<b>Chapter </b>104
Madeline quickly scrolled through the national leaderboard on her phone <b>until </b>she spotted Summer’s score and ranking.
186 points, ranked 10th in the nation.
Had she not seen Mirabe’s score, she would’ve thought that was pretty impressive, But now… Madeline touched her nose<b>, </b><b>a </b>forced smile creeping onto her face as she said, “Wow, Summer, you really aced it too, huh?<b>” </b>
Summer’s thoughts, lost in a jumble of emotions, snapped back to the present <b>with </b>Madeline’s voice. She masked the turmoil within and asked calmly, “What did I score?”
“186 points, right at number ten nationwide.” Madeline’s voice was noticeably softer when she said it,cking the oomph she had when she mentioned Mirabe’s perfect 200 score.
Hearing this, Summer’s eyes briefly dipped in response, her tone t, “Okay.”
After her terse reply, she slid her phone back into her desk drawer and pulled <b>out </b>her physics textbook instead, burying her head in it. Her ponytail cascaded onto her shoulder, velling half of her profile from view.
Madeline watched her, her heart heavy with sympathy, wanting <b>to </b>offer someforting words buting up empty. All of this was because of Mirabe. She stole Summer’s spotlight after seventeen years, and now, she was back to rub salt in the wound with her over–the–top achievements. It was Infuriating. Why couldn’t she just stay in the honors program and keep <b>a </b>low profile<b>? </b>
Madeline was positively seething!
Meanwhile, Mirabe made a beeline for Ms. Ate’s office.
“Mirabe, I was just about to call you, and here you are.” Ms. Ate’s stern face softened instinctively at the sight of Mirabe.
Mirabe looked puzzled, “Oh?”
“Congrattions on snagging the top national rank in the city preliminaries again. You’re outstanding!” Ms. Ate couldn’t hide her genuine admiration. She recalled how Mr. Morgan, that old stickler, almost misled her and she nearly made the mistake of turning away such a promising student.
Now that Mirabe had clinched the national top spot again, that stubborn old man must be kicking himself. The thought brought a smug smile to Ms. Ate’s lips.
Mirabe was silent <i>for </i>a beat before she said, “Ms. Ate, I suspect there’s been a mistake with my BrainSpark Nationals preliminary score.”
Ms. Ate paused, “A mistake? What do you mean<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“I don’t think my score should be just 200 points. No, I’m certain it shouldn’t be just 200 <b>points</b>,” Mirabe said earnestly, her expression serious.
Ms. Ate stifled augh. “What do <b>you </b>mean ‘just‘ 200 points<b>? </b>The total is 210<b>!</b><b>” </b>
She regarded Mirabe with a mix of amusement and perplexity for a moment before asking. “So, what <b>score </b>do you think you should have?”
“Full marks!” Mirabe lifted her chin confidently.
Ms. Ate coughed, taken aback once again. Truth be told, she wanted to believe Mirabe, but she knew thepetition’s rigorous standards, and achieving full marks was nearly impossible.
“Mirabe, not scoring full marks <b>isn’t </b><b>the </b>end of the world. Don’t <b>be </b>disheartened. You still <b>ranked </b><b>first </b><b>in </b>the nation and have smoothly advanced <b>to </b>the city finals,” Ms. Ate consoled with <b>a </b>meaningful tone.
At that, Mirabe couldn’t help but give a wry smile. “Ms. Ate, it’s not about the full marks. I just want to know
<b>12:35 </b>
where those ten <b>points </b>went<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Realizing her misunderstanding, Ms. Ate chuckled and said, “Ah, I see… <b>It </b>just so happens that the folks from the Education Association are in Mr. Hammond’s <b>office </b>right now. I was supposed to inform you to drop by but <b>got </b>sidetracked. Why don’t you head over there now and <b>ask </b>them about the deduction directly?”