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?"

confirmation snapped Sylvie out of her daze.

her vantage point. Only now, in front of hundreds of peers and respected faculty, did

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

How could someone like Elodie be responsible for work of such

down the most crucial

lips. Even in a hall filled

voice echoed in her ears, each word a jolt to her system. She knew just

Sylvie glanced at Jarrod beside her. He lounged back in his chair, his expression unreadable

tightened her grip on her skirt, knuckles

intently, squinting

everyone in until, all

a moment, the room

it filled the hall Students at