Chapter 289

He knew better than anyone just how fragile Grandpa’s health was. If Lydia hadn’t been there when things got bad, the outcome could’ve been so much worse.
Lucinda pressed her lips together, looking like she’d just been scolded. “I get it. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Alright, let’s have breakfast,” he said.
The mood at the table was awkward, a little heavy. Garrett tried to break the tension and turned to Lucinda. “Hey, Lucinda, after all this talk, you still haven’t told us what you scored on your exams.”
Lucinda straightened up, her confidence returning. She tossed a sly look at Lydia, who was quietly sipping her cereal. “Lydia, did you get your results? Was it a perfect score?”
Lydia glanced at her for a second, then went back to her soup, not saying a word.
That silence made Lucinda think Lydia must have bombed the exam. Lucinda’s smirk grew. “Even if you didn’t get a perfect score, it’s fine. As long as you can get into Oakwood College or Capital College, that’s good enough.”
Lydia finally looked up, her eyes clear and calm. “I’m not planning to apply to Capital College or Oakwood College.”
Lucinda felt even more sure Lydia had failed. She couldn’t help feeling proud of herself. “Then which school are you applying to? Is there anywhere better than those two?” Fınd the newest release on ~net
Kylie tried to smooth things over. “Lydia, it doesn’t matter what your score is or which school you pick. We just hope you’ll be happy.”
Cameron nodded. “Exactly. The college you go to doesn’t decide your future. Go wherever you want, your mom and I will support you.”
Lydia was about to speak, but then the butler rushed in, out of breath. “Sir, Madam! Great news!”
Everyone froze. Cameron looked at him, a little amused. “Let me guess, the schools are here again?”
With four geniuses in the house, it wasn’t unusual for universities to come calling after finals. The butler always looked flustered when it happened.
“Yes, lots of people showed up! Even some from overseas! They said our family has the top scorer in the finals!”
Lucinda jumped up, her voice ringing out. “Top scorer?”
The butler nodded, still excited. “Yes, the top scorer!”
Lucinda knew she’d done well, but she’d never dreamed she’d actually be first. She could barely believe it. “DaMom, did you hear that? I’m ̧
top scorer content
Cameron and Kylie were over the moon. No wonder Lucinda said they
underestimated her. She was the top scorer.
“Lucinda, what was your score?” Cameron asked.
Lucinda finally let it out, her face glowing with pride. “Seven hundred thirty-five.”
Everyone went quiet. Seven
buty
thirty-five? It was an impressive score, but was it enough to be the top? After all, her brothers were all geniuses Blake and Arthur Had been a perfect scorer, and Garrett and Elliot had topped his year with seven forty-seven and seven forty-eight.
Garrett glanced at Lydia, who was still calmly sipping her cereal, and asked the butler, “Did they say who the top scorer is?”
The butler hesitated. “They just said Miss Norwood. They didn’t mention a first name.”
Cameron smiled. “Why don’t we go see for ourselves?”
Lucinda felt a rush of irritation. Did Garrett still not believe in her? She’d scored seven thirty-five, and the exams were tough this year. Was it so impossible for her to be the op scorer? Why did Garrett still doubt her? Did he really think Lydia, of all people, was the one?
Kylie smiled at Lydia, who was quietly wiping her mouth. “Lydia, do you want to come with us?”
Lydia gave a small smile. “You go ahead. I’ll stay here.”
Before Kylie could say anything else, Lucinda jumped in. “Mom, maybe she didn’t
do so well. If she doesn’t want to go, don’t force her.”