Chapter 114


    On the other end of the line, Emmitt fell silent for a couple of seconds before responding in a subdued


    tone. “I’ve got some buddies over, and we might have other nster. It’s just a bunch of guys, you


    know, and bringing Mirabe along might not be the best fit. Let’s take a rain check, alright?”


    Zach, still driving, replied nonchntly, “Sure thing, man. Gotta focus on the road. Catch youter.”


    “Alright.”


    After hanging up, Zach refocused on the road, stealing a nce at Mirabe. He didn’t bring up Emmitt


    but yfully asked, “Mira, decided where you want to grab a bite yet?”


    A smile tugged at the corners of Mirabe’s mouth, her expression a mix of amusement and


    exasperation.


    “Let’s just head home. Mom and Dad are probably waiting,” she said, shaking her head.


    Zach pondered for a moment but didn’t push the issue. Celebrating didn’t have to be crammed into one


    day. There was always tomorrow, the day after, or the day after that. In any case, he was determined to


    make this sibling outing something special. ·


    By the time Summer made it back to the Gilbert family home, it was nearly seven o’clock.


    Mandy had just gotten in herself, a ss of water in her hand. She eyed her daughter curiously, “Why


    are you home sote today?”


    “Got held up at school,” Summer replied, her mind clearly elsewhere, careful not to mention her


    hospital visit.


    Mandy didn’t suspect a thing, sitting down on the couch before something seemed to strike her. “The


    results from yourpetition were released today, weren’t they?”


    Summer had just set her bag down. Hearing Mandy’s question, her eyes dimmed slightly, “Yeah,


    they’re out. Scored 186. Ranked tenth nationwide.”


    Mandy frowned, turning to look at her, “Weren’t you ranked sixthst time? Howe you’re tenth


    now?”


    Summer seemed to have anticipated this question and calmly responded, “The preliminaries and the


    actualpetition are different beasts. The difficulty ramps up considerably. Plus, there were quite a


    few of us tied for sixthst time. Out of over a hundred and twenty students nationwide, making it to the


    top ten is a big deal. There’s a good chance I’ll advance to the national finals.”


    Mandy didn’t quite grasp the intricacies of thepetition, but the idea of her daughter cing in the


    top ten among over a hundred and twenty students did impress her. Her expression


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    12:19


    Chapter 114


    softened considerably. “I didn’t understand and thought you had slipped back. But it’s clear you’re truly


    outstanding.”


    Summer’s gaze dropped, and she remained silent, settling down on a nearby couch, her fingers


    massaging her temples.


    “By the way, how did Mirabe do?” Mandy casually inquired, setting her water ss down.


    Summer’s hand paused, and she reflexively answered, “I’m not sure about her scores. Didn’t really


    keep track of everyone else.”


    Mandy’s thoughts drifted to the embarrassment she had faced at the hospital in front of Dr. Ray


    because of Mirabe, her eyes growing cold. “Summer, you’re my pride and joy. You have to outshine


    Mirabe in every way. Do you understand?”


    Summer felt a twinge of difort at her words. Mirabe had aced the tests twice now. How was she


    supposed to outshine Mirabe?


    With a self–deprecating chuckle, Summer said nothing, merely acknowledging with a nomittal


    “Mm–hmm.”


    Mandy missed the nuance in Summer’s expression, but after a moment’s thought, she added, “Here’s


    what we’ll do: I’ll hire a tutor to help you focus on your studies for a while.”This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.