chapter314

There was no photo. Just a name and the university where the top scorer had applied.

In the past, each region had its own valedictorian, but it had been three years since anyone in the whole country got a perfect score. Now, finally, someone did. The news exploded online, setting the country on fire.

Comments poured in from every corner.

[No way! A perfect score? Did she save the universe in her past life or something? That brain is unreal.]

[Whoa, she aced it like it was nothing. I bet the exam papers were shaking just seeing her name. Meanwhile, I can't even remember my own name during a test.]

[Seriously, a perfect scorer? Her brain must be some kind of genius factory. The rest of us are still splashing around in the kiddie pool, and she's already taken a rocket ship into outer space.]

[Unbelievable. Did she grow up eating smart pills? I'm so jealous. My kid can only dream of a perfect score, haha.]

Garrett sat back in his chair, scrolling through the comments and reading them out loud to Mr. Norwood and everyone else. Cameron and Kylie burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.

Mr. Norwood's eyes shone with pride. "I never thought Lydia could get a perfect score, especially after everything she went through with the Smith family. She must've worked so hard."

Of the four Norwood brothers, only Arthur and Blake had ever gotten a perfect score. Now his own granddaughter had done it too. It was a huge moment for the family.

Garrett grinned. "Come on, Grandpa. Just look at whose blood she's got. Has anyone in the Norwood family ever been a slouch?"

Mr. Norwood started laughing but winced, pressing a hand to his side where the sudden movement made his wound ache.

Lucinda clenched her fingers under the table, her smile tight and forced. None of this felt fair. In her mind, Lydia was nothing but a loser.

Just wait, she thought. They wouldn't be laughing for long.

Pretending to check her feed like everyone else, Lucinda quietly sent a message to Grace: [How's it going?]

Grace was already waiting for the news to drop. She replied instantly: [Don't worry, Lucinda. I've talked to the school. The rumor about her cheating is out Givent ten minutes tops, and it'll be everywhere. The more they praise her now, the harder she'll fall.]

Lucinda's lips finally curved into a real smile. She typed back one word: [Good.]

Grace always had her back.

Mr. Norwood noticed Lucinda's

distracted expression and tried to "Lucinda did amazing

cheer her uD

too Seven thirty-five. That's the

Norwood spirit."

If you lined up the four brothers, Lydia, and Lucinda by their scores, Lucinda would

still be last. But in this family, everyone was basically a genius.

Lucinda managed a polite smile. "Grandpa, I could never compare to my brothers and sister. I still have so much to learn from them."

Garrett suddenly snapped his fingers

said i

serve

as he remembered. "Hey, didn't you make a bet with Lydia? You said if she got a erfect score you'd her coffee and ask her for study tips."

Honestly, before Lydia came back, Lucinda had really liked Garrett. Out of all her brothers, he was the easiest to talk to, always gentle and calm.

Now, though, she couldn't stand him.

She just didn't get it. Why did Garrett always side with Lydia, making her look bad? Did he really think Lydia was that amazing?

Mr. Norwood looked surprised. Really, Lucinda? You thought your sister would get a perfect score?"

Lucinda didn't know what to say.

Mr. Norwood's tone softened. "Well, now that your sister is the top scorer, you really ought to learn from her."