Chapter 20
The servant returned quickly with the rest papers and delivered them to Noelle’s study upstairs..
Jumping straight to senior year tests? What is that girl thinking!” Kimberly muttered, glancing nervously toward the staircase.
Leia also thought Noelle was out of her mind but kept up her usual facade. “Mom, maybe Noelle’s been studying all these years. You should have a little faith in her, she said with a forced smile
“Leia, you’re still defending her, huh? Just admit it–Noelle out of her mind,” Damon said bluntly.
“Damon…” Lela pretended to scold him, though inwardly, she couldn’t agree more.
Eli, however, stayed quiet. He thought the whole thing was ridiculous, but Damon’s harshness made him hold back.
“Seriously, what’s up with her? Does she think she’s a genius or something! he wondered.
An hour and a half later, Shiloh and Noelle came downstairs.
Bouncing into the living room, Noelle spotted Eli and the others. “Oh, everyone’s here! Eli, I’m starving. Let’s have roast chicken,” she said, waving cheerfully.
El rolled his eyes
Kimberly, ignoring Noelle’s antics, turned to Shiloh with concern. “Ms. West, how did Noelle do on the tests?”
Shiloh seemed dazed. She blinked a few times before replying mechanically, “Mrs. Anderson, your daughter is extraordinary. I don’t think there’s anything left for me to teach her.”
Kimberly froze, her mind jumping to the worst conclusion. Did Noelle frustrate Ms. West so much that she’s giving up?” she wondered.
Lela nearly burst out laughing but held it in. Wow, Noelle. You actually outdid yourself. I thought it would take a day to scare off Ms. West, but you managed it in half the time!” she thought.
“Noelle, look what you’ve done, Damon said, clearly annoyed.
All the Anderson children were supposed to be outstanding, but now it seemed like Noelle had embarrassed the family. If people heard their tutor had walked out, it would be humiliating.
“What did I do?” Noelle asked, genuinely confused. She thought they’d be impressed, not upset,
Hi, his expression dark, stepped forward and pinched Noelle’s check. “Noelle, what did you say to upset Ms. West? Apologizel
“Ow! Why should I apologize!” Noelle protested, rubbing her cheek. She didn’t understand why they were all acting so strangely.
Before things escalated, Shiloh quickly stepped in “Wait, there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not
not upset. Miss Noelle Anderson is exceptional. “She just took senior year mock exams and scored perfect marks in every subject. With her current ability, she could easily top any test.”
The room went silent.
“What?” Kimberly’s voice broke the silence, a mix of shock and joy. “Ms. West, are you saying Noelle got perfect scores in every subject?” “That’s impossible, Damon said flatly, staring at Noelle as if she’d grown another head. “Her Noelle
Leia’s lips trembled, her mind racing. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing
“Is this real?” Eli asked, stunned but starting to feel a flicker of pride. If it was true, Noelle might actually join him and Leia at Eston University Under their astonished gazes.
Noelle puffed out her chest and put her hands on her hips. “I told you I’m smart! Senior year tests! Piece of cake!”
“You must’ve memorized the answers beforehand.” Damon said, still unwilling to believe it
“I did not” Noelle pouted indignantly.
Damon turned to Shiloh, looking to her for confirmation.
9:25 AM
Chapter 20
Shiloh had considered this possibility. After Noelle finished the mock exams, she gave Noelle extra questions she couldn’t have prepared for Noelle answered all of them perfectly, clearing any suspicion of cheating.
“Well Miss Noelle Anderson’s scores are entirely her own.” Shiloh said with a nod
Damon was left speechless.
Eli quickly turned to Kimberly. “Mom, if Noelle’s already at this level, why not pull some strings and get her into Eston University?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Kimberly said, nodding enthusiastically. Til talk to your father as soon as he’s home”
She still couldn’t wrap her head around it–her daughter, who had dropped out of middle school, had not only caught up but also completely aced senior year material
The news of Noelle’s perfect scores quickly spread through the Anderson family.
“Really Noelle got perfect scores? Vincent asked, surprised.
ally? Noelle
Adriel nodded thoughtfully. “If someone like Shiloh confirmed it, then there’s no way she cheated.”
Bennett looked at
at Noelle with a curious smile. “So this little one’s a genius, huh? You’d never guess just by looking at her.”
cool. “Guess you really can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Charlie leaned back, his tone c
Damon, sitting off to the side, sulked in silence.
Eli unable to contain his excitement, turned to his father. “Dad, even though admissions are closed, we can still get her into Eston University, right? A donation should do it.”
Damon scoffed, “Do you think that’s just a donation! Getting her in would cost at least two buildings–that’s over 3 million dollars.”
“So what?” Eli shot back. “Didn’t Dad spend more than that on your car when you joined the racing team!“
“How is that the same?” Damon snapped. “I’m a world champion racer in my first year of racing. Can she pull that off?”
“Enough” Vincent cut in, his voice firm.
He prided himself on his children’s accomplishments, and while he hadn’t thought much of Noelle before, her positive attitude–and now her academic achievement–had earned his attention.
Looking at the family, Vincent declared, “If Noelle has the ability to succeed, she deserves the best opportunities. I’ll have someone arrange her admission tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dad!” Eli grinned and turned to Noelle, who was busy munching on roast chicken. “Hey, stop eating and thank Dad?”
Noelle paused mid–laite, wiped her hands, and smiled brightly at Vincent. “Thank you, Dad!”
“Yeah,” Vincent replied. Whether it was because of Noelle’s perfect scores or not, he now found even her sauce–covered face endearing. “Well done. Noelle.
Noelle beamed. “It’s all because of you and Mom. You’re both so smart, so of course, I’m smart as well!”
Kimberly cluickled. “This girl’s words are sweeter than honey”
Vincent laughed, clearly pleased. “Since you’re heading to university, go shopping tomorrow. My daughter can’t go out looking second–rate “You’re the best, Dad!” Noelle said, flashing another wide grin.
“Good girl” Vincent nodded approvingly.
Leia, ignored on the sidelines, clenched her fists. Her heart burned with anger as she glared at Noelle.
That brown–nosing brat. And Mom and Dad just eat it up! How shallow can they be? she
That night, after getting ready for bed. Noelle called her fiancé. Nicolas, to share the news.
As soon as the call connected, her voice bubbled with excitement. “Nick! Guess what? I’m going to Eston University soon! Dad even let me go shopping tomorrow. He says an Anderson can’t lose face.”
On the other end. Nicolas’s smooth, elegant voice came through, laced with amusement. “Shopping, huh?”
“Yep!” Noelle chirped.
“Which mall?” Nicolas asked casually.
“Mom said we’re going to Ishuman Financial Center, she replied
“Got it,” he said
Noelle’s tone turned hopeful “Nick, are you coming?”
There was a pa
a pause before Nicolas spoke again, his voice playful Do you want me to come?”
“Of course!” Noelle answered without hesitation.
“But I’m really busy tomorrow. I probably won’t make it,” Nicolas teased.
He imagined Noelle would be disappointed. Though he couldn’t see her. he could picture her dejected, pouty expression
To his surprise, Noelle’s response came just as quickly, her tone completely casual. “Oh, you can’t! That’s fine then”
$:25 AM
