Chapter 77

The classroom atmosphere froze abruptly.

Sophia Lowell's fingers turned white as she clutched her skirt, her nails nearly digging into her palms.

She glared at Evelyn Laurent surrounded by admirers, her chest heaving violently.

"Sophia, maybe..." her best friend began hesitantly.

Sophia violently shook off her hand, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.

"Evelyn." She suddenly smiled sweetly, her voice crisp as morning dew. "I was wrong to judge you by appearances earlier."

She sauntered toward Evelyn, her skirt swaying gracefully.

"But..." Sophia lowered her voice to a whisper only Evelyn could hear. "Do you really think this means you've won?"

Evelyn arched an eyebrow, watching her with amusement.

A sharp slap echoed through the room.

Sophia collapsed onto the floor dramatically, clutching her cheek with teary eyes. "Evelyn, I already apologized. Why did you hit me?"

Gasps filled the classroom.

"Hit you?" Evelyn scoffed. "With acting skills that bad, you should audition for drama school."

"Enough!" The class president slammed his desk. "Evelyn, don't push your luck!"

Several boys immediately formed a protective circle around Sophia.

Evelyn glanced around, then smiled.

She leisurely pulled a voice recorder from her bag and pressed play.

"...Do you really think this means you've won?" Sophia's venomous whisper filled the silent room.

The air turned to ice.

Sophia paled, her lips trembling wordlessly.

"Keep performing." Evelyn toyed with the recorder. "I've got plenty more where that came from."

A quiet chuckle came from the doorway.

Everyone turned to see Ethan Sullivan leaning against the frame, twirling car keys.

"Perfect timing." His gaze swept the room lazily. "What a scene."

Sophia's tears vanished instantly as she frantically smoothed her skirt.

"Ethan..." she called timidly.

He walked straight past her, draping his jacket over Evelyn's shoulders. "Let's go. Professor Klein wants you."

Pausing beside Sophia, he added without looking back: "Oh, Professor Zhou asked me to tell you - the research team roster needs reevaluation."

Sophia staggered back as if struck.

Evelyn turned, giving her a knowing smile.

As the door closed, Sophia's hysterical scream pierced through.