Chapter 102

Carmen’s inner circle in class couldn’t stop gushing, talking over each other in awestruck tones. One of them said, “Carmen is simply amazing! What’s the big deal about Rithol Art School? She quietly made it to the state-level finals! I heard the bar is set really high this year; even the top art students from the prestigious high school next door all got eliminated."

A classmate sneered. “Just wait till Carmen wins the award. Rithol Art School will realize what a huge mistake they made, blaming her for Aubree’s screw-up. Serves them right!”

Another said, “If Carmen wins the award, the whole school will be singing her praises!”

Someone else said, “School-wide praise? That’s thinking too small! Soon enough, Carmen’s story will probably make it on TV news!”

They felt that the Wilson family sure got lucky. All four sons were outstanding in their own right, while their only biological daughter brought shame to the family name. But at least their adopted daughter was making them proud.

Everyone has their own destiny. Some people were just born luckier than others, and there was no use being envious. Aubree was born into the Wilson family but never got to enjoy its privileges, while Carmen somehow ended up with all the good fortune.

Carmen covered her mouth with a giggle. “If you keep praising me like this, I might get so nervous my hands will shake during the competition, and it’ll be all your fault!”

Carmen’s playful scolding only made her classmates adore her even more.

“Carmen, you’re seriously amazing!” a classmate exclaimed. “You’re already top of the class, and even though the teacher said you could take the day off, you can’t even relax for a moment; you still came in for half a day!”

Carmen maintained a humble facade, but her eyes gleamed with smug confidence. She’d spent weeks meticulously copying a painting Aubree had left at home. She thought, ‘I’m definitely winning at the finals. Maybe even the gold!’

Out of the corner of her eye, Carmen noticed Alvin glancing her way from the back seat. Her ears flushed pink. ‘If I win the award… would he finally notice me more?’ she wondered.

Carmen thought smugly, ‘I know Alvin better than anyone. He only got into art because his late mother was an artist. If my painting skills are truly exceptional, he’s bound to notice me!’

Carmen smoothed her hair and walked up to Alvin with a bright smile. “Alvin, my birthday’s coming up. Would you like to come to my party? If you’re free, we could also talk about painting.”

Graceful and poised, her radiant, confident smile could win over even a stranger, especially with the added prestige of being the Wilson family’s heiress. Carmen was absolutely certain Alvin wouldn’t turn her down.

She thought, ‘My original plan was to let Alvin realize how great I am and come to me on his own… but… That bitch Aubree, when did she hook up with Alvin? So what if she’s good at gaming? As long as I control the Wilson family, she’ll never surpass me!’

She’d deliberately come to school for just this short while before the competition, all so Alvin would notice her, and she could seize the chance to invite him to her birthday party.

“Get lost.” Alvin didn’t even bother to look up. His words shattered all of Carmen’s fantasies.

Carmen’s smile froze on her face, her eyes widening in disbelief. “How could Alvin humiliate me like this in public?” she thought, her cheeks burning with shame.

Carmen’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. One of her classmates immediately jumped to her defense, exclaiming, “Alvin, how could you treat Carmen like that?”

Alvin said coldly, “You get lost, too.”

The classmate was about to say something more, but Carmen, worried that Alvin might think less of her, quickly pulled them back. Forcing a smile, she said, “It’s fine; I was being presumptuous. My competition is about to start, so I have to go now. Don’t forget, you’re all invited to my birthday party at my place later!”

She forced a brave smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, a sight that tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.

As she turned away, her eyes burned with resentment and jealousy. “There’s only one reason Alvin would treat me like this. It has to be because of Aubree!’ she seethed inwardly.

She thought, ‘It doesn’t matter. Once I win the award, Alvin will come around!’

Carmen was heading to the finals, and both Daxton and Alice, who were free at home, came to see her off.

“Don’t overthink it, Carmen. No matter what happens, you’ll always be the best in Mom’s eyes,” Alice said softly, giving her daughter’s hand an encouraging squeeze.