Chapter 90
After Herbert and the others left, Percy stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“It seems like Herbert didn’t send those thugs. The way he looks down on us, he wouldn’t even bother.
“If we don’t perform well at the Elite Math Tournament, that’ll give him more reason to gloat. So, there’s no need to send someone to stop us right now,
“Who exactly is trying to stop us from taking the exam?”
Scarlett crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. She calmly reminded him, “They’re not trying to stop us. They’re trying to stop you.”
Percy sighed. “Fine, fine, it’s me. But seriously, who’s trying to stop me?”
Then, Mike appeared, holding two cups of tea, quickly walking toward them.
“Hurry up and drink this while it’s hot,” he said. “It’ll help chase away the cold, and you really don’t want to catch a cold now.”
Percy casually draped an arm around Mike’s shoulder, grinning widely. “Mr. Sawyer, what will you reward me with when I bring home a championship?”
Mike chuckled. “Let’s not even talk about a championship. You can have whatever you want if you can place at all. The same goes for Scarlett,”
“Deal! No backing out!”
1/1
Soon, the Elite Math Tournament competition began. There were a total of 200 contestants from high schools all over Yendale, Harldon Academy had sent ten students.
The hall was divided into five separate rooms, each with 20 students. By chance, Scarlett and Jonah were assigned to the same room, though one sat in the front row while the other sat in the last.
Scarlett settled into her seat in the front row, her gaze fixed straight ahead. As soon as she got her hands on the paper, she started writing.
Jonah, who was sitting further back, couldn’t help but glance at her. He saw her bending over the paper, writing without pausing to think. He shook his head in
disbelief.
This was the Elite Math Tournament they were attending, not some ordinary test. One could at least get a few points just for putting something down in normal exams, but this was totally different.
He then lowered his head, focusing on his paper. The invigilator made his rounds in the room, finally stopping beside Scarlett. He couldn’t help but glance down at her, growing more and more surprised, though his expression remained calm and unaffected.
An hour later, students had the option to submit their papers early. Scarlett had long since put down her pen and was spinning her ballpoint pen between her fingers.
The invigilator couldn’t help but remind her, “There’s still half an hour left. If anyone wants to submit their paper early, you may do so.”
Jonah had just finished solving the last bonus question. He felt a bit uneasy, unsure if his answer was correct. He was about to double–check when Scarlett raised her hand. “Hi, I would like to submit my paper early.”
The teacher smiled. “Alright, leave your paper where it is. You may leave.”
Scarlett packed her pen and tournament slip into her pencil case, then walked out of the room. All the students in the room looked up at her, their eyes wide with shock.
Jonah was also stunned by Scarlett’s action. He gave the bonus question another quick look, and once he was sure there were no mistakes, he raised his hand to hand in his paper.
He saw Scarlett just exiting the bathroom at the end of the hallway as he stepped out.
“Scarlett.” He quickly walked toward her.
Scarlett was irritated and didn’t even spare him a glance. She was about to head downstairs when Jonah grabbed her wrist. “Scarlett, are you done? Didn’t you hear me calling you?”
Scarlett shook off his hand and took several steps back as if trying to avoid him. She frowned, her voice icy.
“Is it not obvious I don’t want to talk to you? When did you become so shameless, always forcing a conversation?”
Jonah froze up, his face turning beet red as he shot her a disbelieving glare. “Is that any way to talk to me?”