Return Of The Real Heiress: Secrets And Masks

Out of the corner of her eye, Cherise noticed Stella sitting at the translation booth. It seemed that Stella was still looking toward Hank, which only strengthened Cherise's earlier suspicions. Cherise gave a slight smile, then turned her gaze away and focused on the podium.

Hank, too, felt a burning gaze directed at him.

However, when he turned toward the source of the look, Stella had already stopped staring his way.

Hank merely squinted and, like Cherise, shifted his focus back to the podium, waiting for the competition to begin.

The podium was occupied by four prominent figures from the Global Medical Association.

It was clear that they were divided into two factions, one supporting traditional medicine, and the other modern medicine.

The preliminary round consisted of two parts a theory test and a practical exam.

The finals, however, were only practical. Everything would be decided today, within a single day.

Mentors were not allowed to offer any guidance during the theory portion, but they could provide verbal assistance during the practical part.

A few days ago, Hank had learned many technical skills from Cherise, so he appeared mentally prepared.

However, even before stepping on stage, Oscar, an arrogant competitor from Fresburg, secretly gave Hank the middle finger in a display of disdain.

No one noticed this except Cherise and Hank.

It was common for those studying modern medicine to look down on traditional medicine. That had always been the case

But to secretly make such a gesture in front of so many people was just plain rude.

The host's voice echoed through the hall, speaking in the local language of the host country.

As soon as the host finished speaking, Stella translated his words into five different languages.

The competition officially began. The host asked all participants to abide by the principles of the friendship first, competition second.

With that, the contestants began to prepare to take the stage.

Hank clenched his fists tightly and looked at Cherise. "Ms. Leach my goal has changed. It's not about the anymore. It's about putting traditional medicine on the global stage, gaining recognition for it." prize

money

Cherise nodded. "Go ahead."

Cherise seemed relaxed because after spending a few days with Hank, she realized his skills were even stronger than she had initially thought.

It would be no problem for Hank to stand out in the preliminary round.

Sure enough, when the first part of the theory test began, Hank finished all the questions before even halfway through the 30-minute limit, pressing the submit button with ease.

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His action caused a ripple of disruption among the other contestants, who were still deep in concentration.

Many in the audience and on the judging panel were stunned, staring in disbelief at the 14-year-old contestant from Clusia competing in the traditional medicine category.

Some spectators murmured in doubt, saying he must have guessed the answers, while others speculated that he was clearly incredibly skilled, or else he wouldn't have been able to finish so quickly.

The four judges from the Global Medical Association furrowed their brows in displeasure, sensing that Hank might be a bit too arrogant.

The theory exam was no easy task. The Global Medical Association's experts had carefully selected the questions, and even they needed 25 minutes to complete them.

Except for Jean and Zander, the students from the Traditional Medicine Department were left in shock.

They looked amazed and gaped with open mouths. "How did Hank finish so fast? Did he even think about the questions properly? I'm suddenly feeling anxious," one of them muttered. Nearby, Trent, Edmund, and Yancy wore expressions of pure joy, clearly impressed by Hank's performance.

Trent said, his face beaming with pride, "Edmund, Yancy, I told you so. Remember the last time Cherise was testing him? I was right there, and his answering speed was off the charts. "Not only was he fast but his accuracy was also sky-high. It's incredible. Hank is still a student at Betrico University."

Before the theory portion even ended, Hank's performance had everyone, except Cherise and a few others, doubting him, especially the other international contestants and their mentors. Stella, however, didn't yet understand Hank's true abilities and was hesitant to form an opinion. As she focused on her work, she couldn't help but sneak a few glances at him.

From time to time, Stella's gaze shifted toward Cherise, sitting among the mentors.

Stella couldn't help but think to herself, 'Mrs. Jarrett mentioned that Cherise is a disciple of Mr. Finch. No wonder her demeanor and poise are so outstanding.'

The bell signaling the end of the theory portion rang, and all the contestants stopped what they were doing.

Oscar, after finishing his test, cast a condescending look at Hank, his expression clearly disdainful.

Hank didn't respond, merely treating Oscar's gesture as if it were part of a clown's act.

Hank nodded briefly to Cherise to signal that everything was fine, then quietly waited for the judges to announce the scores for the first round.

After the results were read out in various languages, the head judge for the modern medicine team stood up, adjusting his reading glasses. "For the first round of the modern medicine team first place, Fresburg, full marks. "Second place, Ritewood, 98 points. Third place, Hesperia, 94 points. They're all close in strength, an evenly matched group.

Oscar, hearing that he got full marks, looked smug as if it were to be expected. He glanced at Hank with a mix of superiority and challenge.

Whether it was his personal disdain for traditional medicine or his particular animosity toward Hank, there was something almost deliberately provocative about his look.

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As soon as the modern medicine team's head judge sat back down, the head judge for the traditional medicine team stood

1. up.

Everyone was waiting for this announcement with bated breath, especially after Hank had finished all his answers in less than half the time.