The group chat for Class 19 was a mess. Screenshots were flying everywhere. Thanks to one teacher’s post and everyone’s wild guesses, it felt like everyone had already decided that Lydia’s perfect score on the finals had to be because she cheated.
Kylie was so angry her hands were shaking.
“These students don’t even deserve to be in the same class as Lydia. They’re just jealous she’s better than them.”
Lucinda looked around nervously, then said, “Mom, don’t get so worked up. If those score reports are real, then… well, my sister’s results…”
She trailed off for a second, then added, “I’m not saying I don’t believe in her, I just want to know if the results that teacher posted are legit.”
She didn’t have to finish. The message was obvious. If those results were real, then no matter how hard Lydia worked, there was just no way she could have gotten a perfect score.
Mr. Norwood frowned, deep in thought. “Let’s ask Lydia herself. Hear what she thinks.”
Garrett jumped in before anyone else could speak. “Grandpa, it doesn’t matter what she says. We already trust her. Lydia didn’t cheat. If people online want to make a big deal out of this, let them talk. Once we have proof she’s innocent, we’ll show everyone just how wrong they were.”
Mr. Norwood nodded. “You’re right.”
Lucinda looked uncertain, her gaze lingering on Garrett. “Garrett, I mean, what if… what if she can’t prove it?”
What she really meant was, what if Lydia actually did cheat?
Garrett just smiled. “I believe she can prove everyone wrong.”
Lucinda couldn’t help but scoff on the inside. She just didn’t get it. Even Lydia’s teacher and classmates were speaking out against her, yet her family was still so stubborn. Why were they so sure Lydia really earned that perfect score?
Connor’s serious expression softened. He held the strawberry ice cream up to her lips. “Have a try. It’s melting.”
He had actually waited in line under the blazing sun just to buy it for her. Not that Lydia needed to know that.
Lydia took a bite, smiled, and nodded. “It’s really good.”
Connor felt a wave of relief seeing how genuinely happy she looked. He’d been worried the rumors online might get to her. Sure, she was L—brilliant and street-smart, used to all the tricks people pulled online—but at the end of the day, she was still just eighteen.
If he could, he’d have dragged Ms. Santoro out himself. She had no business being a teacher.
“Alright, let’s eat first,” Lydia said, calm as ever. “Let those people online talk. The longer they stir things up, the better it’ll feel when the truth finally comes out.”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back
Olha a história bem boa só algumas coisas são chatas ( nesse tipo de história sempre troca as filhas pela a da empregada ou então pegam uma menina pra criar) pelo menos eles tratam a filha bem só enche o saco que até agora a Lucinda tá lá enchendo ! Fora isso tá bom Connor é um fofo a família dela a ama muito só Lucinda pra abaixar o nível do livro já era pra ter resolvido isso e fazer ela pagar mais tudo bem li um livro chinês que era parecido só algumas coisas diferentes ,ais mesma coisa tipo ela salvou o Connor no início lá ela salvava o avô dele , no chinês ela não tinha um irmão mais novo com os pais adotivos , a mãe dela tinha 2 irmãos e todos os avós estavam vivos mais história quase igual e tem coisas tipo o triângulo que lá TB tinha até a Lucinda que no chines TB ficou o livro todo aprontando só no final a família descobria e se livrava dela aí ela ia morar com o cara que ela usa pra disfarçar que não gosta do Connor aí depois ainda quase matava a irmã dele e a mãe dele que ele via como ela era...
thank u for the upload...
the next chapter is exciting...
the next upload is exciting. i cant wait....
Every chapter is missing a sentence from the end of every chapter. It’s frustrating to try guess what’s missing or said...
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