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?"

her studies, so how did she not even get a third

Katniss and Maximilian stirring up trouble. Clara, wait here. I'm gonna talk to your leaders. This

mess with Clara! "Mom, forget it. It's my fault for not studying hard enough. If we go to the leaders and they say

comfort her, forgetting about going

said with concern, "Clara, don't cry. If you wanna study abroad,

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

of the school while listening

didn't even get a third

there was no

likely given to Ruby by Clara, they had

Clara too many times before, Katniss knew catching her slipping up wouldn't be a walk

her distance from Clara and the Manners

her

her eyes sparkling, "Maximilian, Felix, thanks a ton

bug Wesley and the others, so she

Felix was down right away, and even more surprising, Maximilian tagged along

hadn't shown up, she might've had to put up with the bullying and figure out how to

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

in her eyes today;

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

"No hassle at all."

before Felix

just call

Katniss was taken aback.

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

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