Chapter 87
Turning down a job like that… must mean he’s not hurting for cash.
Charlotte scrolled through the chat, her lips curling into a small smile. There was a sparkle of mischief in her bright eyes. Fifty million, just to lure her out? Please. People were always using hacker bounties as bait, hoping to drag her into the open. There was never a shortage of folks who wanted her gone for good.
If they upped the price a bit, maybe she’d consider it. She could always pretend the danger didn’t bother her and take a quick job.
She logged out of the site without a second thought.
Andrew, finally recovered from his earlier shock, caught the hint of a smile on Charlotte’s face. He stared for a second, then blurted out, “Charlotte, what’s so funny?”
She gave him a cool look, her expression turning all serious in an instant. “Kids shouldn’t ask so many questions.”
Andrew frowned. Wasn’t he older than her? Did she really just talk to him like some kind of grown-up? He wasn’t having it.
He started to say something, but before he could get a word out, Charlotte tossed a worksheet in his face. She yawned, looking bored out of her mind. “Go study. Stop bugging me.”
She turned away, leaving Andrew’s protest stuck in his throat. Why did he always go so soft around her?
…
After class, Charlotte got called to the office.
Eleanor sat at her desk, eyes gentle as she watched Charlotte standing there- perfect posture, pretty face, looking every bit the model student. Still, Eleanor frowned.
“Charlotte, I’ve given this a lot of thought. Aiming for second place in the grade just isn’t realistic. How about I talk to Mr. Lee for you? If you apologize, maybe we can just let this go, okay?”
With her grades where they were, there was no way. Expulsion was almost certain.
Charlotte lifted her head at Eleanor’s words, her clear eyes turning cold. “No.” She said it quietly, but there was no room for argument.
“You’re really not afraid of being expelled?” Eleanor sounded worried.
“I won’t be expelled.” Charlotte straightened, her gaze steady one Eleanor “I know you put yourself on the line for me, standing up to Ronald Lee. That couldn’t have been easy.”
“I’m not worried about myself
“I know,” Charlotte said softly. “Ms. Adams, you know how Ronald Lee is. If Lapologized now, he wouldn’t forgive far He’d just find another me.
reason to make things worse. You’d
only have a harder time with him
later.”
“I get all that, but Charlotte, how are you supposed to get second in the whole
grade? It’s just not possible.”
“That’s my problem, not yours.”
Charlotte clasped her hands behind
her back, sounding totally
Howard can it be? it’s just a test.”.
Eleanor was speechless for a moment. If it was really that easy, why were they even
having this conversation? This kid was just impossible.
With a sigh, Eleanor waved her off. “Fine, do whatever you want.”
“Okay.” Charlotte gave a polite bow and walked out.
“Oh, one more thing Eleanor suddenly called after her. “There are a lot of rumors about you on the school forum. Has it bothered you at all?”
“Not really,” Charlotte replied, sounding completely at ease, like it was none of her business.
Eleanor could only watch her go, more confused than ever. She really didn’t know what to make of this girl.