Chapter 432: The Auditorium Fell into Complete Silence

The auditorium fell into complete silence.

The presenting student abruptly stopped mid-sentence, casting a confused glance toward the podium. Vice President Hall was frantically scrolling through his phone, his glasses sliding down to the tip of his nose.

"Ahem!" The academic dean cleared his throat loudly.

But President Hall suddenly grabbed the microphone, his fingers trembling visibly.

"Breaking news! A student from the School of Life Sciences has published a paper in Meridian Science!"

The entire room froze.

The words "Meridian Science" exploded through the crowd like a bomb.

"Did I hear that right?"

"Our university?"

"It must be Derek!"

Whispers rippled through the audience. Professor Lenora Voss unconsciously straightened her posture, a proud smile playing on her lips.

Avery Quinn clenched her pen so tightly her knuckles turned white. She glared daggers at Derek sitting in the front row, her mind in turmoil.

Sabrina Ford and Victoria Holloway exchanged shocked looks.

"Bro!" Zach Nolan slammed the table as he jumped up. "I knew it was you!"

Just as Derek opened his mouth to speak—

"Let's congratulate Clara Whitmore!" President Hall's voice boomed through the auditorium.

All air seemed to leave the room.

Reid Everett's half-raised hand froze mid-air.

"Clara...Whitmore?" someone murmured.

The auditorium erupted.

"Who's that?"

"Never heard of her..."

"A first-year grad student?"

From a corner came hushed whispers: "I heard Professor Miriam once mentored a prodigy..."

"Also surnamed Whitmore..."

"Could it be...?"

Avery's face drained of color.

Her pen clattered to the floor.