<b>Chapter </b><b>484 </b>


    Vanessa muttered<b>, </b>“She’s like a piece of gum stuck to his shoe.”


    Tina said with relief, “Thank goodness we’re not Luther.”


    Jonathan deftly steered the conversation elsewhere.


    The grocery shopping segment alone would’ve been too dull<b>, </b>so Finn set some mini–games. The cast yed as they shopped, finishing the task within <b>an </b>hour before returning to Mayen Garden.


    Vanessa keyed in the code and let them in.


    Calista swept her eyes around the room. Not spotting Aria, a flicker of delight crossed her face. She said, “Aria is not here. Should we start cooking? Luther, let’s team up in the kitchen. I’ve just mastered two new dishes. Come be my sous–chef.”


    Luther nced toward the entrance. “Aria’s back,” he announced.


    Calista’s smile vanished instantly.


    Vanessa guessed where Aria had been, gave her a knowing look, moved closer, and whispered, “Did Owen make that?”


    “Yeah,” Aria replied.


    “Quick, let me try some,” Vanessa said. Then, she suddenly shook her head. “No, there are too many people, not enough to go around. Take them to <b>Lily</b>. and Pearl first. I’ll sneak inter for a bite.”


    Aria chuckled, “Alright.”


    Luther had also guessed where Aria had been. Seeing the box in her hands, he moved closer, but Aria walked past him without a nce and went inside. “You guys handle the cooking,” she said dismissively. “I’m giving food to the girls.”


    Tina handed her the items they’d just bought. “These are for them,” she said.


    Aria took them. “Thanks,” she said.


    Tina rolled her eyes. “Don’t thank me. It’s not for you.”


    “Oh, then I take my words back,” Aria replied.


    Tina was speechless.


    As Aria entered the room, Lily sprang up excitedly. “Aria, it’s almost time to check the SAT results!” she eximed.


    Hearing this, Calista stopped in her tracks. “Oh, right,” she said, “the SAT results areing out today. My little brother also took the SAT this year. He’s always the best in his ss with straight A’s. I need to call him and ask him to check his scores.”


    Jonathan smiled and said, “Ms. Archer, you’re getting anxious. I’m sure your brother hasn’t forgotten to check his scores. There are only three minutes left. You can wait a few more minutes before calling him.”


    Calistaughed and yed along, saying, “Yeah, this whole thing’s got me all worked up too.”


    Calista cast a casual nce at Aria and, as if making conversation, asked, “Aria, which school does your sister attend? My <b>brother’s </b><b>at </b>Mar School.”


    Manxon High School was a prestigious prep school where students were either top achievers or trust fund kids.


    Aria replied coolly, “Lily attends Larkridge High School.”


    igh


    Thu 26 <b>Jun </b>


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    Calista’s smile faltered for a moment. “Larkridge High School, huh? That’s the best in Mandino <b>City</b>. Thet your sister gets straight #G


    Aria shrugged. “She’s doing alright.”


    Calista didn’t know how to respond, so she quickly changed the subject to her brother. “My brother’s estimated score is at least 1300 <b>on </b>the <b>SAT </b>said. “What about Lily? Has she estimated hers yet?”


    Aria said tly, “No. Almost time.”


    With that, Aria shut the door firmly in Calista’s face.


    Calista scoffed disdainfully and pulled out her phone. “I’m calling my mom,” she announced.


    Lily sat before theputer, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed in her exam ID and password. She exhaled a long, shaky breath


    Aria and Pearl stood on either side of Lily.


    Aria reassured her, “Don’t worry, you’ll do just fine.”


    Pearl nodded eagerly. “Lily, you’re the best.”


    Lily clicked the mouse, her eyes glued to the screen, heart pounding.


    The results page shed onto the screen.


    Her SAT score showed zero.


    The three were stunned by the score. Then they noticed the notification: [Congrattions! Your SAT score ranks among the top 50 statewide.}


    Lily covered her mouth. “My score… My score is withheld!”


    This year’s senior ss was fiercelypetitive, with several dark horses rising through the ranks and a top–scoring contender fromst year repeating his final year.


    In the final statewide SAT mock exam, quite a few students scored above 1450. Lily ranked second in Mandino City and third in the state, just several points shy of the top scorer.


    Calista’s triumphant voice rang out from outside. “My little brother scored 1350 on the SAT!”


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