Chapter20: Daddy’s Bad, Uncle Damon’s Good
Professor Sterling’s students crowded around, many with amused expressions.
The student with glasses began to mock Evelyn’s formulas.But as he scanned them, his words died in his throat.
“She… she proved it!!“Her proof was simpler and more elegant than his; he wished he’d thought of that approach.
Another student snatched the paper; everyone leaned in, staring at her work.Not only was she
st, but her solutions were correct!
Their expressions changed.
‘Sen… Senior, you’re incredibly fast!”
“I worked on this for two days, and I didn’t solve as many problems as you did in an hour.”
They were astonished. Evelyn said, “It’s a math competition; you have to work within the time limit.”
“Nobody’s that fast!”
Evelyn had always been the first to finish in math competitions.Professor Sterling deeply regretted her wasted talent..
“Senior, you only have a bachelor’s degree?”
“I’ve competed before. I have experience.” They assumed she was a professional competitor.
“Senior, can you explain your thought process?”
Lily looked up and saw Evelyn explaining
solution
the students.
“Wow!” she gasped, her eyes wide.Evelyn usually spoke softly while tutoring her and Tommy. This was different.Her mother could shine, command attention, and earn the respect of adults;
The students applauded.Lily clapped too, though she didn’t understand what was happening. “Mommy’s amazing! Right, Uncle Damon?”
Lily turned to see Damon looking at Evelyn with intense admiration.She was surprised.While Damon was handsome, her father was the most handsome man in the world. But she’d never seen her father look at her mother with such intensity.
Damon looked down at Lily.
“I know your mother is amazing.”
Lily beamed.“Great! Another person who knows Mommy’s amazing! Tommy always thinks Aunt Sav is the best, but I know Mommy is a thousand, ten thousand times better!”
Damon’s lips curved into a warm smile.“She’s a pearl, just covered in dust, mistaken for a common bead.” Only she could remove the dust.
“Senior, you must be entering next month’s ALI Math Competition, right?”
Evelyn was taken aback.“Is it still open for registration?”
“Yes… today’s the last day.”
Evelyn quickly checked the ALI Math Competition website; it allowed social participants and
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didn’t specify degree requirements.She submitted her application just before the deadline. The ALI competition was prestigious.A good placement would make finding a job much easier. “We thought you’d already registered,” a student said.
Evelyn felt embarrassed.“I haven’t competed in seven years. “Her past continued to surprise them. The student with glasses sneered.
“We’re looking forward to competing with you!”
“It’ll be funny if you’re at the bottom,” he mocked. “The competition is open to everyone, so many people submit blank papers. are public. Be prepared.”
The results
Evelyn smiled.“If I rank higher than you, you have to wear a shirt saying ‘I ranked x places below Evelyn Reed in the ALI competition‘ for a week. Deal? This was ultimate humiliation for elite students.
The student with glasses was challenged.“Okay!If you rank below 200, you’re not allowed to study with us at Professor Sterling’s again!”
“Vivian, she solved three problems in an hour…“Another student tried to dissuade him.
Solving problems is nothing. The competition requires LaTeX answers. Did she learn that in college?*
The students calmed him down. He sat down, muttering, “A housewife entering a math competition is a waste of resources!”
Evelyn focused on the test, unfazed by their disdain.She knew this path was difficult, but she’d reached the summit before.She was simply returning!
She didn’t notice time passing After solving a difficul accomplishment.Looking up, she saw Damon ca.
As she got up, he mouthed, “I’ll take her in.”
lem, she felt a profound sense of picking up the sleeping Lily.
Evelyn watched him enter Professor Sterling’s room.Professor Sterling had already gotten up the douldn’t stay in bed. Damon gently placed Lily on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
Seeing Lily sleeping soundly, Professor Sterling’s intended scolding turned into a sarcastic
comment.
“You’re really attentive to her. Why are you so eager to be a father figure?”
Damon whispered in Lily’s ear:
‘Daddy’s bad, Uncle Damon’s good! Daddy’s bad, Uncle Damon’s good!”
Professor Sterling’s temples throbbed. He raised his cane.
“Shhh!” Damon quickly reminded him.
“I should be quiet? Look at this mess!”
mess!” Professor Sterling felt humiliated.
Damon said, “If anyone hears, how will I flirt with her?”
Professor Sterling rolled his eyes.
At 9
- pm.
the students left. Evelyn told Professor Sterling about the ALI competition. He glanced at Damon. His voice was stiff.
“Come here to work on problems these few days. You’re my student, don’t embarrass me!”
Chapter20 Daddys Bad, Uncle Damon
Joy shone in Evelyn’s eyes.
“Thank you, Professor.” She bowed deeply.
After she left, Professor Sterling examined her paper, sighing deeply, tears welling up.
Damon carried Lily as they left.
‘I’ll take you home.”
Evelyn declined. “My brother will pick us up.”
Damon was surprised to see a military green SUV arrive.A rugged, handsome man was behind
wheel. Damon’s eyes turned cold; it
turned cold; it was Lance,
was Lance, Evelyn’s adoptive brother.