Translator: Inschain Editor: Inschain
Ray patted Sophiaâs shoulder, comforting her, âDonât overthink it. Maybe Elizabethâs score isnât as bad as you think.â
Sophia sighed and shook her head, not taking Rayâs words to heart.
At dinner, Sophia turned to Elizabeth.
âDid you get your quiz results?â
âYeah.â Elizabeth looked up at her, her dark and beautiful eyes reminiscent of an obedient ragdoll cat.
Taken aback by Elizabethâs adorable expression, Sophia blurted, âHow did you
âNot bad.â Elizabeth didnât hesitate and reached for her backpack to show them her scorecard.
Not bad? How exactly?
They had assumed Elizabethâs score was mediocre and were thinking of ways to console her when she already had her scorecard out. âTop of the class. Oh, and top of the grade too.â
What?
Jack blinked in disbelief, thinking he must have heard wrong.
He even glanced at a stone-faced Linda. Elizabethâs grades were better than Lindaâs. That couldnât be possible.
Sophia quickly took the scorecard and skimmed through it.
âTop of the grade⦠indeed, top of the grade⦠I need a moment.â
She held her forehead, clearly overwhelmed.
Ray, speechless, stepped forward, took the scorecard, and apologized to
Elizabeth, âYour mom is just too excited.â
Elizabeth couldnât grasp why Sophia was so thrilled and simply told them, âI told you I could do it.â
Ray expressed remorse, âWe underestimated you. Sorry.â
Sophia felt awkward, realizing she had prematurely arranged for a tutor, which was now unnecessary.
Jack grimaced as he remembered his prior suspicion about Elizabethâs supposed poor grades, feeling quite embarrassed.
Linda, noticing the elated expressions on the Wilsonsâ faces, felt a pang of jealousy and remarked, âThis quiz was relatively easy. The monthly test is what really matters. But given Elizabethâs intelligence, I believe she will excel.â
Hearing Lindaâs comment, the realization dawned on them.
Quizzes and formal exams were indeed different.
But regardless, Elizabeth topped them all, and she deserved to be rewarded.
After dinner, Elizabeth received a gift card worth one hundred thousand dollars.
Linda got one too, but only for fifty thousand dollars since she ranked second in class and eighth in the grade.
Linda bit her lip, feeling upset.
She had always known that if Elizabeth achieved good grades, their parents would favor her more.
As expectedâ¦
Later that night, Jack approached Elizabeth and congratulated her, âWell done on ranking top of your grade.â
Elizabeth replied nonchalantly, âIt was easy.â
Jack felt a pang of guilt. He wondered if Elizabethâs comment was an indirect reference to his prior suspicions of her cheating.
Sheâs holding a grudge, just like any young kid would.
âDo you want anything? Iâll get it for you,â he offered.
Elizabeth shook her head faintly, âNo need.â
Jack stared at the stunning features of Elizabeth. The soft light softened the indifference in her eyes.
But the sense of detachment was still palpable.
Elizabeth noticed Jackâs odd expression, feeling puzzled but chose not to inquire further.
She felt misunderstood every time she spoke the truth, so she decided to speak less around Jack.
Jack added, âLet me know if you change your mind.â
He planned to stay in his downtown apartment for a few days.
Assuming Elizabeth was upset with him, he hoped that giving her some space might help.
Seeing Jack about to leave so late, Linda inquired with concern, âJack, are you heading to work?â
âIâm staying at the apartment. Itâs closer to the office.â
Jack responded, then as if recalling something, he asked, âHow is Elizabeth getting along with her classmates?â
He suspected Elizabeth might be getting bullied at school due to an earlier incident involving a lost book..