Chapter 61
The kids in Beau’s class were all envious of him.
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Meanwhile, at Sunny Side Diner, Merida was devouring a stack of fluffy paticakes. She then picked up her glass and gulped down her orange juice.
She ate with such enthusiasm that a nearby elementary schooler, wearing a bright red hoodie, grabbed another bite of his syrup–drenched toast and stuffed it into his mouth.
Seeing that Merida had finished her breakfast, Elara handed her a wet wipe. “Come on, let’s head to school.”
The brightness in Merida’s eyes dimmed instantly at the mention of school. Elara, who was always sharp, immediately sensed the change in her daughter’s mood.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mommy, I don’t really like school anymore.”
Elara asked, “Did something happen?”
Mérida shook her head. Lately, she just noticed that other kids didn’t like playing with her as much. But she didn’t want to worry Elara by telling her.
“It’s nothing! Even though I don’t like school that much anymore, I still have my good friends there. Being with them every day makes me happy!”
Even though Merida hadn’t said anything specific, Elara could tell something was off.
Summit Academy was an elite school, and children were often influenced by their parents. Their attitude toward Merida had clearly shifted.
Elara hailed a cab, and as they got in, her phone rang. She answered it quickly.
“Hello, is this Ms. Elara Jones?”
“Yes, this is her.”
“I’m calling from the Advanced Logical Intelligence Mathematics Competition Committee. Congratulations! You placed first in the preliminary round!”
Elara was dumbfounded.
“First?” Was there some kind of a mistake?
The staff member sounded excited. “Yes! Ms. Jones, your score was 89!”
Elara had intentionally held back on her answers, yet she still ranked first? With only 89 points?
Were there really no strong contenders in this year’s ALI Math Competition?
“Ms. Jones, according to the information you provided, you graduated from Hawke University but have spent the past seven years as a full–time housewife. The committee is quite intrigued by your performance.
“Additionally, a journalist from Gingham TV has caught wind of your story. They’d like to interview you. Would you be available?”
Elara glanced at her daughter before saying, “I’m on my way to drop my daughter off at school.”
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Chapter 61
The staff member perked up. “Which school does your daughter attend?”
“Summit Academy. She’s in the senior kindergarten class.
Elara heard rapid typing coming from the other end of the call.
Then, the staff member asked, “The Gingham TV journalis would like to do a short interview with you at the school entrance. Would that be alright?”
Elara looked at Merida. Her daughter had no idea what was happening. She simply gazed at her with wide, innocent eyes.
At that moment, Elara made up her mind. “Yes, I’d be happy to do the interview.”
After hanging up, she gently stroked Merida’s soft hair. “Merida, Mommy won’t let anyone look down on you. I will do everything in my power to change our fate!”
Beau hopped off Niamh’s motorcycle. Several of his usual playmates were already waiting for him at the school gates.
As soon as they saw him, they greeted him in unison. “Good morning, Mr. Beau!”
It was a title Niamh had taught them. Beau let out a smug little huff and strutted over with his head held high. Just then, one of the kids pointed behind him, as if they had discovered something shocking.
“Why is Bambi coming to school in a cab?”
Beau and Niamh both turned around. Sure enough, Merida and Elara were stepping out of a yellow cab.
For these rich kids, private cars were the standard mode of transportation. Seeing a classmate arrive in a cab immediately sparked disdain.
“Ew! She took a cab? Bambi must smell awful!”
Niamh scoffed, unable to hide her contempt as she took in the sight of the yellow cab. Without the Fisher family, Elara really had become a broke nobody.
She knew that Harvey’s 60 million had been frozen by the regulatory commission. How many more times could Elara afford to take a cab?
She figured it wouldn’t be long before Elara had to resort to using a shared bike to take Merida to school.
