Outside, the sunlight streamed in brightly, illuminating Shakira profile as she focused intently on her exam. Her skin was smooth, and her features were elegant and ning. Amidst the Jaughter of those mocking her, different voices began to


    emerge.


    "Why didn''t I notice before? Shakira is actually quite beautiful."


    "Yeah. She even has a beauty mark. If she hadn''t left in her freshman year, Yvette probably wouldn''t be the prettiest girl in our department. "Definitely! Shakira is way prettier than Yvette; they''re not even in the same league!"


    "Do you think she really knows the answers? She barely looked at the questions before she started writing. Even if she''s guessing, she has to think." knows? Maybe she prepared in advance for her return; otherwise, why would shee back just to embarrass herself?"


    Who knows?


    if Shakira''s back, how will Yvette survive at Crescentville University? She can''t be the prettiest girl in our department anymore, and she had copied Shakira''s designs..." shot them a a fierce re. "Yvette is making sacrifices for her family! You selfish, poor loser''s really understand nothing!"


    Hearing this, Xanthe


    As a spoiled rich kid, Xanthe enjoyed a strong position in this grade. The others'' expressions soured, but they didn''t dare confront her.


    After scolding them, Xanthe, who thought she knew the truth, turned tofort Yvette. "Don''t be upset, Yvette. Those idiots) don''t know the truth; they''re just blinded by Shakira''s pretty facel" Yvette forced a smile, clearly strained. T''m fine, Xanthe"


    In fact, Yvette was seething with rage at the thought that anyone would dare say she wasn''t as pretty as Shakira, thinking that her ssmates were a bunch of tasteless fools.


    With forty minutes psed, Shakira put down her pen and looked up at Carol, who asked in surprise, "Shakira, are you done?


    "Yeah," said Shakira.


    A gasp rippled through the ssroom. The students couldn''t believe that Shakira had finished so early, thinking that she was taking a gamble.


    Carol approached Shakira''s desk and picked up the paper. As she reviewed the questions one by one, her frown deepened


    After a moment, she called the students who had selected the questions toe forward. "Since you chose the questions, you can grade the paper."


    A group of top students gathered around to mark the exams, with Xanthe moving slowly, unconcerned. "Xanthe, aren''t you going up?" Berry asked. Xanthe remained calm and finally got up to join the group. "It''s not like she''ll have many right answers anyway..."


    She got this one right!"


    She got


    the


    one I chose correct, tool"


    "Wait, she got fourteeit questions right?"


    Hearing the stunned exmations from the top students 14


    grab


    the paper. "What nonsense are you spouting?"


    frown deepened as she pushed through the crowd to


    But secondster, Xan Xanthe''s e''s expression darkened further. When she reached thest question, which was nk, she felt utterly humiliated.


    Shakira had answered fourteen questions correctly, leaving the one she had chosen unanswered-clearly a provocation. She was telling Xanthe that even without answering the question she chose, she would still pass the test Xanthe threw the exam paper back, ring at Shakira with a mix of hatred and irritation. Shakira met her malicious gaze with indifference, raising an eyebrow, "Is there a problem?" She


    She seemedpletely careless, as if Xanthe didn''t even register in her mind. Xanthe gritted her teeth. "What''s there to be so smug about?"


    Shakira shrugged. "Why shouldn''t I be? I didn''t cheat."


    The words struck Yvette like a bolt of like a bolt of lightning.


    Xanthe stomped back to her seat angrily.


    After themotion, Carol formally announced Shakira''s return. The students returned to their seats to continue the interrupted lesson.


    For the next stretch of time, Yvette and her friends were left in torment. Finally making it to the end of ss, Yvette hurried out, determined to find Lago. She had to question him about what foolishness he had done. Suddenly, she heard S I Shakira call her name. She knew Shakira''s voice well and she detested it. gave she could


    a few steps closer to Yvette, whose body instantly stiffened. The closer Shakira got, the clearer


    Shakira, arms s crossed, took af


    see


    the familiar, hypocritical face of Yvette, which made her blood burn and her an urge to destroy everything- Shakira tightened her jaw, managing a calm smile. "Yvette, you''ve forgotten something."


    "What?" Meeting Shakira''s


    Shakira''s frosty


    gaze, an uneasy feeling washed over Yvette.


    Shakira let out a meaningfulugh. "Aren''t you going to apologize to me? How could you forget what you''ve said in front of an audience online?"


    Yvette''s pupils constricted. That b***h! How dare she? she cursed Shakira inwardly.


    Xanthe erupted, "Shakira, are you out of your mind? Yvette has already apologized! What more do you want from her?" Shakira tilted her head, pretending to think for a moment. "She apologized to me? When was that?" "Didn''t you see the video online?" Xanthe shouted. "Didn''t your parents teach you how to apologize? Shakira asked Xanthe.


    Then,


    , her gaze shifted from Xanthe to Yvette. Though Shakira was wearing a smile, her eyes were icy. "How funny, Your parents didn''t teach you how to apologize, either?"


    Yvette thought Shakira must have lost her mind, even cursing her own parents. She struggled to contain herself, her mouth twisting in anger.


    the curious stares of their ssmate


    Avoiding she lowered her voice, pleadingly asking. "Sis... Shakira, can we talk somewhere else


    35


    chatood her ground. This ce is just fine."


    @K 66%


    Yvette nearly stumbled, taking arge step to the side. Berry quickly rushed to support her. "Yvette, are you okay?" Xanthe was so angry that she raised her hand to p Shakira. "That''s enough, you b***h!" Shakira swiftly caught Xanthe''s wrist, pushing her slightly toward Yvette.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    "Argh!" Yvette screamed. In the end, it was her who got pped by Xanthe.


    The pain almost made Yvette curse them in public. She thought her friends were so useless that they were no match for Shakira.


    The students who had been yelled at by Xanthe could no longer hold back. "Hey, she just asked for an apology! Why is there even a fight?"


    "Exactly! Yvette was the one who promised online that she would apologize to Shakira sincerely. So, was that just empty talk?"


    "She''s a liar! Though she acts like she did it for her family, she is just bullying Shakira, who has no power!"


    "She''s so disgusting!"


    Yvette covered her face, and when she saw someone nearby holding up a phone, she had no choice but to give in. She squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed with humiliation. I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have used your design. It''s all my fault!" Without waiting for Shakira to respond, she buried her face in her hands and began to sob, her shoulders shaking, looking utterly victimized. "She apologized. Are you satisfied now?" Xanthe shot a fierce re at Shakira and shielded Yvette as they turned to leave. "Yvette, let''s go."


    As Yvette turned away, Shakira''s gaze was suddenly caught by a glint of something.