Chapter 98
Alice’s words struck a nerve.
The classroom fell silent; everyone stared at her in shock. She was truly an inspiration.
Chloe’s face flushed; she started crying.“Alice, I was just trying to comfort you. I didn’t mean anything else?
Cecelia exclaimed, “Alice, don’t be ungrateful! So what if your score is higher? What’s so impressive? Become the top scorer and then boast!”
Other male classmates agreed.” Alice, your scores and gaming skills are impressive, but you shouldn’t belittle others. Chloe was being kind.”
Alice smirked.“I don’t need her ‘kindness“.”
Chloe sniffed.“Don’t fight because of me. I understand Alice’s upset about her scores.”
Jane was furious. “Understand what? Stop with the crocodile tears! The stationery incident was definitely related to you!”
She’d heard rumors about a high–achieving student whose writing score suffered, affecting the overall grade.
Knowing about Alice’s stationery issue from Chloe, Jane suspected Chloe as the culprit.
Chloe looked innocent.“Jane, that’s hurtful. I didn’t prepare Alice’s stationery. She was just unlucky.”
She was glad Alice hadn’t done well.
Chloe believed Alice deserved it.
Alice scoffed.“Who said I didn’t do well?”
She hadn’t wanted to be the center of attention, but Chloe had provoked Chloe; she couldn’t let that stand.
Chloe was surprised.“Alice, don’t be stubborn. We all know.”
Cecelia asked, “Alice, if you did well, what did you score?”
Alice raised an eyebrow.“I don’t know.”
“Really? You’re kidding! The scores are out.”
Jane said in shock, “There’s another possibility that her score is hidden.”
Alice leaned back, relaxed and unconcerned.
Chloe felt uneasy as she glanced at Alice.
Alice must be lying. Chloe didn’t believe it.
Cecelia said, “Alice’s just bluffing. No one knows her actual score.
Chloe thought so too but wasn’t sure because of Alice’s composure.
Chloe probed, “Alice, I know you studied hard in the last few months, and your scores improved, but good scores aren’t everything. Don’t feel pressured to exaggerate.”
Jane retorted, “Chloe, are you jealous? Alice’s skills are evident. Perhaps she exceeded expectations; a hidden score isn’t impossible.”
Cecelia argued, “Her scores were always average. How could she suddenly score so high, especially with a hidden score? It’s impossible she’s in
the top 50.
No one believed it.
The head teacher entered happily. “Students, I’m treating everyone to celebrate our class’s top scorer–the city’s top scorer!”
The classroom was filled with exclaims.
“No way! The city’s top scorer is in our class?!”
“Our school hasn’t had a top scorer in years! Who is it?
The teacher paused dramatically. “Guess who it is!”
Chloe said “Probably the class valedictorian.”
“Yes, the top scorer must be the valedictorian. He’s consistently ranked in the top three in the grade. It must be him.”
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The valedictorian stood up.“It’s not me.”
Impossible! If not him, then who? Number two?”
The teacher, seeing reporters, announced, “It’s Alice Welch.”
Silence fell upon the room.
Jane screamed first, “It’s our idol! You’re the top scorer! Amazing!”
The students were shocked; they hadn’t expected it to be Alice, though they had many people in mind.
Chloe was stunned. Alice was the top scorer? This was devastating. How could it be possible?
Jane looked at Chloe and Cecelia. “Who was comforting our top scorer, saying, ‘If you don’t do well, I’ll help you retake the exam? What nerve! Comfort the NO.1 in the city?”
“That’s hilarious! The best joke ever!”
“A low scorer consoling the top scorer, offering to retake the exam together! Incredible!”
Chloe’s face was ashen.
These words were like slaps on her face.
Cecelia yelled, “Alice couldn’t be the top scorer! Something’s wrong! She cheated!”
Chloe thought so too.
How could Alice be the top scorer?
The teacher glared at them.“What’s wrong with you two? Alice’s improvement was evident. She became a dark horse. As her classmates and, supposedly, her family, you should be celebrating, not questioning her score. Is this how I taught you?”
Chloe’s eyes welled up, but no one comforted her.
Everyone discussed Alice’s achievement.
Reporters arrived with the principal and vice principal, who looked kind.
The principal looked at Alice with relief.“I didn’t expect you to do so well.”
Alice smiled at him. Thank you for the stationery you gave me.”
Without the principal’s timely intervention, her writing score would have suffered.
The defective stationery was smudging and causing ink to bleed. It would definitely cause her lower grades.
“I was just following regulations. You’re talented; you earned this.”
A reporter approached. “Alice, your scores improved dramatically in the last few months and even ranked the top in the city. You must have got a lot of support. Who do you want to thank
