Chapter 20

The bambood cradled Nomaner how many times Selena afreshed the page nothing would load Frostration enewed at

it as she debated whether to swallow her pride and check the lesin hund for the wors

heard

Just then. Annie and Noelle walked throunds the door, holding hands, looking unerly tuned as they whimpered to each other

“What are you two talking about Selena got up with a mile Who go first place this time I was about to check the form but it crashed Dot tell me the class president took the top sport

Noelle hesitated, her expression unreadable

Annie, however, blurted it out without danking Selena, can you believe it! The top scorer is your ter There’s no way that’s real. She must have cheated–either that or she got the answers beforehand. It’s just to starty

“What?” Selena’s voice shot up in disbelief.

Both Annie and Noelle flinched, startled by her reaction.

“This has to be a mistake! Selena shouted. The warmth in her expression vanished, replaced by something sharp and twisted–so unlike her usual gentle demeanor.

Annie and Noelle exchanged uneasy glances. For the first time, Selena felt like a stranger to them

But just as quickly, Selena smoothed her expression, regaining her composure. She said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you guys. I was just… surprised. You two go on in–I’m heading to the bulletin board to check for myself”

With that, Selena turned and walked out of the classroom.

Noelle tugged on Annie’s sleeve, lowering her voice. “Did you see her face just now? That was scary. She looked like a wicked witch from a fairy tale.”

Annie hesitated but shook her head. “Come on, we’re her friends. We shouldn’t doubt her over a single expression”

Noelle thought about it for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

The hallway near the bulletin board was packed. Selena couldn’t squeeze through the crowd, but then she spotted Mateo pushing his way out.

Immediately, Selena called out, “Hey, Mateo!”

eased slightly when he saw her.

really well, right?” Selena flashed him a bright

tensed. His mood was

thought? Our almighty Mateo didn’t even make it into the top ten this time. What a shame.”

spread through the crowd. “Wait, what? No way!” someone exclaimed.

first?” another student asked.

lips curled into a smirk, full of pride. “Of course,

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Chapter 20

the student asked

“Yeah,” Joshua replied.

was sharp, her eyes wide with disbelief. “She’s never been that good. How could she be

you don’t believe it,

The names of the top three scorers were always displayed prominently. Her gaze locked onto

eyes and looked again. The name was still there. Hailey had really taken first

Her eyes

total score. Casey, who always ranked first, surprisingly scored nearly ten points less than Hailey.

score like this, if Hailey remained consistent, every top university would

She muttered, “No way. She’s from some nowhere–town school. There’s

Selena forced herself to stay composed and turned back

one test. And it’s only a practice exam, so don’t be

Mateo nodded. “Yeah, you’re

better next time.”

gaze, feigning a

through

sprinted over. “Hailey! You got first place! That’s insane

heads turned toward her.

Hailey moved

casual ponytail, framing a face that was both strikingly beautiful and untouchably

she heard what Joshua said, Hailey smiled. Soft, warm, breathtaking. It was enough to leave half the crowd momentarily

it with a sweet, delicate voice. “Wow, Hailey! First place! That’s amazing. But… wasn’t your old school’s curriculum not that strong?

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