In the crowd, someone suddenly blurted out such ament, which turned Yvette''s face as dark as coal from her seat at the back of the ssroom.


    Back when the Nelson family was in its prime, she gave them so many benefits, and they flocked to her like dogs, seeking her favor. That time after the piano performance, Joe presented lowers to her on stage, making the audience cheer a lot.. Their photo was pinned at the top of the school forum for a whole week, and countless people congratted them on being the perfect match of looks and talent.


    Shakira was just temporarily basking in the spotlight. Yvette thought, These fair-weather fake friends weren''t even worthy to carry my shoes. Yet now they dared to trample all over my reputation?


    Yvette hung her head low, hiding in a corner where nobody could see her, with her face twisted with dark emotions. Next to her, Berry didn''t look much better. Walter had done her a huge favor, helping her parents bring her into the summit venue. That day, she put a lot of effort into dressing up and looked morous. But their seats were arranged in the back rows, a world apart from Walter in the front row. The distance between them was like heaven and earth.


    She could only sit in a spot where no light could reach, watching from afar as Shakira descended like a fairy and became the center of attention with a piano piece, earning praise and photo opportunities with the four esteemed seniors People around praised how lucky the Nelson family was to have such an extraordinary daughter who brought honor to the family. Even her parents sighed, wishing they had a daughter as outstanding


    God knows, Berry was nearly driven mad with jealousy back then. She thought, "What kind of parents did I have?'' They ignored her all her life, only regretting she wasn''t a son to carry on the family name, yet they wanted another daughter. Berry thought, "What is so great about Shakira? She got into Mr. Lopez''s bed and used his influence for these empty titles. If she had been the one to win over Mr. Lopez, she would be one ten thousand times better than Shakira. Compared to the lively atmosphere in the ss, the dark, moody vibe between Yvette and Berry was clearly different. When Xanthe got pushed away from Shakira, she instinctively looked their way. She almost couldn''t stop herself fromughing. If being locked in a room before the performance was a breakdown, then this moment was fantastic for her. Yvette totally had iting.


    X


    folded her arms, unable to get in to see how Shakira was doing, so she turned her focus to the two of them instead. She said, "Hey, why''s it so quiet around you two? Didn''t it used to be all lively with a bunch of fanboys?"


    Xanthe purposely sat at the desk right in front of them, turned around, and rested her chin on her hand with a wide grin. Her expression was dripping with sarcasm.


    Yvette gave her a calm look and suddenly said, "Xanthe, if I were you, I wouldn''t beughing."


    Even if Xanthe wasn''t the sharpest tool in the shed, she could tell that Yvette was trying to drive a wedge between her and


    Shakira


    Xanthe''s smile grew even bigger. "Really? It''s normal for you not tough since you''re just too bitter to handle your friends being better than you. But I''m different. As long as you two pitiful creatures are having a hard time, I''m perfectly content." Yvette was lost for words.


    So''was Berry.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Xanthe kept adding fuel to the fire. "Aren''t you upset, Yvette? You tried to sabotage muy spot intentionally. Luckily, Shakira


    B.


    stepped in. Wow, even her random improvisation sounds much better than your meticulously practiced piece."


    "The ancient saying is quite true-a dragon begets a dragon, a phoenix begets a phoenix, and those begotten by rats are good at digging holes. I guess that you are good at digging holes. She chuckles." Yvette''s face suddenly changed, and she leaped up abruptly, waving her hand. "Xanthe-


    "ss is starting, and hurry back to your seats." The head of the grade walked into the ssroom, signaling everyone to


    return to their seats.


    Yvette felt a jolt of fear and quickly lowered her hand, looking around and worrying that someone might catch a glimpse of her losing her temper and showing a sidepletely different from her usual self. Xanthe sneered, made a funny face at them and strutted back to her seat next to Shakira. "Shakira, you''re really making me proud.


    Finally getting some fresh air, Shakira, unaware of the earlier drama among the three, tilted her head in confusion.


    Shakira thought, Was Xanthe trying to add me to her family tree or something?"


    The head of the grade briefed them on the end-of-semester matters and then moved on to the main focus of the meeting.


    "This semester, you''llplete all your general courses. After the new year, in the next semester, you''ll focus on your major- specific courses andpany internships."


    The head of the grade noticed the students'' excitement and paused slightly, ready to reveal the most anticipated part


    She said, "Mr. Jensen has approved thepanies for our junior year internship program."


    "They are major yers in the city like the Lopez Group, emerging firms like Yonder Digital, along with the Nelson Group. the Jennings Group, the White Group, the Clifton Group, the Banks Consortium, and other well-known small to medium-sizedpanies in Crescentville."


    As soon as this was said, the whole ss eximed together.


    "Wow. Both the Lopez Group and Yonder Digital are on the list? Our neighbor school is gonna be so jealous


    "It''s not just that. We''re the only ss at Crescentville University to be granted ess to Lopez Group''s resources this time.


    Seriously, everyone knows how hard it is for graduates from top schools to get into the Lopez Group. So many people have failed. We''ve hit the jackpot this time."


    "Even if you don''t stay with the Lopez Group after your internship, having that experience on your resume is much better than just a degree from any top university." "The Lopez Group making an exception this time must be because of someone''s hard work."


    "Come on, spill the beans. Who''s this


    is someone? Say her name out loud."


    The whole ss burst intoughter, teasingly turning their gaze to the front where Shakira sat.


    Shakira was speechless.


    She truly had no idea about that.


    Hey face was filled with a helpless calmness,pletely unaware that Yvette and Berry at the back were ring at her with eyes almost burning with fire.


    The head of the grade shook her head with a chuckle. Normally, she''d have disciplined such behavior, but this time...


    08:28 Fr, Nov


    Though no one mentioned it openly, everyone knew. It was 99% because of Shakira that Mr. Jensen was able to secure the internship program with the Lopez Group.


    *Alright, everyone has an equal chance at the internship opportunity. Your future is in your own hands. The order of drawing lots for the spot will be decided based on this semester''s average grades. If you want to join the Lopez Group, then study hard for your finals and aim to win the spot," The ss responded loudly and in unison, "Okay,"


    After ss, the entire grade was buzzing with talks about the internships, making for a lively atmosphere. The school forum was also busy, with the topic trending in red for the day.


    Many alumni who had already graduated, along with some fresfumen and sophomores, flooded the thread with crying emojis. Theym