Chapter 562 - 558: Lorcain Tech Olympiad Team

Since this was the first time the team had gathered in person after being added to a group chat, most of them weren’t very familiar with one another, aside from Elias Warner, the student council vice president.

When he asked his question, the others couldn’t help but exchange uncertain glances.

Elias Warner’s gaze landed on the only other girl present. "We’re missing a girl, right? You just said your name is Sheila Hughes, so does that mean Cecilia Sterling isn’t here?"

Sheila Hughes, who was from the computer science department, nodded.

Another one of the guys immediately complained, "This Cecilia Sterling was dragging her feet about joining the group chat, too. We all joined the night before last, but she only got in this morning. They were probably short one person at the last minute and just threw her in."

The young man had a rather long face and a dark complexion, and his expression was one of extreme impatience as he spoke. He was the one who had sent the message Cecilia Sterling saw when she joined the group chat that morning.

The young man’s name was Lee Warner, but he gave off a distinctly rude impression.

Sheila Hughes wore a pair of heavy-framed glasses and had a timid aura about her. It was obvious at a glance that she was the quiet, reserved type who didn’t talk much.

But upon hearing Lee Warner’s comment, she still spoke up in a low voice to remind him, "The professor scheduled the meeting for four o’clock. It’s not time yet."

"So she’s going to show up right on the dot? The rest of us knew to come early to get acquainted and pick Elias’s brain a little. We’re a team. She clearly has no team spirit."

Elias was inwardly displeased, but he maintained a calm facade. "It’s fine. As long as she gets here before the professor does."

The last person, a math student named Yates Sanders, had been quietly observing everyone’s expressions. Finally, he couldn’t resist asking tentatively, "You guys really don’t know who Cecilia Sterling is?"

His question made everyone turn to look at him.

Lee Warner frowned. "What do you mean? Should we know who she is?"

"Y-You probably should..." Yates Sanders said, hesitating.

Elias narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You know her?"

Yates Sanders quickly shook his head. "No, I don’t know her personally, but I know *of* her. She’s in the astronomy department. I heard she’s the one who donated those telescopes to the astronomy department. It was a huge deal on campus at the time. You guys really haven’t heard about it?"

The others exchanged glances, seeing only confusion reflected in each other’s eyes.

The incident had been sensational at the time, but it wasn’t a guarantee that everyone at Lorcain Tech had heard about it. This was especially true for the people in the room, who were the type to bury their heads in their books and had little interest in matters that didn’t directly concern them.

Besides, the news cycle moves so fast these days. Even if they had heard something about it back then, they would have forgotten it soon after.

Yates Sanders added, "And she’s incredibly beautiful!"

As soon as those words were out, Lee Warner’s expression visibly brightened. He asked instinctively, "Incredibly beautiful? Just how beautiful are we talking?"

"Extremely beautiful!" Yates Sanders stressed the word "extremely." "I’ve seen her twice in the school cafeteria. She’s the kind of girl who’s prettier than a movie star. A lot of guys I know consider her a goddess, but no one dares to pursue her."

"For real?" Lee Warner was skeptical. It wasn’t like Lorcain Tech was short on beautiful women—he’d seen his fair share—but he’d never heard such an exaggerated description.

’Prettier than a movie star?’

Yates Sanders nodded seriously. "It’s understandable that you haven’t seen her. I hear she’s rarely on campus. When she gets here, you’ll see for yourself."

Listening to Yates, Sheila Hughes also grew curious about Cecilia Sterling. Since she herself wasn’t what anyone would call a beauty, she wondered what a girl who was considered a "goddess" in the eyes of men was actually like.

Meanwhile, Elias Warner, seeing how everyone’s attention had completely shifted to Cecilia—who, importantly, hadn’t even arrived yet—grew annoyed. He tapped his fingers on the table. "We are the Lorcain Tech Olympiad team, not a beauty pageant audience."

The moment he spoke, the others shrank back. Lee Warner, ever the sycophant, chimed in, "Elias, please continue. It’s Cecilia Sterling’s loss for not being here to hear this. We want to listen."

Sheila Hughes picked up her pen, ready to continue taking notes. She genuinely wanted to hear what he had to say.

"Where was I?"

"Novel problem types!"

Elias Warner nodded. Just as he was gathering his thoughts to continue, the door to the tiered classroom was suddenly pushed open.

Cecilia Sterling was wearing light-colored jeans, a pair of white flats, and a pastel pink hooded jacket. Her black hair cascaded casually down her back. Her entire appearance was simple and fresh, giving her an air of almost unreal innocence.

Despite her casual attire, her appearance made everyone seeing her for the first time stop and stare.

Yates Sanders, the only one who had seen her before, recognized her immediately. But even though he had seen her from a distance twice, he was still struck by her beauty up close.

"Cecilia!" He was the first to stand and wave. "We’re all here, just waiting for you!"

Cecilia Sterling walked into the classroom, looked at the group, and gave a slight nod. "Hello, I’m Cecilia Sterling."

Even as a girl, Sheila Hughes found herself staring, a little dazed. ’She’s so beautiful,’ she thought, ’and I think she smells nice, too.’

"Hi, I’m Sheila Hughes. Computer Science, third year."

Yates Sanders also hurried to introduce himself. "Yates Sanders, Math, third year. I’ve heard of you."

Lee Warner, who had been so critical of Cecilia before she arrived, was completely dumbstruck. Gazing at her up close, he felt as if his very soul had left his body. He only snapped back to reality after Yates finished speaking. "I-I’m Lee Warner. Math, third year. H-hello."

He finished with a dopey, star-struck grin. ’Yates wasn’t kidding,’ he thought. ’She’s even prettier than a movie star.’

Although Cecilia had an aloof air about her, she responded to each person with a smile. Finally, her gaze instinctively landed on Elias Warner.

’I guess it’s his turn now, and I’ll go last.’

Elias, however, was thinking, ’Is there anyone at Lorcain Tech who doesn’t recognize me? I’m the student council vice president. Cecilia Sterling should be greeting me first.’

But Cecilia Sterling didn’t recognize him.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.

It was only then that Elias realized Cecilia might genuinely not recognize him. His expression darkened, and he spoke, a little awkwardly, "I’m Elias Warner. Math, third year."

Seeing that he hadn’t mentioned his title, Lee Warner quickly and pointedly added, "Elias is the vice president of our student council here at Lorcain Tech. He’s also competed in a lot of Math Olympiads and won plenty of awards. We were just listening to him share his experience."

Elias tilted his chin up slightly, a hint of arrogance in his expression.

Cecilia, however, didn’t spare him a second glance. She went straight into her own introduction. "Cecilia Sterling. Astronomy, third year. I look forward to working with you all."

With that, she walked directly to a seat by the wall on the right-hand side, separated from the rest of the group by an aisle. She clearly had no intention of joining them for Elias’s "lecture."

Sheila Hughes awkwardly adjusted her glasses.

Lee Warner and Yates Sanders exchanged a look.

Elias stared at Cecilia for a few seconds before finally saying, "Everyone, let’s just take our seats. The professor should be here soon."