Chapter 412
Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
He was a big guy, but curled up, he looked like an abandoned puppy.
Deep down, he had always known.
Ashley Lowell and her group never truly considered him one of them.
Their exclusion was blatant, written plainly on their faces.
They couldn't even be bothered to hide it.
Jude Granger had tried to win them over.
People naturally seek a sense of belonging, especially in an unfamiliar environment.
But no matter how friendly he was, they always looked down on him.
They never gave him the time of day.
Over time, Jude Granger gave up.
Some circles are just impossible to break into.
Trying too hard is useless.
So when the competition sign-ups began, he never even considered joining Ashley's team.
He had already settled on a research direction and was preparing to form his own group.
To his surprise, Ashley approached him first.
She invited him to join.
Jude Granger was stunned and didn't immediately agree.
Ashley thought he was too happy to speak and left with a scornful laugh.
Jude Granger wrestled with the decision for two days.
He ultimately decided to decline.
But by the time he found Ashley, the participant list had already been submitted.
"What's that look for?" she sneered.
"Letting you join is doing you a favor. Don't be ungrateful!"
Shane Holloway chimed in from the side.
"Yeah! If it weren't for the fact we're classmates, who'd want to carry you? You should be grateful!"
Jude Granger never got a chance to refuse.
He was forced into the group.
He adjusted his mindset, deciding to do his best since he was in.
Ashley tasked him with gathering research papers.
He spent three days and two nights compiling the data.
He hadn't even rested half a day before a new task arrived.
During this period, Jude Granger was even more exhausted than Caleb Watson.
At least Caleb got paid for overtime and could sleep through the night.
Jude Granger was on call twenty-four seven, run ragged by Ashley's demands.
Caleb watched him curled pathetically on the floor and frowned.
"Stop crying for now. Let me see the project report."
Jude Granger was confused. "...What report?"
"The final summary report that was submitted."
"I... I don't have it."
"What?!" Caleb was shocked.
"How can you not have it? Every group member submits a report. Even if the content is similar, different signatures represent individual work. Since Ashley included your name, there should be a report with your name on it."
Jude Granger was completely baffled.
"But I really don't... Ashley only had me collect data. She said she would handle the final submission."
Caleb asked, "She didn't have you print a copy?"
"No."
"And the others didn't tell you either?"
Jude Granger shook his head.
"Bastards!" Caleb's veins bulged on his forehead in anger.
"After the results are announced every year, the reports are returned to the group members. By now, you should have received it! If not the original, at least a copy."
Jude Granger mumbled, "I didn't get anything..."
Caleb gritted his teeth.
"Wait here in the dorm. I'm going out."
He turned and rushed out of the dorm, heading straight for Professor Victoria Lowell's office.
He raised his hand to knock, but paused when he heard voices inside.
Professor Lowell said, "You did well this time. A trial run and you won the Grand Prize."
It brought glory to the department and made her, as the advisor, look good.
After months of frustration, she could finally hold her head high.
She was in an excellent mood.
Ashley laughed. "I have to thank Sophia Sullivan, really. Auntie, how is she so talented? Publishing in 'Science' and 'Nature' like it's nothing... Even for a competition, she came up with such a brilliant project..."
Her tone was laced with envy.
Ashley had stolen Sophia's work, but she genuinely admired her ability.
Professor Lowell sipped her tea, unimpressed.
"This is what you call impressive? Hah— You can do anything she can. She's just lucky enough to have started earlier. You'll surpass her eventually!"
Ashley agreed verbally but laughed bitterly inside.
Surpass Sophia Sullivan?
She didn't even dare dream of it.
She used to believe her own "genius girl" hype.
But the more she experienced, the more she understood there was always someone better.
Sophia was truly exceptional.
And herself?
Well, she was pretty mediocre.
Fortunately, they had won the "Grand Prize" this time.
No matter the methods, the award was theirs.
Professor Lowell blew on her tea, a smug smile playing on her lips.
"Thankfully, I switched the reports ahead of time. Sophia's group had nothing to submit, so they couldn't possibly place. Once the results are out, their reports won't be returned to them. Our secret is safe. They won't even know what hit them!"
Ashley massaged her aunt's shoulders, smiling.
"Auntie, you're amazing."
This wasn't their first time doing this; they were old hands.
Sophia and her team would just think they lacked ability or were unlucky.
They'd never suspect the reports had been tampered with.
"Sophia worked so hard, only to pave the way for us. How ridiculous!"
After basking in her triumph, Professor Lowell asked, "No one on our side suspects anything, right?"
Ashley pouted. "They're benefiting from the Grand Prize too; they're thrilled. Even if they noticed something off, they wouldn't dare speak up. Who would throw away honor that's fallen into their lap?"
Ashley's eyes shifted. "Auntie, there's one more thing I forgot to mention... but it's probably not a big deal..."
Professor Lowell raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"I removed Jude Granger's name from the list. So he's the only one who didn't get an award."
Professor Lowell's brow furrowed. "Does he know?"
"...No."
"Did you have him do any work in the early stages?"
Ashley nodded.
Professor Lowell's face suddenly changed. "Are you an idiot?!"