Chapter 157

Penelope flashed a triumphant smile. "Grandmother, this is merely the start. My achievements will reach far greater heights."

Margaret beamed with pride, her wrinkled face glowing. She'd always known her granddaughter was extraordinary, destined to bring prestige to the Whitmore name.

Frederick and Cassandra exchanged pleased glances. Their daughter's success meant better marriage prospects among elite families.

Then Margaret spotted Harrison lingering in the background. Her expression darkened. "Harrison! Who permitted you to attend?"

The family had been so absorbed in their celebration they'd failed to notice his arrival.

Penelope gave Harrison a dismissive glance. "I invited him, Grandmother. He wanted to bask in my success. Let him stay."

Margaret's lips thinned. Both Penelope and Isabella had brought honor to the family, while Harrison only brought disgrace. In her eyes, he never truly belonged.

Reluctantly yielding to Penelope's request, Margaret snapped, "Stay out of the way, Harrison. Don't touch anything. If anything gets damaged, you'll pay for it!"

Though Margaret was his grandmother, Harrison felt an icy stab of rejection. He remained silent, offering only a faint, resigned smile.

"Penelope!" A group of Willowridge University students approached eagerly. They were ardent admirers who'd sought her autograph just yesterday.

"What brings you all here?" Penelope asked, delighted by their attention.

The students swarmed around her, inadvertently pushing Harrison into a corner.

"Your research paper's public exhibition is today! We came to celebrate your achievement."

"Penelope, you make Willowridge proud!"

"Let's get a photo!"

Everyone clustered around the display of Penelope's paper. She positioned herself center stage, with Margaret, Frederick, and Cassandra on her left, classmates on her right.

Penelope thrust a camera at Harrison. "Take our picture!" This moment of glory demanded documentation.

Harrison examined the camera, then shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

Penelope froze. "Why not?"

At that moment, a National Medical Gallery staff member approached. "Excuse me, we need to remove this display."

Penelope stiffened. "Remove my paper? Why?"

Margaret and Frederick looked stunned. "There must be some mistake!"

"No mistake," the staff member clarified. "Dr. Sinclair identified significant errors. We're withdrawing the paper immediately."

With that, they dismantled the exhibit.

Penelope stood paralyzed, her breath shallow.

Whispers erupted among her classmates. "Dr. Sinclair found flaws in Penelope's work!"

"The National Medical Gallery rejected her paper!"

"This is humiliating - everyone will know!"

The students mumbled awkward farewells before hastily departing.

Margaret gripped Penelope's arm. "Explain this!"

All traces of confidence had vanished from Penelope's face, replaced by sheer panic. Her flawed paper had been publicly denounced by the renowned Dr. Sinclair. Soon all of Willowridge would know.

What should have been her crowning achievement had become a spectacular disgrace.