Chapter <b>91 </b>


    Emmitt’s lips twisted into a sardonic smile, finding humor in the misunderstandings of the past weeks, while simultaneously feeling exasperated by his sister’s silence despite her academic prowess. “If she had just talked to me more,” he thought, “none of this unpleasantness would’ve happened.”


    The food tasted nd, partly from wounded pride, partly from not knowing how to face Mirabe. So, when Emmitt’s phone buzzed in his pocket, he seized the excuse of urgent business and left the half–eaten meal behind<b>. </b>


    Delh, puzzled, watched him leave. “Isn’t it the weekend?” she mused.


    Shawn raised an eyebrow, his tone cryptic. “He’s Just being stubborn.”


    Delh looked at her husband, not quite grasping his meaning. Shawn just smiled and kept his thoughts to himself.


    Once downstairs, Emmitt didn’t start his car immediately but instead pulled out his phone and looked up the BrainSpark Nationals. He found the official website with ease and navigated to the scores section. He didn’t have to search long before Mirabe’s name leaped out at him, sitting at the top of the board, with a full hundred and fifty points.


    His gaze lingered on the screen, fingers hesitant, then scrolled down to see Summer’s name as well. He realized that had he not casually mentioned thepetition, and had his parents not spoken of his sister’s aplishments, he might have continued to undervalue his biological sister over his adopted one–a thought that made him ruffle his hair in frustration before tossing the phone aside and starting the car.


    Well, it was just a preliminary score, nothing to fuss over.


    Monday.


    Mirabe had barely arrived at school when she was summoned to the principal’s office.


    “Mirabe, long time no see,<b>” </b>the principal, Mr. Hammond, greeted her with a beaming smile. his demeanor both gentle and polite.


    She nodded politely, “Good morning. What can I do for you?”


    “Well, I’ve been so swampedtely, even had to travel. I’m afraid that <b>during </b>my absence, some unfounded rumors about you taking shortcuts have been circting around the school,” he said, his face darkening with concern before he continued with a hint of regret, “It’s my oversight, really. I failed to rify things with the faculty, leading to this misunderstanding. Rest assured, I will clear your name, Mirabe.”


    Mirabe looked surprised but shook her head, “No need. Wise people know better than to


    listen to gossip. Exining too much only breeds more suspicion.”


    Mr. Hammond paused<b>, </b>not expecting her indifference, but then realized that for someone of her intellect, dismissing public opinion was natural.


    “Isn’t proving them wrong with skills more satisfying?” Mirabe added with a half–smile.


    “You just…” he chuckled, shaking his head. He moved to the water cooler, poured her a ss of water, and changed the subject. “Anyway, about the uing BrainSpark Nationals, I have high hopes for you.”


    Mirabe epted the ss, thoughtful for a moment before raising an eyebrow, “I didn’t sign up topete.”


    Mr. Hammond coughed awkwardly, gesturing for her to sit as he exined, “I took the liberty of entering you into thepetition online.”