chapter299

Marcus nodded. Alright, I get it. Since the reporters are already there, just let the top scorer handle it. It's a good thing anyway. She'll get some recognition, and her school will too."

"Okay."

Once the call ended, Kylie looked at Lydia. "Lydia, do you want to go out and talk to the reporters?"

Lydia didn't even hesitate. "No, you and Dad can just tell them which school I picked."

"Alright, we'll take care of it."

"Thanks."

Lucinda burned with frustration. Lydia wouldn't even step outside. Did she really think she was so special, so mysterious? Like she was above it all. It made Lucinda's blood boil.

Right then, her phone started ringing again. She glanced at the screen. Grace.

She didn't want to answer in front of Lydia and Garrett, so she made up an excuse. "Garrett, I'm heading upstairs to change."

Garrett just nodded. "Go ahead. We'll head to the hospital to see Grandpa in a bit. "Okay."

Lucinda rushed upstairs, biting her lip to keep from crying. As soon as she shut her bedroom door, the tears came. She wiped at her face and answered the call, her voice shaky.

Before she could say anything, Grace's excited voice filled her ear. "Lucinda, Ilana just messaged me. She said you were the top scorer in the finals! That's amazing! I knew you could do it. Lydia never stood a chance."

Ilana was someone Grace had mentored, her little spy while she was away.

This just made Lucinda even angrier. "That big mouth, I swear. Who told her I was the top scorer?"

Grace went quiet, a little thrown by her reaction. "Wait, wasn't it you? And... Lucinda, are you crying?"

Lucinda's voice broke. "The top scorer isn't me. It's Lydia! I can't stand her. I hate her!"

Ever since Lydia came back, she wanted to compete with her for everything. This time, Lucinda had finally gotten her highest score ever, 735. She was so proud, but in the end, Lydia still beat her.

"What? Lydia got the highest score? That can't be right. She was always at the bottom of the class. How could she suddenly come out on top?" Grace sounded stunned.

"She didn't just get the highest score. She got a perfect score. Today was all about her. Everyone at home is treating her like she's some kind of superstar."

Lucinda used to be the center of the family's world. Now, everyone only cared about Lydia. Lydia, who grew up in the countryside. What right did she have to take Lucinda's place?

Lucinda, isn't this a little suspicious? She used to be at the bottom of her class. Now she's getting perfect scores? She must have cheated."

Lucinda had thought the same thing, but she didn't have any proof.

"Don't worry about it, Lucinda," Grace said, sounding determined. "I'm bored out of my mind at the hospital anyway. I'll go to Lakeview Towind Lydia's teachers and get them to expose her. Let's see how long she can keep up this.act." C ntent

Lucinda suddenly felt hopeful. "But Grace, your face... your injuries aren't healed yet."

"Don't worry about me. It's nothing. What's happening to you is way more important."

Lucinda felt a wave of gratitude. She wiped her eyes, her voice soft but sincere "Grace, you're better to me. th?n my own parents. All they caf about now is Lydia. It's like I'm not even their daughter anymore."