or eighteen. All he had to


    do was scan for someone that age, and he’d be spot on.


    #