Chapter 78

Evelyn Laurent's gaze was icy.

She stared at Sophia Lowell's hypocritical face, feeling nothing but disgust.

This so-called cousin had been making snide remarks about her since the moment she walked in.

"Country bumpkin." "Bottom-ranked loser." "Ill-mannered brat."

Every word from Sophia's mouth carried venom, yet she pretended to be innocent.

The other students in the classroom began whispering, casting sidelong glances at Evelyn.

Then Evelyn smiled.

She rose slowly and walked toward Sophia.

"Since you love spreading rumors so much," she said softly, "how about a bet?"

Sophia instinctively took half a step back. "W-what kind of bet?"

"On the midterm results." Evelyn pulled out a stack of test papers from her bag. "If I score lower than you, I'll kneel and apologize in front of everyone."

She paused, her eyes sharpening.

"But if I score higher..."

Sophia's face paled.

She knew Evelyn's grades had improved drastically recently.

"I-I won't bet with you!" Sophia waved her hands frantically. "You're just some—"

"Then shut up." Evelyn cut her off coldly. "If I hear one more word from you..."

Her hand suddenly lifted.

Sophia shrieked and dropped to her knees.

The classroom fell silent.

Everyone stared in shock.

Evelyn looked down at her. "Apologize."

Sophia trembled, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I-I'm sorry..."

Just then, the classroom door opened.

Ethan Sullivan walked in with a stack of textbooks, his gaze landing on Sophia kneeling on the floor.

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes lingering on Evelyn for a second.

Sophia's face turned deathly pale.

The person whose opinion she cared about most had just witnessed her humiliation.

"Evelyn..." She clutched at Evelyn's sleeve. "Please forgive me..."

Evelyn shook her off without a word and returned to her seat.

Ethan cleared his throat and stepped onto the podium.

The classroom erupted in squeals.

"It's Ethan!"

"Oh my god, he's so handsome!"

The girls blushed with excitement.

Only Sophia remained on the floor, biting her lip hard.

She glared at Evelyn's back, her eyes filled with venom.

That bitch did this on purpose!

She waited until Ethan arrived to humiliate her!

Evelyn seemed to sense it. She glanced back and gave Sophia a knowing smile.

Sophia shuddered, nearly collapsing again.