How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

As the announcement echoed through the hall, Sylvie's curious expression froze, then slowly shifted to stunned disbelief. She turned toward Elodie, who was already rising from her seat.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience as Elodie stood, but it was quickly drowned out by a surge of applause from the students at the back of the hall. The school had warned them there'd be a groundbreaking segment today, and since the university had purchased access to the research database, they'd already read the paper in question. Every single one of them had been blown away.

Now, realizing the author was none other than Mr. Sterling's student, their excitement reached a fever pitch. This level of genius was something they could only admire from afar.

Jarrod watched Elodie's calm profile, eyes narrowed with interest. Sylvie's heart pounded erratically-her mind blank, unable to process whether this was a dream or reality.

Grady, having noticed the look on Sylvie's face, remembered what she'd said about the paper being authored by a renowned figure in the field. Still, he couldn't help but blurt out, "There must be some mistake, right?" His words sounded

abrupt in the charged silence.

Alexander shot Grady a frown.

But the headmaster only smiled and turned to Elodie. "Ms. Thorne, would you please share a few words with your fellow students?"

of her daze. It

podium, scanning the packed auditorium from her vantage point. Only now,

gaze followed her every move. Sylvie stared in shock as Elodie took the stage, her face drained

be? How could someone like Elodie

yet powerful. She broke down the most crucial points of her research with clarity, making even the densest material accessible to her peers. No one could

delivery effortless, and there was a quiet poise about her-a subtle smile playing on her lips. Even in

word a jolt to

Jarrod beside her. He lounged back in his chair, his expression unreadable but clearly

on

along the row, Waldron listened just as intently, squinting at Elodie before

voice was gentle and soothing, drawing everyone in until, all too

the room

swelled-first scattered, then thunderous, until it filled the hall Students at the back even