Chapter 162

A cold smirk played on Tiffany Lorenz's lips.

Six years without touching a textbook, and now aiming for grad school?

She couldn't wait to see Evelyn Langley's humiliation when the results came out.

Elizabeth Melville feigned concern. "Now that Tiffany mentioned it, I'm curious about Evelyn's scores too."

Grace Deross chimed in with false sympathy. "Why not check? It's fine if she failed—she's been out of practice for so long."

Victoria Langley frowned, ready to decline.

But Evelyn nodded calmly. "Sure."

The group gathered around the computer.

William Langley's fingers trembled as he entered the exam ID.

The living room held its breath during those agonizing seconds of loading.

"Scores are out!"

Total: 412.

Patricia Lorenz whispered, "Is 400-something good?"

Tiffany's face drained of color.

Elizabeth suppressed her shock. "The GRE max is 500. This score would place Evelyn in the top three, if not first."

Patricia gasped. "She actually got into Harvard?!"

Grace cut in sharply. "There's still the interview."

Elizabeth smiled knowingly. "The written exam counts for 70%. It's practically a done deal. Congratulations, William."

William's eyes glistened.

Six years ago, his daughter had abandoned her education for a man.

Now she'd returned with a lakeside villa and an acceptance letter.

Everything was finally falling into place.

"Thank you, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth raised her voice pointedly. "Evelyn will be the most educated in our family now."

Tiffany's nails dug into her palms.

Patricia's face turned ashen.

Grace sneered. "Don't celebrate until the official letter arrives."

The dinner continued with tension thick enough to cut.

Guests left hastily, abandoning even perfunctory pleasantries.

......

January 20th—Victoria's birthday.

After days of rain, the clouds finally parted.

Tender green shoots peeked through the garden soil.

Evelyn moved about the kitchen, apron tied neatly.

She remembered her mother's distaste for sweets.

A steaming bowl of hand-pulled longevity noodles sat ready.

Her gift was a rare first-edition book set.

She'd scoured global websites for weeks.

It had crossed oceans to reach them after fifteen days.