The Returned Heiress Who Had It All (Cassia) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28 The Unexpected Genius.

Danica shook her head. “It’s fine. I don’t think I did that badly.”

She was one of the top students in class. If she didn’t do well, others would probably do worse.

“I knew you’d crush it. You’re my idol,” Tyne said, flattering her.

“Cut it out,” Danica laughed, giving her friend a playful glare.

+20 Free Coins

Then Tyne leaned closer and asked skeptically, “Hey, do you think Cassia didn’t even know how to answer the questions? Maybe that’s why she turned in her paper so fast?”

“Who knows?” Danica said, her tone full of sarcasm. “But I’d bet you’re probably right.” She lowkey hoped Cassia would get a zero.

“If that’s true, our class average is going to tank because of her,” Tyne complained. “That’ll make the gap between us and the honors class even bigger.”

Danica snorted. “Come on, we saw this coming the moment she transferred in.”

Meanwhile, Tom returned to the teachers‘ office with a thick stack of test papers in his arms. He noticed Lilian and Selena chatting near the window. Their voices dripped with sarcasm.

Just as Tom sat down, he overheard Selena say, “I heard Vego University just released its early admission list. I wonder which students are good enough to get in?”

Selena spoke with confidence. If one of her students made it to Vego University, she’d be walking on air as the homeroom teacher.

Everyone would be dying to get on her good side.

Lilian felt a sting of irritation. “Early admission, huh? As if any of those spots would go to my class,” she thought bitterly.

Hmph! Disgusting! Selena knew exactly what she was doing. This bitch is rubbing salt in my

wound.

She forced a smile and mocked bitterly, “Ms. Parker, you’re being modest. Brie and Kaleb are ranked among the best in the city. What’s there to worry about?”

Selena chuckled in that smug, fake way of hers. That was exactly the reaction she wanted.

The truth was, Lilian’s class was far behind Selena’s. Ever/since that transfer student joined, the gap has only grown wider.

As for Selena’s students? They were the stars, always first or second in the entire grade, with perfect grades and perfect manners.

No wonder Selena walked through the halls like she owned the place.

What was the point of being jealous? Lilian thought bitterly. After all, I’m the one stuck teaching the trash class.

1/3

6

O

Chapter 28 The Unexpected Genius

+20 Free Coins

“Ms. Reed, don’t say that,” Selena said with a fake smile. “Your students might surprise you. Maybe there’s a hidden gem in your class. You never know, right?” Every word was dipped in sarcasm, sharp and precise, like needles piercing straight into Lilian’s chest.

She knew Selena was mocking her, and that made it sting even more.

But Lilian didn’t fight back. What was the point? No matter what she said, it would sound weak.

So she just gave a faint smile and replied calmly, “Thanks for your encouragement.”

Selena let out a cold smirk before she turned and walked away.

Tom hadn’t said a word. He was quiet and serious by nature. A man who spent his whole life buried in textbooks and math problems, not gossip.

Still, hearing the women’s exchange made him sigh quietly. He shook his head. Why did everything have to turn into drama? Weren’t they all here for the students? How did a simple conversation end up turning into sarcasm and mockery?

Tom couldn’t figure it out, no matter how hard he tried.

He let out a breath and went back to his grading.

Cassia had been the first to turn in her paper, so he decided to start with hers.

He picked up her test and began marking.

Three minutes passed. Then five. When the other teachers looked over, they saw him frozen in place, staring at the paper.

No–he wasn’t just staring. He was stunned.

How is this possible?

He blinked and looked again, then again.

The hand holding the red pen paused midair, his expression growing more and more serious. He turned the paper over, checked it over and over again like he was trying to find a mistake somewhere.

His odd reaction caught the attention of the other teachers in the office.

Lilian frowned and asked, “Tom, what’s wrong?”

Tom had been at the school for years–one of the senior teachers everyone respected.

“By the way,” he asked sternly, glancing up from his desk, “Ms. Reed, how’s that new transfer student in your class doing?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify