Chapter 206: But His Eyes Said Everything

Grant remained silent, but his eyes said everything.

By the fifth minute, Clara's pen flew across the paper as she solved the fifth problem.

Felix hesitated for a few seconds on the fourth question, falling behind.

Clara overtook him, though the gap was razor-thin.

At the sixth minute, both hit a wall on the final problem.

* * *

Six minutes and fifty seconds in, Clara set down her pen.

Beads of sweat dotted Felix's forehead. "...Done!"

Too late by ten seconds.

Wiping his brow, he forced composure. "Speed's just one factor. Accuracy matters more."

The results proved otherwise—Clara flawless, Felix with one error.

His eyes widened. "?" The rebuttal came too fast to process.

"Your mental math is incredible," he conceded. "Just childhood training, really?"

Theo nodded subtly.

Clara's brilliance wasn't just skill—it was her unshakable poise under pressure.

That alone sealed Felix's defeat.

Elise teased, "Well, Felix? Convinced now?"

He waved both hands. "Totally. Thoroughly outclassed—"

Losing to Theo was one thing, but an undergrad?

This blindsided him.

Elise clapped his shoulder. "Win some, lose some. Rematch later—but tonight's dinner won't wait."

The last part carried more weight.

Felix grinned. "My treat! But Clara, how'd you crack the last problem?"

His method had seemed ingenious.

She explained her approach without hesitation.

His jaw dropped. "...That works?"

"If it gets the answer."

"...Mind blown."

Theo pressed again, "Sure you never trained formally?"

Meeting his probing gaze, she shook her head. "Positive."

Since childhood, numbers bent to her will—problems requiring steps for others solved at a glance.

"I've compiled mental calculation notes. Interested?"

Elise gasped. "Theo, your sacred notes? Since when do you share?"

He shrugged. "A sword suits its master. Worthy hands deserve good tools."

Clara hesitated. "Is that...appropriate?"

Theo cut straight through. "Yes or no?"

"Absolutely!"

Why refuse such an offer?

Felix, completely out of the loop: "?" So love transfers just like that?

Fine. Clearly, I'm unworthy.

Elise smoothly redirected. "Shouldn't we decide dinner plans now?"

"Eating out?" A new voice cut in from the doorway.

They turned.

Elias entered, tying his lab coat. "Reached a verdict yet? Where to?"