?<strong>Chapter 1396:</strong>


    That thought alone reassured her, easing any concern she had about the video ount. Instead of worrying, she simply hit the follow button.


    But that very night, when Lilyana returned home from school, something was different. The usual air of confidence around her was gone, reced by a pensive silence. Her eyes held a distant look, as if her mind were tangled up in something.


    Madisyn picked up on it immediately. Over dinner, she gently asked what was wrong, but Lilyana simply shook her head and muttered, “It’s nothing.”


    Later that night, unable to sleep, Madisyn logged into the video app and sent a message to her daughter’s ount.


    “Yana, why didn’t you post a video today? I was really looking forward to it.”


    She wasn’t sure if she would get a response, but to her surprise, Lilyana replied not long after.


    “I’ve been pretty busy with studyingtely, so the videos might be on hold for a while.”


    Right after that, Madisyn noticed Lilyana had gone offline.


    That reply didn’t sit right with Madisyn. There hadn’t been any major exams orpetitions recently, and Lilyana had already skipped a grade ahead. She had long mastered the middle school curriculum—so what kind of academic pressure could be weighing on her now?


    Madisyn’s concern lingered. After some thought, she poured a ss of warm milk and walked over to Lilyana’s bedroom, knocking softly on the door.


    Lilyana answered almost immediately. Upon seeing her mother, she blinked in surprise. “Mom? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”


    Madisyn offered a small smile. “I saw your light was still on, so I thought I’d check on you.”


    “Come in.”


    As Madisyn entered and took a seat, her eyes instinctively drifted toward the open book on Lilyana’s desk.


    But it wasn’t some advanced academic material—it was aic book, full of vibrant, passionate illustrations.


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    Lilyana stiffened for a moment before shing a sheepish smile. “I was just about to go to bed after finishing this chapter.”


    “Okay.” Madisyn chuckled knowingly. “It’s normal to take a break from studying and unwind with a book. I understand. Tomorrow’s Friday. After school, you and your brother don’t need to rush home. Tell the driver to take you somewhere nice to have a little fun.”


    Lilyana’s face brightened. “Thanks, Mom.” She leaned in and hugged Madisyn, her voice soft with gratitude.


    They chatted for a while longer, and once Lilyana finished her milk, Madisyn waved her goodnight before leaving the room.


    Alone in her room, Lilyana found herself appreciating her mother’s warmth tonight. But her thoughts kept circling back to the new transfer student—Cn Archer. He had only arrived today, yet he already seemed to outshine her. His grades were outstanding, his looks even more so, and his presence in the ss had been nothing short of captivating.


    Lilyana clenched her jaw slightly. She had worked hard to earn her reputation as the school’s top student, but now, out of nowhere, someone else was stealing her spotlight.


    Lilyana, who had always worn the title of “number one” with ease, was now experiencing something unfamiliar—a spark ofpetition flickering to life for the very first time.


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