While Maria was trying to calm herself down, she didn’t forget to provoke Helen. Helen was now keeping a close watch on the entrance of County East High School every day. Finally, she spotted Whitaker Scarlett’s figure and quickly reported:
“Aunt, she’s here at school!”
The one holding the books was Whitaker Scarlett.
Her clothes were neither new nor old, but she was different. She didn’t have the same stupidity as Helen in the past. She had become much more composed. The frivolousness and impatience had disappeared, revealing Whitaker Scarlett’s full beauty.
That girl was too good-looking.
A dark look flashed in Maria’s eyes. Regardless of whether the elders liked it or not, it was an undeniable fact that men liked vixens.
Whitaker Rosalie was wary of Whitaker Scarlett stealing Walter Janson’s heart, and this attitude had also infected Maria. If Whitaker Scarlett got into college, would Walter Janson change his mind?
Maria tore off her apron. “Helen, stay here and help out in the shop. I’m going to have a few words with Scarlett.”
Maria wanted to see for herself what that little bitch was thinking.
…
“Scarlett’s here?”
Peter, the gatekeeper of County East High School, was easily swayed by small favors. Plus, Whitaker Scarlett had always been polite to him. He returned the favor by being quite friendly to Whitaker Scarlett.
Peter told Whitaker Scarlett with concern that her cousin had been loitering around the school gate, looking like she wanted to ambush her.
Whitaker Scarlett understood and slipped a pack of “Colorful Butterfly” cigarettes that she happened to have in her pocket to the gatekeeper. Peter lowered his voice and said, “I saw Principal Ben ‘s wife eating at Maria’s the other day.”
Whitaker Scarlett’s eyes flickered. “Maria’s is the only shop around here.”
Peter wasn’t just saying that for no reason. Never underestimate a gatekeeper. They see everyone who comes in and out every day. Their ability to investigate and gossip is second to none. When he said that Principal Ben ‘s wife was eating at Maria’s, he was implying that Maria’s had a connection with Principal Ben .
So they were going through Principal Ben ‘s connections.
Whitaker Scarlett understood. No wonder Principal Ben had personally met with her last time… but considering her exam scores, even if the principal didn’t like her, he wouldn’t show his dislike on his face. Whitaker Scarlett hugged her books tightly. Good grades were her protective charm. With her own strength, how could she be hurt by the rumors of a few gossipy women?
“Scarlett, is that really you?”
Whitaker Scarlett hadn’t even stepped into the school when a surprised voice sounded behind her.
She didn’t even need to turn around. There were many awful people in the Whitaker family, and Maria wasn’t a blockhead, she was a drama queen—the world owed Maria an Oscar. But Whitaker Scarlett didn’t want to indulge her. She simply pretended not to hear and ran into the school in a few steps.
Maria had prepared so many words, but they all fell flat. Why wasn’t Whitaker Scarlett following the script?
“That’s my niece… she’s quite pitiful.”
Under the gaze of Peter at the gate, Maria couldn’t ruin her image, and her face was full of concern for Whitaker Scarlett.
Peter stared at her for a long time, then, thinking of the Colorful Butterfly cigarettes in his pocket, nodded in agreement:
“She is quite pitiful. She can’t even study in peace. Someone said she was her cousin before, but she actually came to say bad things about her. Which relative are you of Scarlett’s classmate?”
Maria’s face turned red and purple.
Where did County East High School find this gatekeeper? He was so annoying!
If Rosalie was here, she would definitely be able to drive this stinky gatekeeper away. Maria gritted her teeth. She could run away, but she couldn’t hide. She would keep watch, and Whitaker Scarlett would eventually come out of the school.
Whitaker Scarlett hurried to school every time she came.
Discussing difficult problems with teachers from various subjects, collecting papers, participating in school tests—this was the routine every time she visited County East High School. But this time seemed a bit different; the teachers were more amiable towards her. During the breaks between lessons, it just so happened that several students, not knowing who noticed Whitaker Scarlett first, seemed to deliberately pass by the office window to greet her:
“Scarlett, you’re back at school again?”
“Scarlett, I have some notes here, do you want them?”
“Scarlett
Whitaker Scarlett was completely baffled.
She didn’t know any of these people.
George laughed heartily and enlightened her: “They’re all from Class 3; you’re not familiar with them, right? But everyone is grateful to you for bringing the papers.”
This time, Whitaker Scarlett had brought another batch of test papers.
The students at County East High School had more papers to work on, yet no one complained. In this day and age, having papers to do was something to be thankful for; no one would complain about too many test papers, and no one was clamoring to reduce the burden on students. Without these papers, without repeated practice, how could they compete with students nationwide?
Whitaker Scarlett found it unexpected, “Just for some papers?”
“That’s not just it.”
George’s expression turned serious; every point was a step towards a brighter future. People like Whitaker Scarlett, who selflessly shared, were rare. Empathy led students to actively lend notes to Whitaker Scarlett. She thought she was casually handing over the collected practice papers to the school, unaware that she had thrown a stone into a calm lake, creating ripples that calmed the restlessness among the examinees.
