The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1602

“It’s just…” Pandora casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes on Shirley growing colder. “People like her, the ones who live off others, never make it far. They’re bound to crash and burn sooner or later.”

Andrew heard her and, out of nowhere, felt a surge of disgust for someone he’d always been indifferent toward. This was supposed to be the virtuous, lovely, kind-hearted girl his dear mother kept pushing at him? He couldn’t see any kindness, just a whole lot of phoniness and mean-spiritedness.

“Her?” Charlotte picked up on what he was thinking, quirking an eyebrow in Andrew’s direction.

He nodded, his face a complicated mix of anger and embarrassment. “Charlotte, remind me to have you write me a prescription sometime,” he muttered.

“Hm? For what?”

“To cure my mom’s terrible eyesight.” Andrew didn’t even try to hide his sarcasm.

Stella just stared, totally speechless. Parrish had nothing to add. Honestly, Dorothy’s people skills were kind of a joke.

“Enough. Sit up.” Charlotte put her phone away and focused on the stage, her tone firm. “This part matters. Let’s not distract her.”

Andrew gave Pandora one last frosty look, then let it drop.

After about twenty minutes, a sudden “Task Complete” chime echoed through the hall, breaking the tense silence.

Everyone spun around, eyes searching for the source. And when they caught sight of who’d finished, the crowd erupted with gasps, their eyes practically popping out of their heads.

They were both his students, but he chose Shirley, not her. Was it just because Shirley had connections, like Dr. Cole? All those years Karan had worked her butt off, and suddenly, she was beaten by someone with the right background?

The longer she stewed, the tighter she balled her fists, her eyes burning with jealousy and anger. She’d promised herself—if she couldn’t get the exchange student spot, no one else would either.

Half an hour later, the competition ended.

On the live rankings, Shirley’s name flashed at the top of the list. Karan had finished too, but she was five minutes behind. The official results would be announced in ten minutes.

If Shirley didn’t mess up her procedure, the exchange spot was basically in the bag.