"Even if Noelle flunked," Lucas argued, "she doesn't need to repeat. Her grades are better than ours, except maybe Carl's. She's doing great, actually." Her rapid improvement was astounding.

Xenia recoiled. She hadn't expected Lucas to defend Noelle. Frank's shift was one thing, but Lucas? Fear clenched her. She couldn't afford to lose her brothers' favor.

"I know her grades improved," Xenia said, her voice tight, "but maybe it's not stable. That's why she failed the exam."

Frank hesitated. "Isn't there a college application lecture tomorrow? And consultations for repeaters?"

Xenia nodded.

"Go check it out," Frank said.

"Frank, do you really think I should repeat?" Xenia asked, the idea appalling. Live-streaming made more sense. She could always join Blake's film company later.

"Xenia," Frank said calmly, "even if you'd tried your hardest, you wouldn't have gotten into a top university. No need to repeat. Just pick a major you like."

He'd decided. He'd persuade Noelle to repeat, but not Xenia. Without Xenia's interference, Noelle wouldn't suffer injustice. He left.

Xenia's lips tightened. What did that mean? Was she less valuable than Noelle? Repeating wouldn't mean as much for her.

Lucas rubbed his head. "Xenia, don't read too much into it. Frank's always favored Noelle. Things will settle down."

"Why would I take it to heart? Frank's always been good to me," Xenia said smoothly.

She turned to Gordon. "Is Frank's congee ready? Not as good as Noelle's, but I want to help."

"Almost," Gordon replied.

Lucas smiled. "It doesn't matter about the exam. I'll take you out later."

"Okay, I'll change," Xenia said. "Gordon, take the congee to Frank."

Upstairs, excitement bubbled. Then her phone rang. An unfamiliar number – the same one from a few days ago. She'd ignored it then. She assumed it was wrong. It rang again.

"Hello?" she answered brightly.

"Xenny, it's me," a voice said.

Xenia froze. Her mind blanked. Her hands trembled. "Who is this?" she whispered.

The voice… her father's? He'd died years ago, saving Noelle's parents in a car accident.

"Xenny, this is complicated. Send me money. I need it urgently."

"Scammers are getting bold," Xenia snapped, "pretending to be my dead father? Do you think I'm that stupid?"

She hung up, but a storm raged inside. Only her father called her Xenny.