Chapter 29

Lucille had always had high hopes for Leila, one of the top five students in her class. With the SATS around the corner, she was counting on Leila to ace the tests and bolster the school’s academic reputation.

But when the likes of Yates and his crew showed up, Lucille instantly lost her nerve and clammed up. daring to utter another word.

not

Latham, on the other hand, furrowed his brow and confronted them, “Yates, what are you doing here instead of being in class?”

Yates, arms crossed and with an impatient glance at Merry, responded, “Heard someone’s been bad–mouthing our Flame Union. Just wanted to see who’s got the guts.”

His gaze shifted to Leila, who shivered the moment their eyes met.

She was confused. Wasn’t it rumored that Cordelia had taken over as the head honcho of Flame Union? Yates should be holding a grudge, so why was he sticking up for Merry?

As Yates‘ gaze unintentionally brushed past Cordelia, he fixed his eyes on Lucille, “Since Leila is fessed up, how do you plan on punishing her?”

Before Lucille could respond, Paulina stepped forward, “This little mix–up? Let’s just settle it with ten times the dues for the class fund.”

Yates, however, tilted his chin up slightly. “Theft and slander are two offenses… Hmm, by the school’s code of conduct, that’s grounds for major disciplinary action. Don’t worry, Ms. Lucille, I’ll take it up with the vice principal.”

Every high school has its rules. No dyed hair, for instance. But Yates and his Flame Union seemed to strut around Greenmeadow International School with impunity, mainly because one of the school’s trustees was none other than Hackett, his grandpa!

After laying down the law, Yates stepped aside, “Lia, shall we?”

Cordelia, who had been the sole eyewitness, had spent the entire period in the office, missing her class. “Oh, right,” she muttered, leading Merry towards the door.

As they were about to leave, Paulina shouted desperately, “Merry, how could you ruin Leila like this? How can you be so selfish and cruel?”

Merry closed her eyes in pain at the accusation.

Just then, a voice tinged with confusion cut through the tension, “But… didn’t she bring this upon herself? Why are we saying Merry’s the one who ruined her?” asked Cordelia.

at a loss

entire office turned to look at Cordelia, whose distant eyes seemed to be searching for an answer from

Cordelia turned and

administration building and towards the academic wing. Cordelia walked ahead, with Yates, his chin

finally checked her phone for a message

asked, “Lia, you

earlier. It began with Everard’s voice saying. “My dear girlfriend, you can talk now,” followed by

stopped in her tracks, puzzled.

the message, was equally

after getting the full story from Merry, Inquired, “Lia,

lazily replied, “Little Parrot touched the envelope.”

No. 1 was

Little

would

it

scratching his head. He then looked at Cordelia and asked,

glanced at his hair and felt a twinge of guilt, “…I don’t think

message to Louie, “Yeah, it’s a special case. I’ll explain later. Got a

black profile picture, but she dismissed it and

Everard chuckled softly at the ‘Request Denied‘ notification, causing Calvert, who was gaming nearby, to edge away from

for the advanced math class. Well,

in a heated exchange. Paulina, eyes red, was trying to stuff

head, pushed the card back to Paulina, and ran off

found it even

seat and tuned out Juliana’s concerns about her upcoming Galaxy Math Whiz competition, focusing instead

“Yeah, the Math and Physics Clubs are swamped with homework already. She’s burning the

looked baffled, “Seriously? One competition is already a full–time commitment.

shrugged, “Who knows what she’s thinking.”

at each

anonymous post went viral. “Did someone get too big for their boots after acing one test and signing up

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