The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 65

Second in the grade?

A girl who barely scraped together a passing score was now saying she could rank second in the whole year. Bald Lee let out a sharp laugh, like he’d just heard the wildest joke. “You really are from the middle of nowhere,” he said, his tone full of mockery. “No clue how the world works, just talking big. Do you even know what kind of score you need to get second in physics?”

Eleanor’s brows drew together, clearly upset. The top twenty students in the graduating class were all in Class A, and they basically swept the top spots in every subject. For anyone from another class, just beating one of them was nearly impossible. Aiming for the top was downright crazy.

Charlotte, what are you thinking?

“Mr. Baker, Mr. Lee…”

“If I can get second place, you’ll hand over your department head position to Ms. Adams, right in front of the whole school,” Charlotte said, her voice cool and even. She cut off Eleanor before she could finish pleading.

Every eye in the room landed on her. Charlotte stood there, her skin pale and flawless, her expression perfectly calm. There was something about her, a quiet strength that didn’t fit her age.

Eleanor turned even paler. She grabbed Charlotte’s hand, lowering her voice. “Don’t do this,” she pleaded.

Charlotte didn’t break eye contact with Bald Lee, staring straight at his smug, greasy face. “And if I don’t do it, I’ll accept whatever punishment or arrangement you decide.”

Bald Lee narrowed his eyes, sizing her up. Last time, she’d gotten the better of him because she was some country girl who knew a few odd tricks. But physics was different. Physics was about brains. There was no way a failing student from a rural school could beat the city’s best.

“You said it yourself,” Bald Lee said right away, looking over at the dean. “Mr. Baker, you’ll be our witness, won’t you?”

Mr. Baker glanced at Charlotte. With her lips pressed tight and that icy look in her eyes, she seemed like the kind of student who was impossible to teach. With scores like that, she really didn’t belong at Vanguard High. But the principal had recommended her, so if they wanted her out, they needed a good reason. The chances of her getting second were basically zero. Typical country kid, he thought. No self-awareness at all.

“Mr. Lee doesn’t like you. He’ll take this chance to kick you out for sure,” Eleanor said, setting down her cup with a thud. Her cheeks were flushed with anger. “You went through so much in the countryside just to get this shot at a better education in the city. If you don’t study hard, what kind of future will you have? Do you think you can just go back and inherit a billion-dollar fortune like Andrew?”

She’d heard the rumors about Charlotte being the Main family’s illegitimate daughter. Even if that family had money, none of it would ever go to her.

At that, Andrew’s head snapped up.

“Am I wrong?” Eleanor pressed.

Andrew thought about it but didn’t argue. It wasn’t like being rich was his fault.

Charlotte listened quietly and nodded. “Ms. Adams, my family doesn’t have billions for me to inherit. So you don’t have to worry. I’ll do my best on the exam.”