Chapter 189
Lucinda's thoughts drifted back, unbidden, to many years ago.
Back then, she was still in school. The National Academy of Sciences of Astoria's research selection exam had been her biggest goal that year.
She'd prepared for six solid months. She'd gone through every reference book three times, worked through five years of past exams twice, and even scouted the route to the test center in advance.
And then Gemma got sick.
It wasn't anything serious, but it flared up suddenly three days before the exam. She needed round-the-clock care.
At the time, Lucinda hadn't left the Wipere family yet. Gemma lay in bed, brow furrowed, and said, "Cindy, take care of me for a few days. I don't trust anyone else."
Lucinda had looked at the woman lying there with that furrowed brow, and the words on the tip of her tongue went back down.
In the end, she didn't take the exam.
The registration fee went to waste. The test permit sat in her drawer for a year before being tossed out during a decluttering session.
After that, she never participated in any public research exams again. By then, her achievements no longer needed a test paper to prove them.
But that regret had always stayed with her.
She pulled herself back to the present, picked up the pen on her desk, and wrote a line in the blank space at the bottom of the invitation.
[Thank you for the invitation. I will not be joining the judging panel. However, I would like to apply to take the exam.]
Fiona froze, leaned in to read it, and her face filled with disbelief. "Ms. Wipere, you—you want to take the exam? Not be a chief examiner, but actually sit for the test?"
Her voice rose a few notches. "But with your current level, you don't need to take an exam like this! Your research achievements already far exceed the scope of the test. If you take it, wouldn't that be—"
She didn't say "a waste of your talent," but her expression said it clearly enough.
Lucinda handed the invitation back to her. "Reply to them with this."
Fiona took the letter, still wanting to argue, but when she met Lucinda's calm gaze, she finally nodded and turned to leave.
The reply came faster than expected.
Less than two hours later, a response from the National Academy of Sciences of Astoria arrived.
The seal was still stamped on the envelope. The wording was brief but enthusiastic: [Welcome. Your test permit will be sent along with the exam notice.]
When Fiona walked into the office holding the reply, the shock hadn't fully left her face. "Ms. Wipere, they agreed."
She couldn't help but sigh, her tone tinged with regret. "In the entire history of the National Academy of Sciences of Astoria, this is the first time someone has refused a chief examiner invitation and applied to take the exam instead. You've set another precedent."
Lucinda took the reply, folded it neatly, and placed it in her drawer without much expression. "When's the exam?"
"Mid-next month. Nationwide, same day." Fiona had already memorized the details and rattled them off. "The test center's in Starlight City—specific location hasn't been announced yet. It's two rounds: first round is written, second round is practical, with three days in between. It's extremely difficult. The pass rate every year is less than five percent."
Lucinda nodded. She picked up her pen, opened the next folder, and turned her attention back to work.
When Lucinda left the Ridgeway Tech building that evening, the Maybach was already parked out front, the driver waiting in the driver's seat.
She ducked into the back seat. Reginald turned his head to look at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. "You're in a good mood today?"
Lucinda closed the door and turned to him. "You can tell?"
"Yes." Reginald leaned back in his seat. "The corner of your mouth was turned up when you got in."
Lucinda didn't deny it.
After the car had driven for a while, she suddenly spoke. "I signed up for an exam."
Reginald turned to her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but more than that—curiosity. "What exam?"
"The National Academy of Sciences of Astoria's research selection exam."
The car fell silent for two seconds. Reginald's fingers tightened slightly. "With your level, you'd be more than qualified to be a chief examiner. You're going to… take the test?"
"Yes."
Reginald didn't say much. He just nodded, his tone carrying a natural, unwavering certainty. "You'll be fine."
He paused, then added, "I'll pick you up when it's over."
Lucinda looked at him. He was facing forward, expression serious, as if he were saying something perfectly ordinary.
But she knew he understood what that exam meant.
Hundreds of thousands of applicants. Fewer than two thousand test-takers. A five percent pass rate. The competition was as fierce as any top-tier selection process.
Yet when he said, "You'll be fine," there wasn't a trace of doubt in his voice.
Lucinda withdrew her gaze and looked out the window.
At the Douglas family estate, when Lucinda pushed open the front door, the living room lights were blazing.
Valencia was directing a servant carrying a bowl of hot soup out of the kitchen. Seeing Lucinda come in, she hurried over.
"Cindy's back! Come here, I had the kitchen make you soup—it's good for your lungs. You're on the computer all day. Drink this."
She set the soup bowl on the dining table, then turned to grab another bowl, chattering as she went. "There's also pork ribs—your favorite. I specifically had Uma stew them a bit longer. They'll be delicious."
Wesley walked over too. "You're home. Are you tired? Drink some soup first. Don't rush upstairs."
He pulled out a chair at the table and picked up another bowl to serve Lucinda some food.
Lucinda sat down at the table. In front of her was a full spread of dishes. She lowered her head and took a sip of soup. The temperature was perfect. The broth was clear and light, sweet on the palate, with a faint meaty aroma.
Valencia sat across from her, chin resting in her hands, watching Lucinda drink the soup. The smile lines at the corners of her mouth were so deep she couldn't hide them.
In the corner, Dahlia sat on a single-person sofa, holding a cup of tea that had long gone cold.
She watched the three people at the table. Watched Valencia add food to Lucinda's plate with a face full of concern. Watched Wesley push the soup bowl closer to Lucinda's hand. Watched every dish on the table revolve around that one direction.
Her gaze landed on the pork rib in Lucinda's bowl, then on the smile at the corner of Valencia's mouth. Suddenly, the tea in her hands felt even colder than before.
Earlier that day, she'd passed by Valencia's dressing room. The door was ajar, and Valencia's voice drifted out as she spoke on the phone.
"…Yes, that necklace needs to be reset. Cindy likes simple designs—not too many small diamonds. Just a single main stone… Yes, size it to her wrist. You've measured it before…"
She hated it even more.
Those jewels. Those clothes. Those carefully selected gifts—they used to be for her!
After Lucinda came back, everything was slowly shifting toward Lucinda.
Dahlia held the cold cup of tea, slowly stood up, and returned to her room.
She took a deep breath, walked to her desk, and sat down. She opened her laptop.
Her fingers had just touched the keyboard when a notification popped up in the lower right corner of the screen.
She was about to close it, but as her eyes swept over the headline, her fingers froze.
[National-level scientific research selection exam registration opens. Nationwide tour exam on unprecedented scale. Past pass rate under 5%.]