novelxo Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Sanderson's face went momentarily blank when he heard the news.
It was like when Cordelia aced her exams, topping her year. He was stunned at
first, but after getting to know her life in the orphanage, he realized her brilliance
was no fluke.
After finishing junior high, Cordelia had taken to studying on her own.
But Math competition required more than just talent. They also demanded hard
work. No matter how clever Cordelia was, having just returned half a month ago,
how could she score well in such a challenging competition?
He patted Lorna's shoulder, sighing with a tinge of self-reproach. If he hadn't lost
Cordelia all those years ago. she would undoubtedly be the brightest star among
her peers.
While they were talking, Steward suddenly strode over with his hands clasped
behind his back and addressed Sanderson, “Come here, son.”
Sanderson hastily followed. “What's up, Dad?”
Steward gazed at Sanderson. “Have you got any news on that Calvert fellow?”
Sanderson shook his head.
Steward frowned. “Try harder to find him.”
“Will do.”
As usual, Cordelia got off at Midnight Scent, had breakfast, and held hands with
Everard for some time.
Lately, their hand-holding sessions were getting longer by the day. It lasted two
minutes that day, and she still felt a faint ache in her chest.
As Cordelia tuned into her body's signals, Everard leaned back on the table,
propping his forehead with his free hand. “Girl, don’t you think this wastes time?”
His voice was low and seductively charming.
Cordelia paused. “So what can I do?” she asked.
Everard's lips curled into a teasing smile, and at that moment, it seemed as if all
the light in the room gathered on his face. His features, sharp and firm, took on
an enticing glow. “I have a method that's quick and easy. Want to hear it?"
Cordelia suddenly realized what he was hinting at. She quickly averted her gaze,
answering indifferently, “No, thanks.”
Her cold demeanor didn’t provoke him. Instead, he chuckled softly, his laughter
wrapping around Cordelia’s heart, which made her throat parched.
He prodded, “Why not?”
Cordelia hesitated before replying, “I know what you're suggesting.”
Everard arched an eyebrow, “So, you're not willing to try it with me?”
Cordelia frowned as if making up her mind. “Fine.”
Everard was stunned. Did this girl agree to a kiss and embrace?
The thought barely crossed his mind when she extended her other hand. “Let's
try holding both hands at once. Maybe it'll cut the time in half.”
What the hell?
1/3
It took five seconds before Everard burst out laughing again. How could this girl
be so adorable?
Before he could respond, Cordelia was already on her feet. “That's enough for
today. Let's try it tomorrow” She slung her backpack over her shoulders, her
oversized school blazer swishing as she left.
Once she was gone, the smile on Everard's face slowly vanished, returning to his
usual cold and taciturn demeanor.
When Cordelia entered the school gates, she saw a sea of red. Flame squad
numbers one to seven plus Merry was squatting at the entrance, their red hair
quite a spectacle. Yates leaned against a nearby tree, engrossed in his phone.
Passing students steered clear of them, visibly intimidated.
Latham pedaled by on his beat-up bike and halted to shout when he saw them.
“School rules say no dyed hair, Yates. Take them and get it fixed!”
Yates ignored him.
Flame number one retorted, “Latham, we're not in your class. Mind your own
business”
Latham tried to reason with them. “You're students. I have a right to say.
He was about to launch into a lecture when Flame number one spotted Cordelia,
his eyes lighting up. “Lia!”
Immediately, the eight of them and Yates hurried over to Cordelia’s side.
Cordelia looked at them, puzzled. “What are you doing here?”
Merry quickly linked arms with her. “Today's the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition
results day. We're here to back. you up!”
Yates had said that lest the results stirred up any trouble, they'd escort her to
school so no one could get under her skin with their taunts.
Hearing that, Latham dismounted his bike and joined them, pushing it along
Cordelia. He spoke, “Cordelia, relax. Results don’t define you, and the Galaxy
Math Whiz Competition is just a warm-up. The real deal is the National Math
League coming up in September.”
Cordelia murmured, “OK”
Why did everyone think she was anxious? She wasn’t nervous at all. She thought
she'd done pretty well.
But results were imminent, so she didn’t say much more.
The group made their way to the classroom, causing a clear path as everyone
gave them a wide berth, which scuttled any plans of onlookers to interfere.
Cordelia was thus escorted safely to class and settled in for the following two
periods.
The Galaxy Math Whiz Competition results were announced during the long
break at ten.
Cordelia had just finished her exercises on the field and was strolling back to the
classroom when the clock
struck ten.
Latham was already there, a crowd huddled around Hanley, fixated on the
scoring app on his phone. “Quick, check the score! Did you enter the registration
number correctly?”
Hanley nodded and hit the search button, revealing the score of 212
“Wow!
“That's sky-high! A top-tier award!”
“Yeah, last year’s lowest top prize score was 180. Our province's top score was
only 224. And apparently, this
Chapter 34
year's test was tougher. Hanley’s definitely in the top ten! Amazing!”
Basking in reflected glory beside Hanley, Juliana glanced at Cordelia with a smile
that masked her true feelings. Feigning concern, she asked, “Cordelia, how did
you score?”
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: ) 5
Cordelia couldn't be bothered with
the buzz around her as she walked
with her head down to her seat. She
plopped down and was about to pull
out her phone to check her scores
when an unfamiliar landline number
flashed on the screen. The content is
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chapter there!
With a slight frown, she answered, “Hello?”
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The voice on the other end was
“ . . )
hasty. “Is this Cordelia Delaney? I'm
calling from the admissions office at
. : )
Greenmeadow University. We've
come across your score from the
Galaxy Math Whiz Competition.
Sul Cs
Normally, as it's an unofficial contest,
, : : :
we wouldn't consider it for direct
admission, but our Mathematics
Department is quite impressed and is
interested in offering you a special
scholarship. Would that interest
” :
you?” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Cordelia paused for two seconds before replying, “No, thanks. I'm not interested”
Greenmeadow University was indeed prestigious, a beacon of academic
excellence, but Cordelia had always set her sights on the Superiority College.
Her resolve had never wavered.
The caller tried to persuade her, but Cordelia was firm in her decision.
After she hung up, she finally opened the score—checking website on her phone.
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Merry was practically vibrating with
impatience beside her. She craned
her neck, trying to glimpse at
ro :
Cordelia’s phone as slender fingers
danced over the screen. When
Cordelia entered her registration
number and hit the enter button,
) . : . “
Merry's eyes bulged in disbelief. “Holy
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