Abbey''s eyes narrowed with determination. "From today onward, Lone Ind''s gates will forever be closed to anyone from Austenberg Medical School."


    "Any student from Austenberg Medical School is permanently banned from setting foot on Lone Ind."


    The silence was deafening as Abbey''s promation hit like a thunderbolt, sending shockwaves through the room. Everyone was on edge.


    "Mr. Tanner..."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Debra wasn''t the only one looking to Mr. Tanner; all eyes turned to him, their faces etched with worry and uncertainty.


    Lone Ind was a beacon for medical students worldwide, a ce where they dreamed of honing their skills. To put all that on the line for one student, Flora, seemed excessive. Why risk offending Lone Ind over Flora?


    Even if Flora scored exceptionally well, it wouldn''t be worth muchpared to the favor of Lone Ind. Better to cate them.


    Mr. Tanner''s fists clenched, veins popping. Even he couldn''t shoulder the repercussions.


    But to abandon Flora, to allow her to be vilified by all of Austenberg-he couldn''t bring himself to do it.


    Seeing Mr. Tanner''s hesitation, Abbey''s smile widened, confident in her victory.


    Selene was a bundle of nerves, terrified that Mr. Tanner might actually cave in.


    Abbey''s y was ruthless.


    Selene nced over at Flora, who stood there nonchntly, hands in her pockets, eyes downcast, masking her expression.


    Yet, Flora exuded a powerful, restrained aura.


    Selene''s anxiety eased. Flora wasn''t one to be easily bested.


    She must have something up her sleeve.


    Finally, after a tense minute, Mr. Tanner stood.


    "Have you made your decision?" Abbey''s smile grew, certain of her win.


    elne


    е


    "Ms. Abbey, my position remains unchanged, Mr. Tanner took a deep breath, locked eyes with Abbey, and enunciated each word clearly, "L want nothing but fairness and justice. Whatever Flora''s score is, it should stand."


    Abbey''s smile vanished, her eyes turning icy, ring at Mr. Tanner like a snake ready to strike.


    Debra and Joy exchanged worried nces. Abbey hadid down the gauntlet, and still, Mr. Tanner chose to defend Flora!


    What if Flora''s score was a zero?


    What if it was a mere thirty or forty points?


    It would be all for nothing and would make them enemies of Lone Ind forever.


    Mr. Tanner was on the brink of fury, so they stayed silent, shooting resentful nces at Flora.


    If not for her, none of this would be happening.


    Flora, hearing Mr. Tanner''s words, raised an eyebrow, pulled her hands from her pockets, and looked up at him, standing a bit straighter. "Fine, then!"


    Abbey ground her teeth, her chest heaving with rage.


    Whether Mr. Tanner agreed or not didn''t really matter to her; she had ways to make sure their pleas would go unheard. But she couldn''t stand Mr. Tanner''s unwavering support for Flora. en FindNovel


    What made Flora so special?


    "Since Mr. Tanner insists, then-"


    "Ms. Abbey!"


    Abbey was interrupted by a staff member who burst in, panic etched on his face, whispering urgently, "Mrs. Falcone has arrived." "What''s the rush?"


    Amanda''s arrival was expected. With all themotion, Connor wouldn''t stay idle and would likely send Amanda.


    But Amanda was closer to Abbey than Flora. She''d side with Abbey.


    "It''s not just that," the staff member


    said, agitated. "Along with the


    Falcone family, the Washington family has representatives here, and even the young master from the Reyes family has shown up. They all seem to be here for Flora"