Sandra was isolated. The shameful incident, including previous suggestions that Tiffany had drugged her at Romeo's birthday party to ruin her reputation, was posted online for public comment. While those earlier claims were unsubstantiated, they faded quickly, unlike the theft, which had concrete evidence.

Zoe felt relieved. Sandra, previously riding high and scornful of Tiffany, had fallen from grace and was now despised. Conversely, Tiffany, once ridiculed, had redeemed herself. She impressed everyone with her talent and, by rejecting Philip's invitation, provoked envy and frustration.

Zoe rolled her eyes, irritated by those who had sneered at Tiffany. She grumbled to Ged, "Those loudmouths have learned to behave!"

Ged, though only a spectator, subconsciously sided with Tiffany, secretly defending her during the slander. This was his way of supporting a friend. He felt inexplicably satisfied by the situation's reversal, but noted Tiffany's unfazed demeanor; such trivialities barely affected her. They weren't worthy of her attention.

Instead of responding to Zoe, Ged asked, "This is over, but a major exam is coming up, Zoe. Are you prepared?"

Zoe, admitted through connections and possessing the worst grades, needed this exam to determine her next semester's class placement. Hearing this, she despaired, wailing, "Help me!"

"Serves you right," Ged said disdainfully. "What have you been doing? I told you to focus on your studies!" Despite being a fun-loving, mischievous playboy, he never neglected his studies.

Zoe retorted, "Tiffany's grades are as bad as mine. If I do better than her, won't that be disrespectful? Besides, if you want to criticize me, criticize her too!"

Ged was speechless. Tiffany, known as a "pretty face" with poor academic skills, had unexpectedly revealed exceptional painting talent. Zoe's excuse was apt; even if Tiffany wasn't academically gifted, Ged wouldn't dare criticize her.

Tiffany, resting with her eyes closed, said, "Zoe, I think you misunderstand. Do you believe I'll make the top three in this exam?" Ged was skeptical. Zoe, however, enthusiastically agreed, "I believe it! To avoid dragging you down, I'll work hard to get into the top twenty!"

"Great. You can do it!" Tiffany encouraged.

Ged was baffled by their blind confidence and loyalty. "Can't you be more realistic?" he asked.

"So, you think we can't do it?" Zoe challenged. "Let me, the underachiever, test you, the top student. Which is heavier: a pound of bricks or a pound of feathers?"

Ged instantly replied, "Bricks, of course!" Zoe's look of disbelief made him realize his mistake. Tiffany, amused, clarified, "They both weigh one pound."

Ged, embarrassed, pretended to bang his head against the wall. Zoe laughed. "You're so dumb!" she mocked. Tiffany found their antics entertaining. She continued her daily visits to Royal Bay to care for the child.

Another week passed. Kenneth, absent for over two weeks (due to a severe beating, unknown to most, but known to Tiffany as fifty lashes), returned. He claimed illness, but Tiffany knew the truth. Richard, known for his ruthlessness, had punished Kenneth for not being kind to his future "aunt" at Royal Bay. Kenneth now viewed Tiffany as scheming and dangerous, believing her to have bewitched his uncle. Tiffany, unconcerned, disregarded his opinion.

Sandra, overjoyed by Kenneth's return, had been isolated during his absence. She visited him in the hospital, exaggerating the school events. She claimed Tiffany, jealous of her favor with Philip, had stolen and swapped paintings, falsely accusing her of theft. Kenneth, already biased towards Sandra, was furious. He became inseparable from her, and those who previously ignored Sandra now sought her favor. Kenneth eventually hushed up the theft scandal.

Zoe, seeing Sandra and Kenneth's smug displays and Tiffany's blatant betrayal, raged, "Scumbag! He's trash!"

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