Zoe was the last person anyone expected.
Eunice’s face turned an unnatural purple, her breath hitching. Zack stiffened, his eyes wide.
“No way” Cheryl, Herbert, and Jacob gaped, voices trembling. Their faces twisted in disbelief.
The room was frozen in silence. Those who’d dismissed Zoe as a nobody now looked like their jaws might bit
hit the floor.
Zoe remained completely calm, sitting unaffected by all the commotion around her. She seemed more like an observer participant in the whole scene.
The silence was broken by Kevin’s ringing phone.
F
“Hello?” he answered, the entire class listening. After a brief pause, his eyebrows shot up. “What? You found her already? Got it.”
After hanging up, Kevin scratched his head, looking around awkwardly. “My mistake, everyone. The actual genius has already been identified, and it’s not her”
He offered a quick bow to Zack and the students. “Sorry for interrupting your class. Then he hurried out.
As soon as he left, the mocking began.
“Told you!” Cheryl sneered, rolling her eyes. “Like some backwater girl could actually be a chemistry genius? Please. She didn’t solve anything–just stole Eunice’s work
That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day! A hick genius? Yeah right!”
“I’ve never heard Ms. Yoder has a secretary, Hey, Zoe, did you hire that guy to pretend you’re special?”
The classroom was f filled with laughter and cruel jokes.
Eunice breathed a quiet sigh of relief. All that worry wasted, she thought, watching Zoe. That lost cause is no threat to me.
Zoe endured the class’s mocking laughter without responding. She just tossed her answer sheet onto the desk, turned, and walked out.
The old Zor would have confronted them immediately.
- dy. But now, she understood the value of patience.
She’d wait for the right moment to strike. What she didn’t realize was how soon that moment would arrive
Three days later, Jelonsburg’s high society was gening ready for an important banquet at the Evergreen Hotel. The event was hosted by Joyce, the famous “Chern Icon
All the city’s most influential people would be there, along with a big shot from the powerful Eminence Nexus. Everyone knew this would be one of the most significant gatherings Jelonsburg had seen in years.
When Zur leamed Shawn would attend, she devised a secret plan. This would be a deadly operation.
That afternoon, Zor leaded downstairs to prepare for the evening. As she passed by, she caught Clara talking to Eunice and her
“Tonight = banquet could ike or berak the Evan family’s reputation. You three need to look your absolute best. This is your chance to
Then she turned to Eunice, urging. Eunice dress to impress tonight. Shawn, the Ludwig family’s future leader, will be attending
If Shawn favors you, our Evans family could dominate not just Clusta but the entire world. Your future would be set.”
The Mom I’ll dress to impress. Eunice responded confidently
Notto. Herber and Jacobi listened intesatly. They knew kutute securing Shawn’s favor would be more valuable than Emmence Nexus’s membership
Ze was quietly having knowing Clara wouldn’s write her to the unstand event.
invite
te” Clara’s sharj
Chapter 16
out of sight and don’t ruin this for us. You hear me
Clara had no intention of including Zoe, certain her presence would only bring sh
Zoe heard every word, but she didn’t care. Without a second thought, she walked out the front door of the Evans residence. Her mind was set on bigger things like planning tonight’s hit and preparing her weapons.
AD
