“So this school nurse’s office was built just for you? Ahhh—!”
Gasps and squeals of admiration crackled through the air like fireworks.
Kelly remained calm and composed. “Hayes Corp places great importance on talent development. You all might get your chance too.”
It was Friday after school. The entire senior class was lined up for physicals to prepare for the SAT.
Outside the nurse’s office, students were queued up by class.
Class 1 stood smug and proud. “This school nurse’s office was built by Hayes Corp specifically for Kelly. You’re all getting free checkups thanks to her!”
Peyton practically had her tail in the air, beaming with pride.
“Peyton, don’t say that. Hayes Corp built this for Haven High School,” Kelly corrected modestly.
“Haven High School meaning you. Why else would they come all the way here to build a nurse’s office?”
“Come on, Kelly, don’t downplay it. Taylor has his own lab. A school nurse’s office is the least you deserve!”
“Who said this place was built for Kelly?” Lilian from Class 3 stepped forward. “Celeste also made it to the final round of Hayes Corp’s evaluation!”
Kelly’s heart skipped. She turned to look at Celeste.
Celeste met her gaze with open challenge.
As the saying went, there wasn’t room for two alpha females in the same pack—especially when both were itching for a fight.
Kelly and Celeste were both academic goddesses, and their rivalry at Haven High was intense. People were constantly comparing them.
From their test scores to their guardians.
They were both consistently ranked fifth in the year—Kelly backed by Taylor, Celeste by Indigo.
Even though Kelly always scored higher, Taylor was the school’s king, and Indigo fell a little short. That meant Celeste actually had more clout than Kelly around campus.
This time, Kelly had thought she’d finally gain the upper hand thanks to the Hayes Corp shortlist—until Celeste was announced too.
Kelly pressed her lips together and kept up her goddess act. “Congratulations.”
Celeste smiled back. “Congratulations to you too.”
They turned away from each other simultaneously—neither backing down.
The mood around Building A suddenly shifted.
Someone whispered, “I heard Evervale City had three finalists. Two are already here. Who’s the third?”
Right then, Serena arrived—fashionably late.
Class 1 was at the front of the line, Class 19 at the very end.
She didn’t stop by Class 19.
She walked straight to the front.
Zayden was speechless. I think you shouldn’t even be here!
He stared at her for three full seconds, saying nothing.
Serena spoke again. “I don’t have many strengths, but I do hold a grudge.”
Zayden was really speechless. Could you be any more obvious about your threats?
Who would accept such a blatant threat? Especially a double PhD with Hayes Corp backing him. Everyone from Building A thought Zayden would throw Serena out and ban her from the checkup.
They were all ready to enjoy the show. Rowan was already preparing to plead for his desk mate.
But then Zayden said, “Class 19 goes first.”
Building A students were speechless.
Building B students burst into laughter. They couldn’t hold it in.
By the time Class 1 finally got their checkups, it was past 8 p.m.
The class that should have received the most privilege ended up waiting the longest. Some of them were questioning their life choices.
“Serena is seriously cursed. Even the nurse caves to her threats!”
“Right? I’m so hungry my stomach condition’s acting up!”
“Kelly, you have to report this to Hayes Corp. A school nurse who makes elite candidates wait all night? Unbelievable!”

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