Chapter 92: The Ultimate Showdown

Instantly, the other students chimed in with roaring agreement: "Yeah, it’s not a waste of time at all! Let Julian take the test right now! We want to witness with our own eyes whether Julian actually possesses genuine talent and ability!"

If Julian actually proved his grades were real, the arrogant academic director would be forced to resign and quit Capital University. Conversely, if Julian bombed the exam, Julian would be expelled. Either way, this was the greatest, most thrilling live drama Capital University had ever hosted!

They weren’t about to miss this golden opportunity to watch the show unfold in real time.

Deputy Director Abraham hesitated. "Well... in that case, you can head back to your dormitory first, and we’ll notify you once the grading committee evaluates your spontaneous test."

"No need to wait! Please, let’s do it right now!" the students shouted eagerly. "We will stay right here and watch Julian take the exam on the spot!"

Deputy Director frowned deeply. Don’t these students always constantly complain that their departmental assemblies and meetings run way too long? Now suddenly they want to sit through a multi-hour examination session?

Taking five full subjects on the spot would take at least several hours to complete.

"President Sterling, what methods do you believe should be utilized to properly test Julian Vance’s innocence?" Principal Smith asked, turning respectfully to seek Victoria’s ultimate opinion.

The principal’s excessively deferential attitude toward Victoria caused Devid Tylor to frown deeply from the back rows. Who on earth is this stunning woman? How is she capable of commanding such absolute reverence and obedience from the normally severe and unyielding university president?

"Let’s do precisely as Julian suggested," Victoria said softly, a captivating smile blooming across her crimson lips. "Let him take the exam right here."

Since her Julian had explicitly declared his desire to take the test, she would give him the stage to shine and crush all his doubters.

"Very well, President Sterling. Then I will personally escort you to tour other areas of the campus while the exam is being administered," Principal Smith offered politely.

Victoria shook her head smoothly. "No need. We will stay right here and wait for the exam results to be finalized."

Principal Smith frowned slightly, a bit perplexed. "But... these five rigorous finance subjects will take an extended period of time to write and evaluate."

"It’s quite alright. I have all the time in the world," Victoria replied calmly, her dark eyes fixed entirely on Julian.

"Understood."

Principal Smith nodded in compliance. However, a strange, creeping realization suddenly bloomed within his heart.

Is President Sterling planning to stay here for hours just to watch this student drama unfold?

That made zero sense. President Sterling was renowned as a ruthless, hyper-efficient corporate titan who treated every second as pure gold—she certainly did not strike him as the type of person who enjoyed idle campus gossip.

Or could it be...?

The principal’s gaze drifted slowly back toward Julian Vance.

Julian was undeniably, breathtakingly handsome, radiating an extraordinary, refined aura.

Could President Sterling actually be here specifically for Julian Vance?!

Realization dawning on him, Principal Smith cleared his throat loudly and announced to the crowded lecture hall:

"Very well, since all parties are in agreement, let us proceed with the on-the-spot examination! My official proposal is this: let the lead professors of each of the five core subjects draft eight brand-new questions on the spot for Julian to answer—specifically, five complex fill-in-the-blank problems and three advanced subjective essay questions per subject. To successfully pass and prove his legitimacy, Julian must achieve a cumulative score of at least 480 points across all subjects. The total time limit will be strictly set to five hours!"

Julian nodded without a shred of hesitation. "No problem at all."

"I have no objections to those terms either," the Head of Academic Affairs sneered coldly, confident that no human being could spontaneously ace a randomized expert exam in five hours.

Sitting nearby, Leo Vance frowned deeply.

Julian had agreed to those brutal, impossible terms with absolute ease. Could it possibly be that Julian actually possessed some terrifying, hidden trump card up his sleeve?

No... that’s statistically impossible.

Leo shook his head vigorously, dismissing the thought. With hundreds of pairs of eyes staring directly at him, and the department professors personally generating brand-new questions on the spot, how on earth could Julian possibly find a way to cheat?!

This time around, I will personally participate in setting the test questions as well," the Head of Academic Affairs Lock announced, casting a cold, malicious glare toward Julian Vance.

"Julian, if you’re smart enough to confess your academic fraud right now, our university administration might still show some leniency and reduce your disciplinary punishment."

Julian grew visibly impatient, letting out a sharp sigh. "You talk way too much nonsense."

Aren’t you trying to investigate my so-called cheating? Then hurry up and start the test. Stop babbling like an old crow. There’s an old saying: villains always die from talking too much. Director Lock, you wouldn’t want to play the part of that talkative villain, would you?"

"You—!!!"

The Head of Academic Affairs turned the color of ash, his face twisting with rage at Julian’s biting remark. Ever since he had climbed the ranks from deputy director to Head of Academic Affairs over the years, not a single student had ever dared to speak to him with such utter disrespect.

"Julian Vance! Since you insist on refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit, fine! I will happily grant your suicidal wish today!"

Standing off to the side, a cold, dangerous glint flashed deep within Victoria Sterling’s dark eyes. This academic director actually dared to speak to my Julian like that... simply expelling him from the university is far too light of a punishment.

She mentally resolved to dispatch a few private security operatives to teach this arrogant director an unforgettable lesson later. He was clearly tired of living, having crossed lines no one dared touch, unaware of the impending consequences.