The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 924

By now, anyone with half a brain could figure out what was going on.

Beck’s face twisted with an emotion that words couldn’t capture.

“I was just talking,” Olivia jumped in, pretending she was innocent. “Don’t take it so seriously, Beck.”

“Come on, the competition’s about to start.”

Beck forced a smile, but it was obvious he was already spiraling.

“Alright.”

Olivia walked behind him, and when she saw how down he looked, she couldn’t help but let a little smirk slip.

If she couldn’t get to Charlotte directly, she could still mess with Shirley.

Shirley and Charlotte were so close. If something happened to Shirley, Charlotte would feel it too.

Charlotte had taken her spot and got to be Mr. Lane’s student, all high and mighty. Today, Olivia was going to make sure Shirley lost face in front of everyone.

***

The competition was a written test.

There was still half an hour left before it started.

Charlotte headed backstage, looking for Shirley.

Shirley was hunched over a desk, pen in hand, frowning as she scribbled in her notebook.

Parrish and Stella didn’t want to bother her, so they stepped out onto the balcony to chat. The only one left nearby was Andrew.

Andrew sat with his chin propped up, just staring at Shirley, totally entranced.

Her eyes were huge. Did she eat a lot of grapes as a kid or something?

Her skin was so pale. Maybe it was from all the milk she drank.

She was even prettier than before…

She looked amazing when she was focused…

Shirley was too wrapped up in her work to notice Andrew acting weird beside her.

Then suddenly, there was a sound at the door.

Andrew glanced up and met Charlotte’s eyes. She was giving him this look, like she’d just caught him in the act.

He jerked upright, blushing so hard his ears went red.

“I think I get it.”

She picked up a pen and started explaining, sketching out diagrams and notes. After about ten minutes, Mr. Lane’s eyes lit up. “Even Dr. Cole didn’t get it as clearly as you just explained!”

Charlotte laughed.

“With your talent, you really should be in the physics department,” Mr. Lane said with a sigh. “If you were, Dr. Cole would be crazy about you.”

“Maybe,” Charlotte replied, lips curving up. “But I think Dr. Cole would probably like Shirley even more.”

“Shirley’s hardworking and always eager to learn,” Mr. Lane said, his tone more serious now. “This exam is tough. Whether she wins or not will come down to luck.”

Charlotte took a sip of tea, calm as ever. “She’ll be fine.”

Mr. Lane smiled. “How can you be so sure?”

“Dr. Cole told me in a dream,” Charlotte said, straight-faced as she set down her cup. “Shirley’s going to be an amazing physicist.”

Mr. Lane just stared at her.

Had Charlotte always been this good at talking nonsense?

Dr. Cole told her in a dream? Why not just say she was Dr. Cole herself?