Translator: Inschain     Editor: Inschain
When the blame was thrust upon him, Ben could not possibly take it lying down. Infuriated, he exclaimed, âYouâre slandering me! I didnât bully you; it was an accident.â
âI kicked you twice too, so consider this as me forgiving you.â
Elizabeth looked at him with an expression similar to one looking at a mischievous child, choosing to magnanimously let it go because she felt more mature.
Feeling choked with frustration, Ben wanted to scream. He wished he could retaliate, but he couldnât.
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the beginning of class.
Ben glared menacingly at Elizabeth before heading back to his seat, his face showing obvious resentment.
âElizabeth, Iâm sorry. It was wrong of me to judge without knowing the whole story.â
Linda admitted, looking regretful. She continued as if trying to make amends, âI heard you never went to school back in the countryside, and now youâre directly in your senior year. Let me know if thereâs anything you donât understand.â
The classmates turned to look at Elizabeth with astonishment.
She never went to school? Isnât she going to be a burden to the class?
Has the school gone mad! Why did they admit someone like her!
âNo need.â
Elizabeth responded without any hint of emotion, coldly telling Linda, âThe class has started. Return to your seat.â
Her indifferent attitude was interpreted by her peers as a rejection of Lindaâs olive branch.
Sheâs so arrogant; itâs evident sheâs not easy to get along with.
Lindaâs smile faded, leaving her standing awkwardly, unsure of how to proceed.
Suddenly, Lily jumped up, agitated, came over to Linda, and pulled her to her seat.
âWhy are you being so nice to her? She doesnât even acknowledge you. A country bumpkin showing off at Sunny Heights.â
âWeâre relatives. Stop it!â Linda retorted, giving Lily a disapproving look.
âElizabeth, if you think youâre so great, letâs see how you do in the upcoming test!â Lily exclaimed.
But before Elizabeth could reply, the teacher walked in, and Lily huffed, dragging Linda back to her seat.
After arranging her books, Elizabeth fixed her gaze on her desk-mate.
Renee Thompson felt uneasy under Elizabethâs unwavering stare.
She thought to herself, âWhat is she looking at? Did I do something to her?â After a moment of internal conflict, Renee cautiously asked, âCan I help you?â After witnessing Elizabeth kick Benâs chair and disregard Linda, Renee felt she was definitely a tough nut.
âWhy do I have to be paired with Elizabeth?â Renee wondered.
âHello, Iâm Elizabeth.â
Trying to be friendly, Elizabeth extended her hand and attempted to smile.
However, to Renee, Elizabethâs smile looked more like a snarl. Renee was taken aback.
Waiting for a moment, Elizabeth saw no response from Renee.
Elizabeth retracted her hand and pursed her lips.
âMaking friends is more challenging than conducting a multi-million dollar research project,â she thought.
Renee shifted backward, trying to distance herself from Elizabeth.
How fierce.
The class teacher was a man in his forties, with a gentle demeanor, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and strongly exuding a scholarly aura.
He first extended a welcome to Elizabeth, and then said, âSenior year is the most crucial moment; letâs not waste any time. Study monitor, please distribute the test papers. I hope you all havenât regressed.â
âOh, no!â
The classroom burst into groans. A quiz right at the start of the term? This was some kind of earthly hell.
âMr. Berwick, arenât you being a little harsh? Canât you give us a break?â
The class teacher, Frank Berwick, responded with a smirk, âTodayâs challenges prepare you for a brighter future. No back talk. Those who underperform will clean the classroom for three days.â
More groans echoed through the room.
When Elizabeth received the math test, her brows instantly furrowed..