At that moment, Mr. Evert addressed the group. “This is the last round of consultation. Who wants to go? Sign up now, or you can choose to bow out.”
A few of the students hesitated. Two shook their heads without a second thought. “I’ll pass. After the last visit, I spent days trying to figure it out, but honestly, this patient is beyond my ability.”
Cora and Erin, on the other hand, weren’t ready to give up. Both put their names forward.
Naturally, Lauren signed up as well.
Mr. Evert nodded and was just about to close the notebook when Lauren suddenly spoke up.
“Professor, aren’t we going to give Anastasia a chance?”
All eyes immediately turned to Anastasia.
She glanced up, her expression unreadable.
Mr. Evert seemed to catch on, a smile flickering across his face—one that was impossible to interpret. “You’re right, we should give Anastasia a chance. After all, she’s the kind of genius who scores perfect marks, isn’t she? Maybe the problems that have stumped the rest of you will be nothing to her!”
His tone dripped with obvious sarcasm.
Lauren, looking straight at Anastasia, didn’t bother to hide the pride and challenge in her eyes. “Well, Anastasia, are you going?”
Anastasia sat back, completely at ease.
The professor and Lauren were deliberately putting her on a pedestal, taunting her, but they clearly didn’t believe her perfect scores reflected real skill. They just wanted to provoke her into accepting, then watch her embarrass herself.
“Sure,” she answered with a faint smile, accepting without hesitation.
If they were going to hand her an opportunity to prove them wrong, she’d take it gladly.
Mr. Evert let out a cold chuckle, his pen sweeping across the page as he added her name. “Very well. Let’s see what you can do!”
“I intend to,” Anastasia replied calmly.
As they spoke, both girls couldn’t help glancing at Anastasia and shaking their heads.
Anastasia? She was just there to make a fool of herself.
Anyone with the slightest self-awareness would have refused, but Anastasia seemed clueless—one little jab and she agreed right away.
Anastasia, however, remained unruffled. When the time came, she set out with the group.
The drive took them out to the edge of town, to a secluded, elegant house nestled among the trees.
The butler greeted them at the door, ushering them inside with practiced courtesy.
Anastasia quietly observed her surroundings as they walked through the hallways. She noticed several guards stationed throughout the property. Their composure and physical presence reminded her of the security detail that Harrison kept around, and their tight patrols made it clear: whoever owned this house was no ordinary person.
Did Fairhaven really have families like this?

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