Chapter 101
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Zachary waved his hand dismissively as he stepped into the kitchen. The medicine was already prepared. He poured soup into at
bowl and brought it over together with the medicine.
“Drink it while it’s hot. I added extra water, so make sure you finish it all.”
Sarah stared at the bowl in front of her–a large soup bowl that was even bigger than her face. “That’s way too much.”
Zachary had already brought over the pot. There was still another full bowl’s worth inside.
“It’s for your health.” Zachary smiled gently.
Sarah felt a tingling discomfort down her scalp. She picked up the spoon and started taking small sips. Sneaking a glance upward,
she caught sight of Zachary’s deep, focused eyes, which only made her feel more uneasy.
“Mr. Reynolds, it’s already late. You should get some rest.” She didn’t want Zachary watching her as she forced down the
medicine.
This
This time, Zachary didn’t argue. “Make sure to drink it all.”
With that, he turned and left.
The medicine was unbearably bitter, and Sarah struggled with each swallow. The thought of drinking so much more made her
want to stop
But as she put down the spoon, all she could think about was Zachary’s tall figure in the kitchen, his starlit eyes, and the soft
reminder: “Make sure to drink it all.”
Reluctantly, she took another sip. It didn’t seem quite as bitter anymore.
On the day of the competition, Jane’s arrival caused quite a stir. The school’s board had invited a number of reporters and media
outlets, who were now stationed at the campus gates.
When Jane appeared, Sarah took the lead, escorting her into the auditorium with a group of over ten students.
On the other side of the auditorium, the competitors were waiting.
Mia spotted Lucy and hadn’t even opened her mouth before Lucy spoke first.
“Mia, you’re so close to Sarah. Has she told you anything about the test questions? Why don’t you share with us?”
Lucy’s words drew everyone’s attention. Mia glared at her in frustration. “Sarah would never stoop so low. Not like some people who only know how to cozy up to power.”
“Mia, I’ve tried to befriend you countless times, but you always side with Sarah. This time, I’m going to beat you in the competition–unless Sarah helps you cheat,” Lucy declared confidently.
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“And where does your confidence come from?” Mia retorted sharply. “You’ve never been particularly diligent. This competition isn’t just about me. There are plenty of top students participating. What makes you think you’ll win?”
Mia shot her one last scathing look and strode away without waiting for a response.
Lucy’s gaze drifted to the judges‘ table, where Sarah was busy. This time, she was determined to make Sarah notice her and prove
who deserved the spotlight.
And with Zachary attending as well, she was set on showing him she could take first place.
The student council had reserved the largest auditorium on campus. The judges‘ table was set up prominently in the center, with the principal’s seat in the middle. To the left, a spot was arranged for Jane, and the closest seat to the stage was reserved for
Zachary,
As a sponsor and award presenter, Zachary was required to attend. Sarah had spent the previous evening arranging his seat.
On the competition floor, over 200 desks and chairs were neatly set up. All participants had already handed in their phones and personal belongings and were now seated quietly.
Once everything was ready, the eight judges took their places at the table.
After the host introduced the panel, it was time for the principal’s speech.
At that moment, a student from the planning committee approached Sarah, their face full of panic. “Ms. Sanders, something’s Wrong!”
“What happened?” Sarah’s heart skipped a beat.
“Please come with me.”
She immediately followed the student out of the auditorium and up to the second floor backstage area, where the safe holding the test questions was stored.
The safe’s door was damaged.
A staff member nearby spoke nervously. “Ms. Sanders, after the student in charge of retrieving the questions came to the office, we found the safe like this. There were 248 sets of test questions inside, but now there’s only 247–one is missing.”
