Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 253

"I will, Ms. Vance.

Aren't you an award-winning educator in the city? Your name sounds incredibly familiar."

"I am, actually.

Could we exchange contact info? You're a very unique student, and I really admire you."

"Sure."

Right at that moment, Liora and the others walked over.

"It looks like your friends are here. Hurry up and grab some lunch, then review your materials for the afternoon.

Don't stress over the exams you've already taken."

With those parting words, Ms. Vance walked away.

"Mira, how on earth do you know Ms. Vance?"

Liora asked.

"I didn't. We just met.

You seem to know her well, though?"

Mira looked curious.

"She's an award-winning educator. Melvion City News did a whole segment on her. Everyone knows who she is! Have you been working yourself into a daze?"

Celine nodded in agreement.

The group chatted amicably as they made their way toward the cafeteria.

"I rarely watch television."

During lunch, Liora and Celine asked about Elara's father, eagerly offering all sorts of advice on how to help out.

None of them brought up the exams or compared their performance, afraid that stressing over the answers would ruin their focus for the afternoon.

In truth, Mira's mind was completely occupied with Solflare Hearth & Grill.

Yesterday, they had run a forty-percent discount, and everything had sold out before noon. Across thirty branches, they had raked in millions of dollars in revenue, but they essentially made zero profit and even took a slight loss.

It was purely a promotional move to hook customers and build brand awareness.

The academic standard at Melvion Central is easily top-tier in the state. If you're number one there, you're practically number one overall."

"Not necessarily. Last year's state valedictorian came from First High School.

Melvion Central just has a higher overall average."

"Mira has consistently scored above seven hundred on every monthly exam this semester. Even if she doesn't snag first place, she's a lock for the top ten."

Some students had even started an underground betting pool.

Bets were flying everywhere: I bet she makes top ten. I bet top fifty. I bet she drops out of the top fifty entirely—Melvion Central isn't the only elite school in the state.

The vast majority of the wagers placed her in the top fifty. Fewer bet on the top ten, even fewer on first place, and hardly anyone dared to bet she'd fall below the top fifty.

Mira chuckled. "I didn't realize I was this famous."

"Are you kidding? If you aren't famous, who is?"

They laughed over the comments for a bit until it was time to file into the exam room.

When they finally emerged after the test, countless students were groaning about how brutal the math section had been, but Mira genuinely hadn't found it difficult.