84.62 % Chapter 23 Chloe hadn't expected the competition to be held in Crestwood . After the incident at the school lab , almost everyone in her college , including Julian , knew she was the ex - wife of the heir to a prominent medical industry family in the US . People's attitudes towards her changed . Some distanced themselves , afraid of getting involved in trouble . Others drew closer , hoping to gain some advantage . But Julian remained the same . They never discussed the topic and continued their interactions as before . Chloe knew Julian had feelings for her , but since he never confessed , she pretended not to notice , maintaining their friendship . For this return to Crestwood , Julian had offered to accompany her , but she refused . Chloe wanted to reclaim what she had lost in the past , on her own . Her parents , family , and friends were still in Crestwood . She couldn't stop returning home just because she was divorced from Liam . The competition spanned two days : theoretical exams on the first day , practical lab work on the second . The day before the competition , the director of Crestwood First Hospital contacted her privately , exchanged pleasantries , and invited her to dinner . After some thought , Chloe agreed . To her surprise , almost every notable figure in the city's medical field was there , not just the hospital director . During the dinner , no one gave her a hard time or paid her excessive attention . All the experts were engaged in a discussion around a specific medical topic , from theory to practice , with each professor sharing their insights . It wasn't until the day of the competition , when Chloe saw the exam topic , that she understood why . The theme of this competition was the exact topic the professors had discussed the night before- laryngeal tumors . They had deliberately leaked the topic to her . Chloe fell silent for a moment , naturally guessing the reason - Liam Walker . Chapter 23 Download 88.46 % He was that kind of person . If he wanted something , he would inevitably find a way to get it . She turned in a blank exam paper . The following day , during the practical segment , her performance was a masterclass in willful incompetence . She fumbled with the instruments , ignored standard protocols , and turned a deaf ear to the pointed hints from the observing medics . She wasn't just failing ; she was staging a protest . After leaving the hospital , Chloe bought a ticket back to the UK . Everything here felt utterly meaningless to her . Just before boarding the plane , she received a call from the event organizers . " Ms. Thompson , congratulations on winning the gold medal in this competition . " " We regret that you left early and could not attend the award ceremony . We will mail the medal , certificate , and corresponding prize money to your address in the UK . " Chloe could only laugh wryly in disbelief . So this was what it felt like to be placed on a pedestal . She calmly replied , " That won't be necessary , " and hurriedly boarded her flight . For those dozen or so hours , the whole thing felt like a bizarre farce to Chloe . It wasn't until she landed back at her school and got a call from Julian that things shifted . " Chloe , remember Isabella Rossi ? " " The one who took your thesis results ? She also participated in this forum competition . " " I just got news that she filed a complaint with the forum organizers , accusing you of using improper means to win the award . She even posted your exam paper and practical video online . " " Chloe , be honest with me , what really happened ? I know your capabilities . There's no way you'd perform so poorly on a simple laryngeal tumor procedure . " Chapter 23