Up on the viewing platform, Derek frowned. "What's going on with Mr. Lloyd? Why hasn't he started yet?"

Chantelle, sitting beside him, grew anxious. "I don't know. Could it be that he's completely stumped?"

Derek hesitated."I'm not sure… but it shouldn't be. After all, this is just the sixth round."

Preston and Clifford, the two elders from the Advanced Medical Institute, burst into mocking laughter. "Mr. McCormick, the young man you've put your faith in doesn't seem to be holding up very well! Look at him, standing there like a statue. It's like he's just waiting for the clock to run out so he can throw in the towel!"

Derek and Chantelle's faces instantly darkened.

Meanwhile, Aspen and Lauren clutched each other's hands tightly, their anxiety plain to

"Aspen, do you think Andrew has hit a roadblock he can't get past?"

Aspen's voice was firm, though her heart raced. "I don't know, Lauren, but we have to believe in him. No matter what, I don't think he'd fall here."

D