17:58 Sat, Dec 21
Chapter 60
The invigilator entered the room, distributing exam papers. Alison, ignoring the bustle around her, buried her head in the questions.
After only two questions, Alison couldn't resist glancing at Aurora, seated diagonally in front. Aurora effortlessly answered the questions. Alison sneered, thinking, She's just pretending. It's only a language test; she could just copy. But she wouldn't be able to fake the math test.
The math exam, which Alison had been relying on, shocked her. Aurora finished within an hour, even submitting her paper earlier than the language test. Alison clenched her fists, thinking, She must have scribbled random answers. This math test, designed to push students' limits, had left Alison with a blank final question. Aurora, having already submitted her paper, had returned to Crawford Manor.
Passing Maura's room, Aurora heard a thud, followed by groans and bangs, like someone hitting their head against the door. She paused, then continued on, thinking, Maura's vain; she wouldn't want anyone to see her like this.
Back in her room, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, Aurora, having finished the exam early, prepared her medicine.
The next morning, Maura sat at the dining table with Jaxon and Stacy. Maura, seeing Aurora, initially lowered her head, but then remembered her mother's advice: never appear weak to Aurora. She knew she needed to suppress her hatred and wait for the right moment. Forcing a strained smile, she asked, "Aurora, you had exams yesterday, right? How do you feel about them?"
"Pretty good," Aurora replied casually.
Stacy rolled her eyes, thinking, Seriously? That bumpkin Aurora, only here a few months, thinks she can keep up?
After breakfast, Aurora headed to Mereida High School. She sighed with satisfaction, This new driver is excellent.
At Mereida High School, the exams continued. The invigilator sternly reprimanded a girl for trying to leave early. The comprehensive science exam, a three-hour test, was designed to discourage such behavior. The invigilator, noticing Aurora asleep at her desk, disapproved, thinking, What kind of upbringing did her parents give her? He resolved to ensure she stayed until the end.
Alison glanced at the sleeping Aurora, thinking, What's she playing at? Her paper must be a mess.
Bored, the invigilator picked up Aurora's answer sheet. To his astonishment, every answer was correct. The solutions were flawlessly explained, including methods he hadn't considered. He checked the name: Aurora, Class F. He recalled Frank's lament about a top student ending up in Class F. Could this be the student Mr. Gill mentioned? he thought.
Alison felt a surge of satisfaction, assuming Aurora had been caught cheating.
The results of the bet between Class A and Class F drew attention. Class A amassed over a thousand votes, while Class F received only thirty-one.
"Thirty-something votes is actually quite a lot," someone remarked.
Another scoffed, "Quite a lot? Class F only has thirty-two students."
The group chat buzzed with mockery. Erik slammed his phone on the desk, furious at the blatant unfairness.