Giselle sprang up instantly, eyes shining. “Okay!”
As she passed Cyrilla on purpose, she straightened her back.
The classmates who usually followed Cyrilla’s lead stared, confused.
Once Loyce and Giselle left, someone finally asked Cyrilla, “What’s going on? She doesn’t seem close to you at all. She’s close to Giselle. Didn’t you say Giselle was just some farm kid? How does she know someone like that?”
Cyrilla’s stomach twisted with hatred. Loyce had humiliated her in front of everyone.
But she recovered fast. She put on an awkward, hesitant look. “It’s probably… because of the tutoring.”
“TUTORING? What tutoring?”
Her two closest friends jumped in immediately, talking over each other. “Cyrilla used to study with that woman. She told the Shapiros she was some genius, but she’s not.”
“Her grades were dead last for three years. She only got into college because someone paid for it. How could she possibly tutor Cyrilla in advanced courses?”
With backup, Cyrilla sighed like a martyr. “I told Lucian I could self-study, but he insisted. When he found out Loyce lied about her education, he hired a new tutor. Loyce probably thinks I’m trying to push her out, so she’s… emotional.”
She paused, then forced a brave smile. “Anyway, I handled it badly. If she’s mad at me, I deserve it. Don’t go stirring drama.”
A girl nearby curled her lip. “Cyrilla, you’re too kind. That Loyce is obviously trying to get close to Lucian. And if Giselle keeps studying with her, she’ll stay at the bottom forever.”
Someone snickered. “She’s already at the bottom. She can only get worse.”
“Alright,” Cyrilla said brightly, reclaiming control. “Back to your seats. Monthly exams are coming up. Focus. Also, my birthday’s soon. I’ll invite everyone.”
“Yesss!”

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