Chapter 19
It was a late night for Cordelia as she poured over her books, tackling problem after problemn in preparation for the upcoming math competition. The consequence was a late start the next morning
Seeing her yawning and bleary–eyed, Loma, her ever doting stepmother, packed a breakfast sandwich for her to eat on the go. “Sweetie, even if it’s for the math competition, don’t push yourself too hard Health comes first she said, her voice tinged with concern
Cordelia nodded in agreement as she grabbed her backpack
Juliana, who had finished her breakfast of pancakes and bacon, couldn’t resist a side comm
people should know their limits. Acing one test doesn’t mean you’re cut out for the big leagues Theard about yesterday’s mock exam. You were at the bottom of the barrel again,
Ignoring Juliana’s barbs, Cordelia took her breakfast and headed out the door
Latham had told her the day before that she had made significant progress and just needed to avoid a few advanced problem–solving methods. That meant more practice, of course.
Juliana followed Cordelia to the door, insinuating. “You’re not just in it for the math competition, are you? What’s your real intention?”
Without a word, Cordelia climbed into the car.
Juliana tried to continue the conversation, but Cordelia had already leaned against the window, eyes closed, seemingly asleep. The soft curve of her eyelashes cast shadows on her cheeks, and her lips glistened slightly.
A weird urge to shatter that serene image took hold of Juliana for a moment.
The car stopped as usual in front of Midnight Scent, the local place where Cordelia often grabbed a bite before school. Having caught up on her sleep, she stepped out with her backpack just as Juliana, who had held back her sarcasm for the entire ride, couldn’t help but sneer again, “You know, if you don’t score well in the upcoming Galaxy Math Whiz Competition, Latham is going to kick you out of the math competition prep group. Don’t set your sights on things that aren’t meant for you.”
Cordelia paused, sighed, and turned to face Juliana, saying, “I remember you’re in the physics competition, right?”
Juliana’s heart skipped a beat, defensively asking, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Cordelia looked away, her voice indifferent, “Nothing.”
She adjusted her slipping backpack and walked into Midnight Scent, leaving a puzzled Juliana behind.
Inside, Everard was already lounging at the small diner–style table, with legs that seemed too long for the space, casually resting on the table’s edge. His sharp features softened in a lazy smile as Cordelia sat down.
When Cordelia sat down, Everard picked up a piece of toast, and Calvert dared to eat it.
The three men were silent and soon finished breakfast. As Calvert cleaned up, he asked Cordelia, “So, how did you feel about that fight yesterday?”
Cordelia looked at him for a couple of seconds before responding. “It was interesting.”
Calvert was speechless, then he heard Cordelia adding, “We can practice a few more times in the future.”
As he saw Cordelia’s gaze turn towards him, he quickly said, “I’ve got things to do and can’t spar with you!”
She looked a bit disappointed but then turned to Everard.
Everard leaned back and raised an eyebrow, expecting a sparring invitation, but Cordelia drifted her gaze away
after a few seconds.
Everard was puzzled. Wasn’t he good enough?
Cordelia has already commented on Everard in her heart. He was too good–looking and showy, not as stocky and resistant as Little Fang
As Cordelia prepared to leave for school, she suddenly stopped and said to Everard, Tomorrow’s the weekend, and I’m going to my grandfather’s. What should we do?”
Skipping a day’s meeting with him wouldn’t cause heartache, would it?
Everard chuckled his voice smooth, “Girl, you seem to have some misconceptions about dating. It’s not necessary to see each other every day. If you miss me, just think of me, or better yet, call me.”
Cordelia’s eyes lit up at the idea that daily check–ins weren’t mandatory.
“Just so you know” he added. If you pass by here on your way to school and choose not to see me, that’s a different story
Her excitement faded a bit as she took out her cell phone, a gift from Sanderson. She asked for Everard’s number
After jotting it down, she said, Tm off to school.”
Everard was left wondering why she didn’t call to exchange numbers.
Upon arriving at Greenmeadow International School, Cordelia noticed an odd shift in her classmates‘ behavior. They were avoiding her. Unfazed, she entered the classroom to an abrupt silence.
The whispers started as she sat down. “Juliana said she crossed Yates for Merry…”
“She’s toast!”
The Delaney family is ruined because of her!”
Confused, Cordelia unpacked her books, trying to understand what was happening.
Then Merry, face painted with makeup and chewing gum, approached her with admiration and excitement. La
Cordelia looked up, and Merry leaned in, her demeanor completely changed from yesterday’s fear. “Lia, actually. Yates isn’t as unreasonable as people say.”
Okay, Cordelia replied, unconvinced, as she braced herself for whatever was to come next in the unpredictable social landscape of high school.
Merry understood Cordelia’s aloof nature and didn’t take it personally. She kept the conversation going with a playful tone, ‘Lia, I caught your fighting skills yesterday, and now I’m pretty sure the instructor at boot camp taught me some watered–down version! How do you throw those punches?”
Cordelia pondered Little Fang’s advice and replied earnestly, “…Fast, fierce, and precise.”
Merry burst into laughter, gesticulating as she spoke, “Got it! The essence of fighting, speed is king!”
And power.” Cordelia silently added in her mind, then tuned out Merry’s chatter, diving back into her concentration on the Olympiad math problems.
Time always flew when you were studying. Before she knew it, the afternoon classes were through.
Cordelia was gearing up for her Olympiad prep course when a wave of collective gasps swept through the classroom.
Confused, she looked up and spotted a burst of eye–catching and brazen red at the door.
There stood Yates from the night before, his posture casual but his expression tinged with impatience, scanning the room as if searching for someone.
Flame No. 1 caught sight of Cordelia first and pointed out, “Yates, over there!”
With that cue, Yates, followed by Flames No. 2-4, made a beeline into the classroom, while Flames No. 5-7
13.07
hung back at the door.
They moved down the aisle, their presence commanding. Yates, in particular, with his intimidating air, caused the students lining the path to turn pale and instinctively shuffle aside, clearing a path.
Juliana, sitting in the first row, saw this and her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Here it came! The showdown!! She had been certain Yates wouldn’t let things slide so easily, and now here he
was.
But what she didn’t anticipate was…