The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1582

Charlotte sat quietly, lips pressed together, a sense of unease creeping into her chest.

“Charlotte, since you made it today, how about you lead the class instead?” the professor suggested, a teasing note in his voice.

She cleared her throat and managed a raspy reply. “Professor, I’m definitely not as well-versed as you are. Honestly, my theory’s still shaky. Plus, I doubt anyone wants to listen to me drone on.”

“We do!” her classmates chorused, making her blink in surprise.

Charlotte hesitated, about to say something, “Professor, I was actually hoping to—”

“Alright everyone, let’s get started,” the professor interrupted, grabbing his book and diving straight into the lesson. He wasn’t about to tangle with this student, not today.

***

Cabinda University. Physics lab.

Shirley slipped into her white coat, a little bounce in her step as she walked into the lab. She spotted Karan hunched over a computer, totally absorbed in her work.

“Hey Karan, morning.” Shirley gave her a warm smile and greeted her politely.

Karan barely turned, shooting Shirley a flat, icy look. There was a flicker of sarcasm at the corner of her mouth. “It’s ten. How is that still morning?”

Her tone was freezing. It left no room for friendliness.

Shirley’s smile faltered. She frowned, puzzled and a little stung. She couldn’t figure out what she’d done wrong. Why did Karan always seem so hard on her?

“Karan, is something wrong between us?” Shirley asked softly. Since their first meeting yesterday, Karan had been cold. Shirley didn’t like feeling left out or misunderstood, so she decided to just ask.

“It’s nothing.” Karan didn’t even glance her way, just smirked as she tapped away at her keyboard. “Not all of us have time to get caught up in useless drama like you do. Guess not everyone is as lucky as you.”

Suddenly, the lab felt huge and empty. Karan stood there alone, watching the two of them leave, her hands curling into fists. The forced smile in her eyes faded quickly, replaced by a flash of panic and a colder, darker resentment.

It was so obvious. Mr. Lane clearly favored Shirley. No matter how hard she tried, Karan realized the spot for the exchange program would never be hers.

What now?

She slumped into her chair, head in her hands, trying to think. The only way was if Shirley lost her eligibility, or if something went wrong for her during the selection.

Nothing about this world was ever really fair.

If things had to get ugly, she wasn’t going to play nice either.

You had to look out for yourself. No one else would.