She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 18

Loyce looked at Quiana. “The bet still stands, right?”

A strange unease crawled up Quiana’s spine. She couldn’t read Loyce anymore, couldn’t predict her. Still, she kept her voice gentle. “If it makes you feel better, I’m fine with it.”

Byron’s eyes were cold. “Let’s see what kind of score you can get.”

Loyce sat down, picked up her pen, and began under everyone’s gaze.

The dean timed her. Byron stood beside her, scanning the test with open contempt. Even he didn’t understand parts of it. If Loyce scored a twenty, it would be more than he expected.

Quiana glanced over the questions too. The difficulty was so high she could barely even parse what some of them were asking. She couldn’t help saying, “Loyce, don’t be stubborn. We all believe you. Don’t force yourself.”

Byron’s tone was sharp. “She refuses to admit she cheated. This time she’ll lose so badly she won’t be able to deny it.”

Everyone expected Loyce to embarrass herself again, but as the minutes passed, things started heading in an unsettling direction.

The dean and the homeroom teacher looked at Loyce’s paper, and their expressions shifted in a way that was hard to read.

Quiana was good at reading faces; she sensed trouble and spoke up again. “Loyce, I really wasn’t trying to take Keegan from you. You don’t need to be mad at me.”

She was trying to distract her.

Byron frowned. “Quiana’s talking to you. Can’t you hear her? Where are your manners?”

Loyce lifted her eyes. “Do you not see I’m taking a test?”

Byron scoffed. “Like you’ll do well anyway.”

The principal realized he’d just been led around by the Sampson siblings and cleared his throat awkwardly. “Now that the truth is clear. Loyce earned first place on her own. I’ll make sure this is corrected publicly.”

The dean added, “The people who slandered Loyce should apologize to her in person.”

Quiana immediately said, “Loyce, when did you become so amazing? You must’ve been studying secretly at home. But we had no idea. Byron came right away to help you today. He really does care about you.”

Byron tried to stop her. “Enough. Loyce won’t understand.”

“That ‘care’ you can keep,” Loyce said with a cold laugh. “Don’t spin stories. Apologize.”

“And one more thing.” She looked at Keegan. “Don’t forget the bet.”