Chapter 76

Sophia Lowell slumped over her desk, shoulders trembling slightly.

"I was just standing near the senior during the experiment..." she sniffled. "She didn't notice me and accidentally bumped into me..."

Outraged murmurs erupted around her.

"How is this Sophia's fault? That senior wasn't paying attention!"

"Exactly. Sophia would never block someone on purpose."

Several boys nodded in agreement.

The corners of Sophia's lips twitched upward before she quickly suppressed it. She buried her face deeper, voice laced with feigned remorse. "The senior was probably focused... I shouldn't have stood so close..."

"Are you sure it wasn't intentional?"

A cool voice cut through the chatter from the doorway.

Sophia's head snapped up. Evelyn Laurent leaned against the doorframe, her black athletic jacket making her porcelain skin glow.

"Evelyn..." Sophia's expression faltered. "Of course I didn't—"

Evelyn smirked coldly and strode to the front row.

The classroom fell silent.

All eyes followed her slender figure.

After a hesitant pause, a few girls gathered the courage to approach Evelyn.

"Sorry..." A ponytailed girl murmured. "We shouldn't have believed those rumors online."

"You're actually amazing..."

Evelyn blinked in surprise.

She hadn't expected apologies.

"It's fine." Her voice softened. "We didn't know each other before."

"Your smile is gorgeous!" the ponytailed girl exclaimed.

Another girl with short hair stepped forward. "I'm Lillian Rothschild! Can we be friends?"

Evelyn stiffened at the sudden warmth but nodded.

"Perfect!" Lillian beamed, grabbing her hand. "Can I ask you for help with assignments?"

"Sure."

Encouraged, other classmates swarmed around her.

"Me too!"

"I want to be friends!"

Surrounded by genuine smiles, something inside Evelyn quietly melted.

So this... was how friendship felt.

At the other end of the room, Sophia clenched her pen so tightly her nails nearly pierced her palms.

Watching Evelyn bask in the spotlight, a shadow flickered in her eyes.