The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 549

Hearing Victor's denial, Jade lets out a quiet breath of relief and immediately breaks into a sneer. She knew it. There is absolutely no way a worthless girl like Tara could secure someone of Victor's caliber as a mentor. Even Charles, with all his corporate wealth, couldn't buy that kind of connection.

Bonnie mirrors her sentiment, her fragile ego repairing itself. Tara could never compete with Julianna, Bonnie thinks smugly. They aren't even in the same league.

Even Julianna, who prides herself on maintaining a stoic facade, visibly relaxes her tense shoulders.

"Oh, I see!" someone in the crowd chuckles awkwardly. "I thought you were master and apprentice. My mistake!"

"I knew it," another guest whispers to their neighbor. "It's pure fantasy to think Tara could study under Mr. Yates."

"She probably wishes she was, but Mr. Yates would never lower his standards for her," another adds.

Emboldened by Victor's denial, the opportunistic guests aligned with the Sinclair family and Professor Howard quickly resume their petty gossip.

But Victor just smiles placidly and drops a bombshell that shatters the room. "Tara's mentor is Mr. Reeves. I couldn't possibly compete with him." He sighs dramatically, a look of genuine regret crossing his face. "Believe me, I would love nothing more than to take her under my wing, but that old man beat me to it."

The casual statement carries the concussive force of an explosive.

"No wonder she's such a genius at pharmaceutical research! She was trained by the absolute best!"

"Her future is limitless. We were entirely blind..."

In the blink of an eye, the crowd pivots. The same people who sneered at Tara now trip over themselves to shower her with effusive praise, their blatant hypocrisy on full display.

Watching the entire hall worship the girl she hates, Jade grinds her teeth. A suffocating wave of despair and jealousy washes over her, twisting her stomach into sickening knots.