The Queen They Buried

Carmen’s circle in class couldn’t stop gushing, talking over each other in awestruck tones. One of them said, “Carmen is simply the big deal about Rithol Art School She quietly made it to the state level finalst Theard the bar is set really high this year, even the top an the prestigious high school next door all got eliminated.

A classmate sneered “Just wait till Carmen wins the award. Rithal Art School will realize what a huge mistake they made, taming her for Aurer’s screw up. Serves them right”.

Another said, “If Carmen was the award, the whole school will be singing her prases!”

Someone else said. “School wide praise? That’s thinking too small Soon enough, Carmen’s story will probably make it on TV news

They felt that the Wison family sure got lucky. All four sons were outstanding in their own right, while their only biological daughter brought shame to the family name. But at least their adopted daughter was making them proud

Everyone got their own destiny. Some prople were just born luckier than others, and there was no use being envious. Aubree was born into the Wilson family but never got to enjoy its privileges, while Carmen somehow ended up with all the good fortune

Carmen covered her mouth with a giggle, “If you keep praising me like this, I might get so nervous my hands will shake during the competition, and t be all your faul!”

Carmen’s playful scolding only made her classmates adore her even more.

“Carmen, you’re seriously amazing!” a classmate exclaimed. “You’re already top of the class, and even though the teacher said you could take the day off, you just can’t even relax for a moment, you still came in for half a day!”

Carmen maintained a humble facade, but her eyes gleamed with smug confidence. She’d spent weeks meticulously copying a painting Aubree had left at homu. She thought, I’m definitely winning at the finals. Maybe even the gold!”

Out of the camer of her eye, Carmen noticed Alvin glancing her way from the back seat. Her ears flushed pink. I win the award would he finally notice me more!‘ she wondered.

Carmen thought smugly, 1 know Alvin better than anyone. He only got into art because his late mother was an artist. If my painting skills are truly exceptional, he’s bound to notice me

Carmen smoothed her hair and walked up to Alvin with a bright sme. “Alvin, my birthday’s coming up. Would you like to come to my party? if you’re free, we could also talk about painting.

Graceful and poised, her radiant, confident smile could win over even a stranger, especially with the added prestige of being the Wilson family’s heiress.

Carmen was absolutely certain Alvin wouldn’t turn her down.

She thought. My original plan was to let Alvin realize how great lam and come to me on his own… but…

“That bitch Aubree, when did she hook up with Alvin? So what it she’s good at gaming? As long as I control the Wilson ta

she’ll never surpass mal

before the competition, all so Alvin would notice her, and she could see the chance to invite him

lost.” Alin didn’t even bother to look up. His words

eyes widening in disbelief. “How could Alvin humate me like this in public?” she thought, her cheeks burning

eyes instantly welled up with tears. One of her classmates immediately jumped to her defense, exclaiming, “Alvin, how

Like that?”

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U13 Mon, 7

Chapter 59

coldly, “You get

more, but Carmen, woriled that Alvin might think less of her, quickly pulled them back. Forcing a smile, she said, “it’s fine, I was being presumptuous. My competition is about to start, so have to go now. Don’t forget, you’re all invited to my birthday party

eyes glistening with unshed tears, a sight that tugged

and jealousy. “There’s only one reason Alvin

matter. Once I win

Beton and Alice, who were free at

be the best in Mom’s eyes,”

encouraging squeeze.

would, Carmen,” he

want

Aubree were still here, with her skills she’d surely have made it to the finals,” Cammen

instantly froze the

about her still haven’t settled the

bring her up? if it weren’t for Aubree, you’d still be at Rithol Art School without a care, getting ready for your SAT and

Carmen succeed and deliberately smeared her, ruining her reputation at Richol Art School and making her worry about being rejected from college, would she really need to win an award

“Does she really think she’s hot stuff now? Just started some

been so busy preparing for Carmen’s birthday party, I would’ve taught that girl a lesson already! So what if she

really think Bowen would take on the Wilson family for a

to let Aubree off the hook, a glint of trumph flashed in Carmen’s eyes. With feigned innocence, she asked, Did I say something

Darton said with any adoring sile, “The competition’s about to start, go

Daxton nor Alice left. Instead, they got

slowly. Duxton reviewed the medical records again, his eyes growing weary. Finally, he looked up and gazed out

the Painting Competition were taking place here simultaneously.

now test–takers were stroming out of the venue, gathering in

cheating attempts, all the finals were graded and