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?"

studies, so how did she not even

stirring up trouble. Clara, wait here. I'm gonna talk to your leaders. This is so

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.

chased after her, trying to comfort her, forgetting about going to the

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

the judges' table instead. Not far away, Katniss heard the loudspeaker announce Juniper as the

the school while

even get a

knowing there was no surveillance or concrete evidence, Katniss didn't push the matter further. Because even if she

was likely given to Ruby by Clara, they

times before, Katniss knew catching her slipping up wouldn't be a

keep her distance from Clara and the

of her life, she had

sparkling, "Maximilian, Felix, thanks

and the others,

right away, and

she might've had to put up with the bullying and figure out how to report it

only do this 'cause you got no one to back you up. Are your mom and brother even

felt like she had sand in her eyes today; why else did she keep

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

"No hassle at all."

before

time, just call me

Katniss was taken aback.

Maximilian's grandpa at his place, she felt like Maximilian had been

she visited, Felix would say Maximilian was busy or not home, and sometimes she