Percy was so thrilled that his clean, rebellious ck eyes sparkled with excitement.


    Afraid Scarlett might back out of her promise, he immediately wrote up a contract, signed his name, and then handed it over for Scarlett to sign.


    Scarlett was a bit speechless. It was rather childish, but she still signed it.


    Percy folded the agreement and tucked it into his pocket, then smugly bit the pen cap and said, "Just wait, I''m going to crush you!"


    This was just a regr elite math test, and it wasn''t going to be a challenge for Percy. When Scarlett saw him start working seriously on the problems, she smiled and quickly got to work herself.


    The students in the front row turned around in shock to see the two of them actually doing the test.


    Everyone knew Percy was the type who would sleep through exams.


    What was going on today? Was he nning to actually put in some effort?


    Someone jokingly called out to Percy to y games.


    Without even looking up, Percy snapped, "Don''t bother me!"


    To their surprise, Percy was actually being serious. Seeing this, some students who were torn between ying games and doing the test started focusing on their papers as well.


    Mike had only stepped out for a moment, but when he returned and saw that more than half the ss was working on their test papers, his face lit up with surprise and excitement.


    He knew that this group of kids had endless potential. No one should give up on them.


    At that moment, the school''s dean, Herbert, walked in. Seeing the ss unusually quiet, he pushed open the door and asked, "What''s going on in ss F? Why aren''t you in ss?"


    Mike, who was still working on his test paper, didn''t res


    immediately.


    Someone from the ss replied, "We''re doing elite math questions!"


    Herbert was surprised at first, but after scanning the room, his expression shifted to one of disdain. "So, you really are doing elite math questions... How many of you actually understand any of it?"


    He scoffed and turned to Mike. "Mr. Sawyer, I''m not trying to be harsh, but you''re wasting everyone''s time. Even if you want to find two students for thepetition, do you really need to pick from this ss? Why not just give me your two spots? ss A has plenty of students who want to participate in the Elite Math Tournament."


    His tone was full of condescension and disdain for the ss.


    Mike stood up, wearing a serious expression "Mr. Riggs, I believe these kids deserve equal opportunities. Just because they''re in a lower-performing ss doesn''t mean they should miss out on this chance. It only takes one ss period toplete the questions, and maybe one of them has what it takes topete in the Elite Math Tournament. Even if they don''t win, it''s still an opportunity to broaden their horizons."


    Herbert gave him a disbelieving look. "ss F''s math scores are always at the bottom. Don''t you see that? If you still believe in them, then keep your faith. But don''t say I didn''t warn you if you don''t get the recognition you''re hoping for, you know the consequences."


    Herbert cast a nce around the room, his eyes pausing on the students still glued to their phones. With a disappointed shake of his head, he turned and walked out without another word


    Mike''s eyes flickered with concern, but he quickly pulled himself


    together and smiled. "Don''t Wet


    everyone. Just focus on your papers Even if none of you end up qualifying, I can still choose two students from other sses."


    Some of the students who had been ying games reluctantly put their phones away and picked up their papers.


    Out of the corner of her eye, Scarlett noticed Percy flipping his test paper over. In no time, he was already ahead of her, scribbling so quickly it looked like his ballpoint pen might catch fire.


    It seemed like Herbert''s words had triggered something in him.


    In the past, Herbert had frequently provoked ss F, but back then, Percy was


    either asleep or skipping ss to go to the inte café.


    The other students were no better. They would show some temporary effort, but it was only fleeting.


    Soon enough, it was back to ying games and cking off.


    In her previous life, when Mike made his final picks, he chose her and another student from a neighboring ss.


    On the day of the tournament, it poured.


    Lily and Jonah stayed at a hotel near the test center. Scarlett couldn''t afford that, and she didn''t want to ask them for money again, so she returned to the Quinn residence instead.


    When it was time to leave, she couldn''t even find a single umbre in the entire vi.


    She ended up soaked, squeezing onto a crowded bus in the rain. By the time she finally arrived at the test center, she was already an hourte. She never even made it through the doors.


    Not only did she let down Mike''s efforts and expectations, but she also fell seriously ill because of it.