Chapter 237
“Really p>
Claire’s eyes sparkled, and she didn’t even try to hide her excitement.
Norris gave her a reassuring look. “The professor always keeps his promises p>
Claire turned to her friends. “I need to go see Sammie for a minute. You guys go back and get ready. I’ll come as soon as I can, okay p>
It was only five, still early. Everyone could go home, shower, get dressed, maybe wash their hair. Some students had been so focused on catching up lately that hygiene had definitely fallen by the wayside. The guys didn’t seem to care much, but the girls? They’d been pinning up greasy hair with clips, and now, if they didn’t wash up soon, they were convinced they’d start to smell.
But Claire always looked fresh, every single day. It was like she didn’t even need to spend hours studying she just got things effortlessly.
She was the type of person who made everything look easy.
“Go on, we’ll wait for you,” one of her friends called.
Claire grinned, waved, and followed Norris down the hallway. This time, he was taking her to Sammie’s private office, not the Math Olympiad Association room.
On the way, Norris kept going over in his mind how to bring up Melissa to Claire. He was still thinking about it when they reached the office.
The door was slightly open. Norris knocked, and Sammie’s voice called from inside.
“Come in p>
Norris opened the door and motioned for Claire to step in. “Professor, I brought Claire p>
Sammie looked up from behind his desk.
“Hi, Sammie,” Claire greeted with a polite smile.
“You’re here.” Sammie’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “You did great-first place again p>
He’d always believed in her talent. In his eyes, she was just as gifted as Melissa.
Claire shook her head modestly. “It’s only because the professors are so good at teaching p>
Sammie smiled, but disagreed.
“Other students improve because of good teachers. You’re different you have a gift. You pick things up the moment we explain them.
Claire looked serious. “I wouldn’t have made progress this quickly without everyone’s help p>
Sammie let it go. He liked that Claire was grateful and didn’t let her achievements go to her head. That kind of humility would take her far.
“You wanted to see Melissa’s notes, right p>
Sammie took a key from his pocket and unlocked the bottom drawer of his desk. He pulled out a stack of notebooks and papers.
“These are hers. Take a look p>
Claire reached for the stack. Tucked inside the first notebook, she found an old newspaper clipping-Melissa had made the front page for winning the IMO gold medal.
The black-and-white photo showed Melissa standing proudly in the center, a bright smile on her face. There was something about her
expression that reminded Claire net
herself. She recognized Melissa right away.
Sammie had forgotten about the newspaper, but when he saw Claire absorbed in it, he let her be.
Norris watched Claire closely, not even blinking. He wanted to see her reaction.
“She’s beautiful,” Claire said softly. “And so talented p>
Sammie’s face lit up with pride. “She really is p>
He looked at Claire, his tone gentle. “You’re incredible too, you know. Claire, are you related to Melissa p>
He glanced at Norris before asking, then fixed his gaze back on Claire. Her eyes flickered. “Why do you ask? Do you think we’re related p>
“You look a lot like her,” Sammie said, his voice warm.
Earlier that day, after lunch, Sammie had called an old friend. He’d wanted to know if the student from the physics department, who dated Melissa all those years ago had the last name James. ‘
His friend had been surprised. “You mean Agassi, right? Why are you asking about him after all these years p>
Sammie had laughed it off on the call. “Just curious. I wanted to remember who it was that stole my star student away p>