?


    Klein nodded and reached into his pocket, pulling out an invitation card he''d prepared earlier. He then extended it with both hands. "Professor Zeller, here''s the invitation to next year''s international Medical Competition."


    Yvette raised an eyebrow and nced casually at the invitation card on the table. The white orchid was unmistakable-it was the symbol of the International Medical Competition.


    Klein noticed Yvette was silent, so he sat up straighter. "Professor Zeller, as you know, the International Medical Competition is held every two years and is the absolute authority in our medical fieldTM


    After a pause, he added. "Although I''m now in charge of Xander Group, my passion doesn''t lie in business. Thepany can be my support, but it''s definitely not my dream."


    Klein''s lifelong dream had been to make a name for himself in the medical field. So, he was not going to abandon his profession for Xander Group.


    Yvette sat in her chair, her feet crossed, gazing at him distantly. Her defined features were marked by a cool indifference. She nonchntly replied, "So


    Klein stood up, straightened his tie, and bowed formally to Yvette. "I''d like to formally invite you to join me in the International Medical Competition. I also hope you''ll consider teaming up." he said solemnly.


    "Next year, the first two rounds require teams of at least two, and I sincerely hope you''ll join me. I assure you, I won''t hold you back," added Klein. Klein knew the chances of Yvette epting were slim, but he had to try. As a medical professional, she must have her own ambitions. Thispetition, the most authoritative in the medical industry, would undoubtedly be attractive to her, he thought.


    Meanwhile, Klein had braced himself for Yvette''s potential refusal. He would count himself fortunate if Yvette agreed, but he had also prepared himself for a negative answer.


    Klein grew even more nervous as soon as he finished speaking. Yvette''s gaze intensified his anxiety, making it hard for him to stay calm, even though he was prepared.


    Yvette raised a brow and nced wickedly at him, a yful smile on her lips. Tapping her phone with her defined fingers. she nonchntly replied, "I won''t be participating."


    Klein expected her refusal, but the disappointment was still palpable. He had no right to force her to do something she didn''t want, especially since participating was his desire in the first ce.


    Klein nodded, trying to hide how disappointed he was. ''I understand, Professor Zeller. I''ll find another partner."


    Yvette got up. The attendant packed up the dessert and handed it to her. She nced at Klein, who was standing there, trying hard to hide his disappointment.


    She raised her beautiful, defined brows and half-lidded eyes. Thinking of the desserts before her, she nonchntly said, "See you in the finals of next year''s medicalpetition."


    Yvette grabbed the dessert and left the shop without a word, her departing figure exuding coldness.


    Klein stood still, lost in thought. ''What does Yvette mean by the finals? And by "see you there"? Has she already found a partner? Is that why she rejected my invitation? he wondered.


    Klein wasn''t sure if he could make it to the finals. The event brought together the world''s top medical talents. Thepetition for the top three spots was undoubtedly fierce. Hecked the confidence to make it into the top three, but he was determined.


    1/3


    9×90%


    Stepping out of the dessert shop, Yvette got into the car. She adjusted her hair and put on a baseball cap, revealing only half of her exquisite and defined face, her tanned skin glowing.


    She ced the dessert in the passenger seat. The long-dormant poisonous insect king emerged from the bag, impatient to gorge on food. Its beady little eyes were fixed on the sweet treat


    Yvette took out her ck phone, nced at it, and then returned the missed call she had just received. A calm female voice answered after the call was connected.


    Yvette, you finally called back! The rules for next year''s medicalpetition are already up on the website. You have to be a judge this time. You refused the position before, and I can''t really say much else if you decline again," said the woman.


    "Mr. Walson is going to teach in Clusia for a year and can''t judge this round. If you decline, I will, as you say in Clusian, get a rope and strangle myself, added the woman after a pause.


    Yvette held the phone a little further from her ear, her eyes lowered. Her green eyes were calm and deep as she slowly said, "Yes, I''ll participate next year.


    The woman on the other end had been about to deliver a lengthy speech, trying to persuade Yvette to be a judge in the next medicalpetition. But after hearing Yvette''s reply, she abruptly stopped.


    She could hardly believe that Yvette had agreed so easily. The woman on the other end of the line was so stunned that she could barely catch her breath.


    Yvette hummedzily. The woman on the phone eximed, "Oh my God, you finally agreed! Dearest Yvette, you''re the best. There will be three chief judges and two deputy judges, and you absolutely have to be the chief judge="


    Yvette interrupted the woman''s excited speech, saying, "No. Being a deputy judge is good enough."


    The women paused for a moment, then happily epted. After all, who cared about the positions? The important thing was that she''d agreed toN?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    come.


    Yvette ended the call and slipped her phone into her pocket. Adjusting her cap, shezily nced at the passenger seat.


    The poisonous insect king had almost finished a dessert, its belly now round and full. Yvette''s gaze drifted to the insect''s small, beady eyes.


    The poisonous insect king had been fully engrossed in and happily munching away at its dessert when it suddenly felt something was off. It turned around and happened to meet Yvette''s gaze.


    The poisonous insect king froze, like a deer caught in headlights wondering if it was toote to y dead now. While blinking, the poisonous insect king quickly flew toward Yvette, aiming tond in her palm to y coy.


    Halfway there, the poisonous insect king paused, pping its wings. Spotting Yvette''s darkening gaze, it wisely turned around and awkwardly flew back to the passenger seat, standing at attention.


    Yvette''s voice was cold as she stepped on the gas. "Clean yourself up? she hissed.


    As if sensing her intent, the poisonous insect king began to p its wings vigorously, cleaning itself inch by inch


    Yvette floored the elerator, but she still adhered to the traffic rules, only driving at the highest speed limit. She only let loose on the final stretch of suburban road.


    It normally took an hour to drive from the city to the mansion, but Yvette made it in under thirty minutes. She''d cut her travel time in half.


    Pulling up to the mansion, Yvette hopped out of her car. The poisonous insect king flew out in a flurry of activity andnded right on her shoulder.


    2/3


    1.


    Frankie came out of the mansion just as Yvette arrived. "Yvette, you''re back!"


    Yvette nodded slightly, humming in response. She then tossed the car keys to Frankie casually. "Park it in the garage."


    Frankie took the keys with a cheerful smile. "All right, Yvette. However, this car doesn''t seem to be ours."


    With her hands in her pockets, Yvette casually replied, "Oh, I happened to be passing by the dealership, so I just bought one.