Chapter 583
The headline-Charlotte, Top of the Class with a Perfect Score—sat front and center on every major news site.
It had only been thirty minutes since the results were posted, and the comment sections were already blowing up.
“First place is already amazing. A perfect score? That’s unreal.”
“She’s incredible. Does anyone have a photo? I need to see what she looks like!”
Someone replied right away.
“[Image.JPG]”
The photo showed a stunning girl with delicate features and a cool, effortless vibe. She was in her school uniform, holding a carton of milk, sitting quietly at her desk. Charlotte wasn’t wearing any makeup, her skin was fresh and fair, and somehow even the ugly school uniform looked good on her. There was something about the way she sat and looked at the world, like she didn’t quite fit in and honestly didn’t care. All confidence, all edge.
“I’m declaring right now-she’s my new crush.”
“This isn’t fair. She’s got the brains and the beauty!”
“She’s so pretty. With that face, she could blow away half the celebrities out there.”
Charlotte scrolled through a few more comments, but she lost interest pretty quickly. She set her phone down and glanced at Anthony. “This is so boring.”
Anthony smiled, gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and said, “Let’s go upstairs and get some rest.” He shot the others a look. “Keep it down, alright?”
Everyone instantly zipped their lips and nodded like kids caught by their teacher.
With their college plans settled and nothing else to do, Andrew and Parrish lounged on the living room sofa, deep into a game. Shirley, with nothing else on her schedule, had curled up with a physies book Andrew noticed and reached over to pull her closer.
“Shirley, come on. We’ve already graduated. Why are you still working so hard?”
Her cheeks turned pink. She replied softly, “Mr. Lane’s research is tough. If I don’t prepare, I’ll fall behind.”
Mr. Lane hadn’t even planned on taking a student, but Charlotte had asked for her. Shirley couldn’t let Charlotte down.
“Take a break or you’ll fry your brain.” Andrew put his hand next to hers, then grabbed her wrist and gently tugged her onto the sofa beside him. “Come here, I’ll teach you to play.”
Shirley let herself be pulled over, sitting awkwardly, like a little doll. Andrew and Parrish’s excited shouts echoed around her. She ducked her head and touched her wrist where he’d held her. Warmth crept up her cheeks and spread to her ears.
It was late afternoon. Sunlight poured through the windows, filling the room with a golden glow. A faint, sweet scent hung in the air, making everything feel peaceful and perfect.
Charlotte slipped out of her outer
clothes and climbed into bed, pulling a thin blanket over herself and wrapping one arm around Anthony’s. Anthony wasn’t sleeping He sat at the edge of the bed and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, his eyes full of quiet affection as he watched her.