Chapter 95

"Let's meet at the entrance of Kingsley University?"

Evelyn suddenly remembered she shouldn't be making public appearances these days.

"Where are you? I'll arrange a car to pick you up."

An hour later, reporters still swarmed Sterling Enterprises' headquarters, hoping to catch Evelyn's appearance for more sensational footage.

Just then, a sleek black sedan pulled up. Three bright-eyed teenagers stepped out.

Sharp-eyed journalists immediately recognized the girl leading them - this year's SAT top scorer from Pamore, Clara Bennett.

The two boys following her were equally impressive -

Owen Carter, who aced the science division, and Ryan Foster, recipient of the National Writing Award.

All three bore faint surgical scars on their upper lips - remnants of cleft palate surgeries from their childhood.

With SAT results freshly released in June, these academic achievers became instant media darlings alongside celebrity gossip.

Cameras and microphones instantly surrounded Clara and her companions.

"Congratulations Clara, Owen, and Ryan on your stellar achievements and admission to Kingsley University!"

Typically, children with facial differences might shy away from cameras. But these three stood tall, smiling confidently as they responded, "Thank you."

"You've all risen from the most impoverished mountain regions to attend our nation's most prestigious university. Could you share your secret to success?"

"We had an angel named Calico."

"She funded our education and arranged life-changing surgeries for hundreds of cleft palate children in our hometown."

"She's been our guiding star."

Though reporters thrived on sensational celebrity scandals, they maintained professional decorum when interviewing the country's brightest young minds.

Their research had revealed these students' heartbreaking backgrounds - orphaned children from remote mountain villages where poor prenatal care led to high rates of birth defects.

Then Calico appeared, funding corrective surgeries for nearly a thousand affected children and sponsoring their education to escape poverty.

"Could you tell us who Calico is? We'd love to interview her."

Journalists worldwide had been searching for this mysterious benefactor.

Clara and her friends shook their heads. "We've never met her. Our communication was only through text messages. But today, we're finally meeting her in person."

At that moment, their escort led them into Sterling Enterprises' towering headquarters.

The reporters gasped collectively.

"Does this mean Calico works at Sterling Enterprises?"

"Of course! Such a generous soul must be a high-ranking executive."

"That makes perfect sense. We can't leave now."

"Absolutely! We must wait for these students to come out!"

Inside the building, Clara's group followed the suited man to the penthouse.

When they saw Evelyn, all three froze in shock.

Seeing their stunned expressions, Evelyn rose gracefully, opening her arms. "Hello darlings, I'm Evelyn Carter. It's wonderful to finally meet you."

"You're Calico!"

Owen was first to recover. The realization that their anonymous benefactor was this elegant, poised woman left him breathless.

"She's even more beautiful than I imagined," Clara whispered in awe.

"Exactly like the angel in my dreams," Ryan beamed.

Though hesitant at first, the teenagers melted when Evelyn embraced them warmly. "You've made me so incredibly proud!"

Her words unlocked a floodgate of emotions. Remembering their struggles to keep their promise, tears spilled freely.

"We did it, Evelyn."

"Those exams were brutal, but your messages kept me going."

"Thank you...for everything."

Evelyn gently patted their heads. "I knew you could do it. You're all extraordinary."

Suddenly, Clara's expression darkened. "Evelyn...are you really that person everyone's criticizing online?"