Chapter 205: Elise Slammed a Stack of Papers Onto Theo Marsh's Desk

"Theo, I need you to run these calculations ASAP!" Elise slammed a stack of papers onto Theo Marsh's desk.

He didn't even look up. "Use the computer. I'm still processing my experiment data."

"Just five minutes!" Elise stamped her foot impatiently.

Theo jerked his chin toward the opposite workstation. "Ask Clara."

After the last data correction incident, everyone in the lab knew Clara Whitmore's extraordinary mental math skills. Only Celia Monroe stubbornly dismissed it as luck.

"Need help, Elise?" Clara set down her test tube and approached.

Elise looked relieved. "Calculate these figures for me!"

Clara took the documents, her fingers lightly tapping the pages. Two minutes later, she looked up. "Results sent to your inbox."

"That fast?!" Elise's eyes widened.

Theo abruptly dropped his pipette and snatched the papers. "Let me see."

Elise scoffed. "You refused earlier, now you want to verify?"

Ignoring her, Theo began scribbling calculations. Felix Moreau instinctively clicked his stopwatch.

"Done." Theo set down his pen. "Time?"

"Two minutes three seconds," Felix announced.

Theo stared at Clara with newfound interest. "You trained in mental math?"

"I learned abacus calculation as a child." Clara touched her nose sheepishly. "Around five or six."

The lab fell silent.

Theo swallowed hard. "That's...it?"

Felix suddenly jumped in. "Clara, how about a challenge?"

All eyes turned toward them.

Theo perked up immediately. "Brilliant! Felix's been training with me for eight months—perfect test."

"Whoever solves the most problems correctly in ten minutes wins." Theo produced paper and pens. "Loser buys lunch for the team."

Felix cracked his knuckles. "I'm treating everyone today!"

Clara smiled faintly. "You might regret that offer, Felix."

Her rare competitive edge electrified the lab atmosphere.

Celia muttered under her breath, "Such a showoff..." Only Felix caught it.

Theo scrawled five problems. "Ready—go!"

Pure calculation questions—a battle of speed and accuracy.

Three minutes in, Clara finished two problems. Felix was already on his third.

Elise nudged Theo. "Who's your money on?"

Theo kept his eyes on the competitors. "Felix's ahead for now."