Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 297

The professor realized it was best not to ask any more questions, so he nodded. “No worries. I was being a bit nosy.”

Still, he couldn’t help but think that someone with Lydia’s talent might even rival the four famous Norwood brothers.

Cameron stepped forward and handed the professor a glass of water himself. “It’s not that we don’t want to tell you. Lydia just has a unique situation. I hope you understand.”

The professor laughed, took the water, and finished it in one go. He said his goodbyes and left without sparing Lucinda a single glance.

Lucinda’s hands curled into tight fists. She was furious.

How could Oakwood College look down on her? Alright, even if they were going to begging her now, she wouldn’t go.

At that moment, a few more recruiters came back into the room. Lucinda recognized them from Goldenridge College and the University of Technology, but still didn’t spot anyone from Capital College.

“Lucinda, sorry to bother you,” one of them said. “Your scores are fantastic. Would you be interested in coming to Goldenridge College?”

Someone else chimed in. “University of Technology is a great school too. Maybe you’d like to consider us?”

Lucinda kept her polite, practiced smile. “Thank you, but I’ll need a little more time to think it over.”

How annoying. Just a few minutes ago, when they were fighting over Lydia, they listed all sorts of special perks. Private dorms, huge scholarships, so much flexibility with classes. Now, when it’s her turn, nothing. Sure, she hadn’t gotten a perfect score, but she was still one of the best.

The recruiters nodded and left, leaving Lucinda standing there, stewing in frustration.

She didn’t even want to look at Lydia. She just knew Lydia must be sitting there, grinning, feeling way too pleased with herself. Lydia, the girl who was supposed to be just average, suddenly scored better than everyone else. It was infuriating.

Cameron and Kylie were too caught up to notice how Lucinda was feeling. They hurried over to Lydia.

“Lydia, why are you always so quiet about your achievements? You got a perfect score and didn’t even say a word.”

“Dad, I really don’t know,” she said, her voice shaky and on the verge of tears. “I have no idea why the reporters are here or what they’re talking about.”

Who would do this to her? Who would send a crowd of reporters just to embarrass her? She wasn’t the top scorer. Why would anyone say she was?

Was it Lydia? She glared at Lydia, but Lydia was just quietly scrolling on her phone, not paying her the slightest bit of attention.

It had to be Lydia, right?

“Dad, Mom, someone must have sent those reporters here on purpose to stir up trouble.”

Garrett gave Lucinda a long, thoughtful look. “Before the results were officially out, did you tell anyone that you were the top scorer?”

Lucinda’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. “I swear I didn’t. I never told anyone. Unless… someone in our own family is trying to set me up.”