Chapter 43


    Helen turned away from Jenson''s provocative gaze.


    She opened her textbook and began to concentrate on the new lesson for the day. She wasn''t overly concerned about her score on the Math


    Olympiad test.


    Jenson let out a cold snort.


    He looked towards Gerard with expectation.


    He remarked, "Mr. Ziegler, it seems our ss didn''t do too well, did it? But that''s to be expected. The regional Math Clympiad is notoriously tough.


    Only those with true skill can score well on it.”


    Gerard responded with a chuckle. "Jenson, you are correct. Thepetition’s difficulty level was indeed higher than before. But Helen from our ss


    performed exceptionally well. She scored a perfect hundred on the percentile-based exam.”


    The announcement from Gerard caused the ss to stir in surprise.


    Jenson''s face twisted in disbelief.


    "How is this possible? It can''t be!" He struggled to ept that he had lost, and so embarrassingly at that


    The other students turned their eyes to Helen


    Her ordinary appearance, usually bringing down the ss''s average in looks, contrasted starkly with her remarkable achievement in the regional


    Math Clympiadpetition.


    It was like a miracle


    There was scattered apuse which quickly caught on and soon the whole ss was apuding Helen. Everyone joined in except for Jenson


    He sat with a thunderous expression, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.


    Gerard called on her, “Helen, why don''t you share a bit about your approach to studying with your fellow ssmates.”


    Helen had estimated her score to be at least 95.


    She was surprised to learn she had correctly solved thest question. which was the most difficult one, thanks to Chandler''s notes.


    Helen stood up.


    "Thank you, everyone. My approach is simple: extensive practice. Exposure to various problems and the ability to apply concepts creatively is crucial


    in the Math Olympiad.”


    Phishie expressed her admiration, "You''re incredible, Helen. You''ve been working through math problem after math problem. You must have finished


    at least a dozen practice books by now."


    Gerard nodded in agreement, urging the ss to learn from Helen''s example.


    After sitting back down, Helen''s gaze identally met Jenson''s. She offered him a faint smile.


    Jenson reluctantly looked away, his hands still clenched at his sides.


    The ss ended, and the students surrounded Helen. They were eager to learn her study methods.


    Jenson made his way through the crowd to Helen


    "Ugly... No, I mean. Helen," he corrected himself.


    It was the first time he had dropped his derogatory nickname.


    Jenson continued, "I lost our bet and I''ll honor it. I won''t bother you again. From today, I acknowledge you as the one in charge. I''ll steer clear


    whenever I see you at school.”


    He spoke with genuine sincerity.


    Jenson had always underestimated Helen, seeing her as just a country bumpkin. This incident had taught him a lesson.


    He resolved not to cause any more trouble.


    Helen replied, "A true gentleman epts defeat. I have to say, Jenson, I admire that about you."


    Jenson''s lips tightened. He clearly found it hard to ept. but he still managed to call her Helen and not revert to his derogatory nickname for her.


    Helen felt her previous resentment fade away after seeing Jenson’s strained reaction.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Let''s agree to coexist peacefully from now on,” she suggested.


    Jenson grunted his understanding. He was sulky after losing the bet.


    In their group chat, Tyrone kept asking about Helen''s score


    Jenson felt so annoyed, he threw his phone aside and ignored the messages.


    This time, his embarrassment was evident for all to see.


    Helen became a sensation after securing first ce in the Math Olympiadpetition. She was the only student to achieve full marks following


    Chandler.


    She became the apple of every teacher''s eye.


    In almost every ss, teachers would pick her to answer questions, especially Encerian teacher Sally Suares


    Sally noticed Helen''s solid foundation in Encerian and excellent spoken skills with perfect pronunciation. which she greatly admired.


    After ss, Sally called Helen to her office.


    "Helen, did you learn your Encerian back in the countryside?"


    Helen thought for a moment and nodded


    In truth, she had attended a private international school since childhood and received a bilingual education. Her Encerian had always been excellent.


    She even spent a year abroad as an exchange student, which naturally put her ahead of other students her age.


    But, since the teacher assumed she was educated in the countryside, Helen didn''t feel it appropriate to borate on her past.


    "Sort of," she replied.


    Sally smiled. ‘Honestly, your level of


    Encerian far €xceeds that of a high


    school student. Plus, your 5


    confidence S impressive. Our school


    is hosting the Encerian Week \°


    Speech Contest next month. tdllike


    toxmend you and Anne: to


    represent our ss. What-do you


    think?"


    The Encerian Week Speech Contest?


    Helen wasn''t particrly interested, so she declined directly.


    "I''m sorry, Ms. Suares, but I''m not really interested in that contest.”


    Sally was surprised by Helen''s refusal. After all, this was a coveted opportunity for most students.


    The school''s Encerian Week Speech


    Contest wasJust a preliminary


    screening. 6 standing performers.


    could advance to the provincial ~


    finals. ‘Winning I n the finals meant a


    directtadmissi ontoa prestigious


    foreignnguage university, even


    without taking the college-entrance


    exam.


    It was a significant opportunity for many.


    Sally thought Helen might not be ~


    aware ofthese benefits and said,


    "No problem. There''s still time ￠


    before the contest. You can think it


    over and decideter.” Content


    ~~


    Helen genuinelycked interest but didn''t want to offend Sally.


    "I understand, Ms. Suares. I''ll head back to ss now."


    "Sure, you may go.”


    As Helen left the office, Anne blocked her path.


    "Hey, Helen. What did Ms. Suares want with you?”


    Helen asked nonchntly, "What does it have to do with you?"


    But Anne didn''t let up. "Don''t think too highly of yourself just because Ms. Suares favors you. You better tell me what she said to you, or you''ll regret


    it.”


    Helen was unbothered by Anne''s threat. "Suit yourself."


    With that dismissive response, Helen walked away, leaving a furious Anne stamping her foot as she watched Helen''s retreating figure.


    "We''ll see who has thestugh, Helen.”


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