After her rebirth by Cici

Chapter 51

Clara's eyes lit up, and she tugged on Elodie's sleeve, "Mom, I wanna study abroad too."

Just as she said that, the host on stage called out the first-prize winner.

It was Juniper.

Juniper kept her cool, cracking a joke on the fly to lighten the mood. Plus, her speech game was on point.

The crowd went wild with applause. Juniper stood up, grinning, and the middle-aged guy next to her, who looked a lot like her, was beaming with pride. Clara felt a wave of disappointment, but a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

Where was Katniss? Was she still with Maximilian?

She had seen Maximilian before. Wasn't he supposed to be all cold and distant? Why was he always helping Katniss?

It had to be him who got Ruby expelled today.

Clara bit her lip. If someone as powerful as him was on her side, she would've snagged that first prize for sure.

The host kept announcing winners, but even after the third prize, Clara's name was still missing.

Elodie's face turned dark.

Putting aside everything else, just for this speech gig, Simon ended up in the police station, and Lucas shelled out a whole thirty grand.

The Manners family had given up so much, and Clara didn't even get a third prize. It was a total waste!

Clara snapped back to reality, her eyes welling up, "How could this happen! Mom, does this mean I won't get to study abroad?"

usually aced her studies, so how did she not even get a

wait here. I'm gonna talk to your leaders.

it, the more convinced she was. Katniss must've been jealous and caused trouble. Why else would she suddenly change her mind about giving Clara the slot? It was just to mess with Clara! "Mom, forget it. It's my fault

trying to comfort her, forgetting

with concern, "Clara, don't cry. If you wanna study abroad, I'll pay to

them run off, Simon hesitated for a moment, then headed towards the judges' table instead. Not far away, Katniss heard the loudspeaker announce Juniper as the first-prize winner

the school while listening

get a third prize

shady before the competition, causing her to underperform. Earlier in the office, knowing there was

laxative that was likely given to Ruby by Clara, they had no evidence

been burned by Clara too many times before, Katniss knew catching her slipping up

to keep her distance from Clara and

in this new chapter of her life, she had new

sparkling, "Maximilian, Felix,

didn't wanna bug Wesley and the

away, and

might've had to put up with the bullying and figure out

fuming from what he saw in the office earlier, said, "Katniss, how can your school's leaders let this slide, letting someone bully you! They only do this 'cause you got no one to back you up. Are your mom and brother even your real family? Good thing we got here in time. Next time something like this

in her eyes today; why else did she keep wanting to

sore, but she managed a slight smile, "Thanks, Felix. Sorry

"No hassle at all."

cut in before

time, just

Katniss was taken aback.

at his place, she felt like

say Maximilian was busy or not