Chapter 104


    Madeline quickly scrolled through the national leaderboard on her phone until she spotted Summer’s


    score and ranking.


    186 points, ranked 10th in the nation.


    Had she not seen Mirabe’s score, she would’ve thought that was pretty impressive, But now…


    Madeline touched her nose, a forced smile creeping onto her face as she said, “Wow, Summer, you


    really aced it too, huh?”


    Summer’s thoughts, lost in a jumble of emotions, snapped back to the present with Madeline’s voice.


    She masked the turmoil within and asked calmly, “What did I score?”


    “186 points, right at number ten nationwide.” Madeline’s voice was noticeably softer when she said it,


    lacking the oomph she had when she mentioned Mirabe’s perfect 200 score.


    Hearing this, Summer’s eyes briefly dipped in response, her tone t, “Okay.”


    After her terse reply, she slid her phone back into her desk drawer and pulled out her physics textbook


    instead, burying her head in it. Her ponytail cascaded onto her shoulder, velling half of her profile from


    view.


    Madeline watched her, her heart heavy with sympathy, wanting to offer someforting words but


    coming up empty. All of this was because of Mirabe. She stole Summer’s spotlight after seventeen


    years, and now, she was back to rub salt in the wound with her over–the–top achievements. It was


    Infuriating. Why couldn’t she just stay in the honors program and keep a low profile?


    Madeline was positively seething!


    Meanwhile, Mirabe made a beeline for Ms. Ate’s office.


    “Mirabe, I was just about to call you, and here you are.” Ms. Ate’s stern face softened


    instinctively at the sight of Mirabe.


    Mirabe looked puzzled, “Oh?”


    “Congrattions on snagging the top national rank in the city preliminaries again. You’re outstanding!”


    Ms. Ate couldn’t hide her genuine admiration. She recalled how Mr. Morgan, that old stickler,


    almost misled her and she nearly made the mistake of turning away such a promising student.


    Now that Mirabe had clinched the national top spot again, that stubborn old man must be kicking


    himself. The thought brought a smug smile to Ms. Ate’s lips.


    Mirabe was silent for a beat before she said, “Ms. Ate, I suspect there’s been a mistake with my


    BrainSpark Nationals preliminary score.”


    Ms. Ate paused, “A mistake? What do you mean?”


    “I don’t think my score should be just 200 points. No, I’m certain it shouldn’t be just 200 points,”


    Mirabe said earnestly, her expression serious.


    Ms. Ate stifled augh. “What do you mean ‘just‘ 200 points? The total is 210!”


    She regarded Mirabe with a mix of amusement and perplexity for a moment before asking. “So, what


    score do you think you should have?”


    “Full marks!” Mirabe lifted her chin confidently.


    Ms. Ate coughed, taken aback once again. Truth be told, she wanted to believe Mirabe, but she


    knew thepetition’s rigorous standards, and achieving full marks was nearly impossible.


    “Mirabe, not scoring full marks isn’t the end of the world. Don’t be disheartened. You still ranked first


    in the nation and have smoothly advanced to the city finals,” Ms. Ate consoled with a meaningful


    tone.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    At that, Mirabe couldn’t help but give a wry smile. “Ms. Ate, it’s not about the full marks. I just


    want to know


    12:35


    Chapter 104


    where those ten points went.”


    Realizing her misunderstanding, Ms. Ate chuckled and said, “Ah, I see… It just so happens that


    the folks from the Education Association are in Mr. Hammond’s office right now. I was supposed to


    inform you to drop by but got sidetracked. Why don’t you head over there now and ask them about the


    deduction directly?”