Chapter 26

Lily Green curled her lips in a mocking smile after hearing Lucy White's suggestion. This woman must be afraid no one will choose her, she thought.

"Drawing lots is so boring," Lily said, tossing her hair. "Mutual selection is much more exciting."

She turned to the others with expectant eyes. "What do you think, everyone?"

Ethan Smith tapped the table lightly with his long fingers, his voice cool. "I support Lucy. All forty trainees are outstanding. Forcing us to pick just five would be unfair."

His gaze swept over Lily, carrying a silent warning.

Lily's heart tightened. Ethan is actually defending Lucy?

Unwilling to back down, she turned to Michael Johnson. "Michael, what's your opinion?"

A sudden thought flashed through Michael's mind: I should side with Lily. But when his eyes landed on Lucy's indifferent profile, an inexplicable pang shot through his chest.

"Let's draw lots," he heard himself say. "It's the fairest way."

Lily's eyes widened. Even Michael is taking Lucy's side?

She didn't notice the wisp of white mist dissipating from her body.

"If both of you insist..." She forced a smile. "Then we'll do it your way."

Robert Lee and the others exchanged displeased glances. This woman didn't even ask for our input?

Lucy spoke up at just the right moment. "Do any of you have suggestions? My idea might not be the best."

Daniel Miller immediately chimed in. "Drawing lots sounds great—let fate decide!"

Robert and the rest nodded in agreement, their eyes warming toward Lucy.

Only then did Lily realize—Lucy just outmaneuvered me!

The live comments exploded:

[Lily's so self-centered]

[The favoritism is obvious]

[Lucy has way better emotional intelligence]

Seeing the tension, the director quickly mediated. "Then it's settled. First, we'll draw numbers for order, then mentors."

As the drawing began, Lucy subtly flicked her fingers. The most troublesome trainee inexplicably pulled Lily's name.

His face stiffened, then relaxed. At least it's not Lucy.

Lucy didn't interfere with the rest of the draws.

Some connections were better left to fate.