But it wasn’t over yet. Anastasia spoke up bluntly, “Dean, isn’t Mr. Evert going to be punished? He was involved in this from start to finish. As vice dean, his actions were even more egregious—I think he’s made the bigger mistake.”
Dean Lockwood was known for being open-minded and receptive to suggestions. He nodded immediately, “You’re absolutely right! Otto, you’re out of this year’s selection process!”
Mr. Evert’s face turned an alarming shade of green.
Clutching his chest, he looked on the verge of fainting from sheer outrage.
The Global Harmony Medical Institute was a vast organization. Fairhaven’s campus was just a branch—the main headquarters were in Riverton.
Across Veridia, there were fifteen branches in total. Every three years, the Institute held a rigorous selection. Any teacher or student who passed could transfer from the branches to the main campus.
That was where the world’s true prodigies gathered.
Mr. Evert had spent three years preparing for this selection.
And now, over something so trivial, Dean Lockwood had revoked his eligibility?
He nearly coughed up blood from the injustice.
“Dean—” he began desperately.
“That’s enough!” Lockwood cut him off without hesitation. “Don’t tell me this is a small matter. Even if it was, you still managed to make such a rookie mistake. How can you be considered for selection? Wait for the next chance three years from now!”
Evert’s complexion flickered from pale to livid. Suddenly, he shot Anastasia a murderous glare, as if he could devour her alive.
Anastasia responded with a flawless, unassailable smile.
If the students were being punished, why should the teacher get off scot-free? Teachers and students should be treated the same—fair and square.
So, that day’s meeting ended with both Lauren and Mr. Evert receiving their penalties.
As for the students Lauren had rallied against Anastasia, their impression of her had completely changed. Lauren, who always put on an air of cool detachment and indifference toward ambition, could barely keep her composure; her face darkened in front of everyone.
“Mr. Lancaster,” Logan announced as he entered, “a gift has just arrived—for the lady of the house.”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed. “A gift?”
“Who sent it?”
If it had been from an ordinary friend or classmate, Logan would have just accepted it—there’d be no reason to report it directly.
His manner now could only mean that either the gift, or the sender, was anything but ordinary.
And indeed, the delivery had been quite the spectacle: the person leading the group looked every inch the butler of a powerful family. Along with a host of valuable presents, there was a single, exquisitely ornate wooden box, which the butler personally handed over to one of the manor’s staff.
The visitors were in such a hurry that they barely waited for Logan to appear before they left, but not before giving strict instructions to the housekeeper: “This is from my young master, for Ms. Anastasia Sterling, in gratitude for saving his life. He hopes she will keep it safe.”
When Harrison came downstairs, he saw Marcus had already opened the box, lifting out an antique-looking pendant and turning it over with a curious, almost mischievous look on his face.

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