Lemira's words were like a punch to the gut.

The room went dead silent, everyone's eyes wide as they stared at Lemira in shock. They admired that their idol was indeed worth the title.

Evelina's face turned a deep shade of red in exasperation, tears welling up in her eyes, looking all aggrieved, "Lemmy, I was just trying to make you feel better, nothing more."

Judy was fuming, "Lemira, don't bite the hand that feeds you. So what if your score is a bit higher? Let's see you become the top student in the entire city, then talk!"

The boys, always quick to jump to a damsel's defense, chimed in, "Lemira, sure, you're smart and good at video games, but that's no reason to put others down. Evelina meant well." Lemira's lips curled into a cold smile, "That's just who I am. I don't need her pity."

Evelina sniffled, "Let's not fight over me, guys. I know Lemmy's upset about her grades, and I totally get it."

Jessica was livid, "You get it? My foot. Stop playing the saint here! Remember the stationery mix-up? That must have something to do with you!"

There had been rumors about a top student who bombed their exam, which drastically affected the overall score.

After hearing Evelina mention Lemira's stationery mishap, she suspected Evelina might have sabotaged her.

Evelina put on an innocent face, "Jessica, you're breaking my heart. I didn't prepare Lemira's stationery. Something going wrong only means she had bad luck on her part." Lemira should get a low score. As long as her scores suffered, Evelina could rest easy.

Lemira let out a scornful laugh, "Who said I did poorly?"

She didn't want to steal the spotlight, but she couldn't let this fake angel get away with insulting Jessica.

Evelina was puzzled, "Lemira, no need to pretend. We all know."

Judy pressed, "If you did well, then how many points did you score?"

Lemira barely lifted an eyelid, "Don't know."

"Ha! 'Don't know?' Who are you trying to fool? Everyone's seen their scores by now."

Jessica was a bit surprised, "There's one scenario where you wouldn't know your score - if it was shielded."

Lemira leaned against the table casually, the picture of nonchalance and calm.

Evelina glanced at Lemira, feeling uneasy. No way, Lemira had to be lying.

Judy was skeptical, "Lemira's just saving face. After all, no one knows her actual score."

Evelina felt the same but seeing Lemira so composed, she doubted herself. Evelina ventured, "Lemmy, L know you've been working hard

these past few months, and you net

grades have improved. But good grades aren't everything, you don't

have to burden yourself th don't

much.

No need to brag."

Right after Evelina's comment, Jessica retorted, "Are you jealous, Evelina? Everyone's seen Lemira's capabilities. Maybe she really outdid herself and got her scores shielded."

Judy countered, "But we all know Lemira's usual grades. How could she suddenly do so well that her scores got shielded, making it into top 50 of the city?"

the

Most people in the room were dubious.

That was when the teacher burst in, beaming, "Looks like everyone's here! Today, my treat, in honor of the top scorer."

The moment these words were uttered, the classroom exploded,

"Oh my God, the city's top scorer is from our class?"Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

"We haven't had a top scorer in our school for ages. Who could it be?"