Chapter 160: preliminary exam results I

Chapter 160: Chapter 160: preliminary exam results I

Monday Morning

The Economics lecture hall buzzed with quiet conversation long before the morning bell rang.

Unlike the usual discussions about assignments or weekend plans, nearly every conversation revolved around the same topic.

The preliminary examinations.

"I heard Professor Hawthorne’s already finished marking all the papers."

"My roommate said the grading was brutal."

"I just hope I passed."

"If I survive Mathematics, I’ll consider this week a success."

Laughter rippled through the lecture hall before quickly dissolving into more speculation.

Near the middle of the room, Vivienne sat with Claire, Amelia, and Eleanor.

Amelia rested her chin on one hand.

"So..."

Claire smiled knowingly.

"So?"

"What do you think you got?"

Claire considered the question.

"Eighty-eight."

Amelia immediately narrowed her eyes.

"You’re lying."

Claire looked innocent.

"I might be."

"You absolutely are."

Vivienne laughed.

"You two really don’t trust each other at all."

"We’re competitors," Amelia replied matter-of-factly.

"Trust has nothing to do with it."

Claire nodded in complete agreement.

"Exactly."

Vivienne looked toward Eleanor.

"And you?"

Eleanor thought for a moment.

"If I didn’t make any careless mistakes..."

"I should be satisfied."

Claire smiled.

"That’s the most Eleanor answer imaginable."

"And you?" Amelia asked, turning to Vivienne.

Vivienne shrugged.

"Economics?"

"I think I did well."

"Confident."

Claire observed.

Vivienne smiled.

"It would be rather embarrassing if I didn’t."

Amelia blinked.

"That’s surprisingly bold."

Vivienne only laughed.

"Only for Economics."

"The others..."

She sighed dramatically.

"I’ll accept whatever fate Professor Hawthorne has prepared for me."

That earned another round of laughter.

Around them, conversations continued throughout the lecture hall.

Some students confidently predicted their scores.

Others insisted they didn’t want to know.

A few quietly compared answers from memory despite knowing it was already far too late to change anything.

Then—

The classroom gradually fell silent as Professor Hawthorne entered carrying a thick stack of examination papers beneath one arm.

Without preamble, he placed them neatly on the lectern.

His gaze swept calmly across the lecture hall.

"I imagine everyone is eager to know how you performed."

Several students smiled.

A few laughed nervously.

Professor Hawthorne adjusted the stack of papers.

"Very well."

"I’ll return the preliminary examinations before we begin today’s lesson."

He picked up the first paper.

One by one...

Names echoed through the lecture hall.

Students walked to the front.

Accepted their papers.

Some returned wearing relieved smiles.

Others looked thoughtful.

A few frowned ever so slightly before quietly taking their seats again.

The room gradually filled with the soft rustling of papers being unfolded beneath desks.

"...Miss Hartwell."

Amelia stood.

She accepted the paper with a polite nod before returning to her seat.

She looked down.

93.

The corners of her lips lifted.

"Not bad."

Claire leaned over just enough to catch a glimpse.

"I knew you were lying earlier."

Amelia smiled.

"I never said eighty-eight."

"You implied it."

"I merely encouraged your optimism."

Claire clicked her tongue.

"Next exam."

"I’m looking forward to it."

The friendly challenge passed between them as naturally as breathing.

Professor Hawthorne continued.

"...Miss Whitmore."

Claire rose gracefully.

A moment later she returned to her seat.

She glanced at the score.

92.

She nodded once.

Satisfied.

But only just.

Amelia looked over.

"I told you."

"You did."

Claire admitted.

"But ninety-five would’ve been nicer."

Vivienne stared at her.

"...You’re disappointed?"

"A little."

Vivienne laughed.

"I suddenly understand why people find honor students terrifying."

Claire smiled innocently.

"We’re perfectly reasonable."

"No."

Amelia replied.

"We’re really not."

Even Eleanor smiled.

Professor Hawthorne continued calling names.

"...Miss Hayes."

Eleanor walked forward.

Accepted the paper.

Returned quietly.

Then...

Without saying a word...

She slid it neatly beneath her notebook.

The other three watched.

Vivienne blinked.

"...Eleanor."

"...Yes?"

"Why is your paper under your notebook?"

"It isn’t."

Amelia pointed.

"It literally is."

"...I prefer not to discuss it."

Claire folded her arms.

"Show us."

"...No."

Vivienne laughed.

"Why not?"

Eleanor remained perfectly composed.

"...I’m protecting my peace."

Silence.

Then all three burst into laughter.

Amelia reached toward the notebook.

"Eleanor."

"No."

Claire extended a hand.

"Hand it over."

"...Must I?"

"Yes."

After a few more seconds of entirely futile resistance...

Eleanor let out the smallest sigh and handed the paper over.

88.

Vivienne blinked.

"...That’s a good grade."

"It is."

Eleanor replied.

"But I lost twelve marks."

Claire nodded sympathetically.

"I understand."

"So do I."

Amelia added.

Vivienne looked from one to the other.

...

These people were impossible.

Professor Hawthorne continued through the remaining stack.

Gradually...

The pile grew smaller.

Until finally...

Only one examination paper remained upon the lectern.

He glanced down at the class list.

Then looked up.

"The final paper..."

He paused briefly.

"...also happens to be the highest mark in this preliminary examination."

The quiet conversations ceased.

Several students instinctively looked toward the front.

Professor Hawthorne continued.

"The highest score is..."

"...Ninety-six."

Another brief pause.

"Miss Beaumont."

Vivienne rose calmly and made her way to the front.

"Thank you, Professor."

She accepted the paper.

Her eyes dropped immediately to the score written neatly across the top.

96.

...

As expected.

Economics had been her major in her previous life.

If she couldn’t earn a score like this against first-year Foundation students...

That would have been genuinely embarrassing.

A small sense of relief settled over her.

Good.

Her dignity remained intact.

As she turned to return to her seat...

Her gaze drifted toward the front row.

Evelyn Sinclair.

Their eyes met.

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Vivienne’s lips.

Ha.

I beat you this time.

A tiny, utterly insignificant victory...

But I’ll take it.

Anthony is yours.

Economics is mine.

...

Honestly, Vivienne.

You’re twenty-nine.

Grow up.

The smile disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.

She returned to her seat as though nothing had happened.

At the front of the lecture hall...

Evelyn watched Lady Beaumont walk away.

...

Their eyes had met.

Then...

Lady Beaumont had smiled.

A small smile.

But unmistakably smug.

Her fingers tightened ever so slightly around the edge of her own examination paper.

95.

Ordinarily...

She would have been pleased.

Today...

She wasn’t.

Not because of the score.

But because Lady Beaumont had very clearly made certain she noticed it.

...

How petty.

Evelyn lowered her eyes without another glance.

The lecture hall soon settled once more.

Professor Hawthorne closed the grade ledger before picking up a piece of chalk.

"Now then..."

"Let’s continue where we left off."

--

Tbc

AN: i know this one feels short. Haha! But let vivienne have her small victory first ^_^