Chapter 176  The teacher said purposefully, keeping them dangling, “So, who wants to take a wild guess at who our class top–scorer might be?”  Evelina chimed in, “It’s gotta be our No. 1 class rep, right?”  “Absolutely, if we’re talking top scorer, it has to be our class rep. His grades have been top three in our grade for years. No doubt it’s  him.”  Just then, the class rep stood up and said, “Not me.”  “How is that possible? If it’s not him, then who else could possibly be the top scorer? Maybe the runner–up?”  When the teacher saw reporters also joining in, she quickly announced, “It’s Lernira.”  The classroom went dead silent.  hen Jessica let out a squeal, “Oh my god, it’s you! You’re the top of the city? Wow, you’re incredible!”  The rest of the students were stunned. They had guessed many names, but Lemira as the top scorer was beyond their wildest thoughts. Evelina was dumbfounded upon hearing the news. How could Lemira be number one in the city?  This news hit Evelina harder than a freight train.  Jessica glanced at Evelina and snickered to her sidekick, “Ha! Remember who was offering to retake the year with our city’s top scorer, as if they had the right to talk about retaking the year with her? Such a shame.”  “Don’t make me laugh, Jessica. This is the funniest joke I’ve heard in my  life.”  “Yeah, a bottom–ranker comforted the city’s number one, saying they’d retake the year together. Where does she get the nerve to even suggest that?”  Evelina’s face turned sour as if she had bitten into a lemon.  Judy went into hysterics, “How could Lemira be the top–scorer? There must be a mistake in the grades, or maybe Lemira cheated.” Deep down, Evelina felt the same way. How could Lemira possibly be the city’s number one?  The teacher gave Evelina a cold look, “What’s going on with you two? Lemira’s improvement is clear to everyone. She outperformed herself and became the dark horse. Instead of being happy for her, as her classmates, as her family, you doubt her achievements. Is this what I’ve taught you?”  Evelina’s eyes immediately reddened, but no one came to comfort her. Everyone was too busy discussing Lemira’s success.  Then, the reporters approached, followed by the principal and the vice principal.  The principal, a kindly old man, looked at Lemira with a proud smile, “I never expected you to score so high.”  Lemira smiled back as she spotted the principal, “Thank you for the stationery you gave me.”  Without the quality stationery the principal provided just in time, her grade might have suffered.  The inferior stationery she had was barely readable and even leaked ink, which could have ruined her test paper and cost her points.  “I was just doing things according to the rules. It’s your own excellence that got you the title.”  A reporter stepped forward, placing a microphone in front of Lemira, “Lemira, your grades have soared in the last few months, landing you the top spot in the city. Surely, you had help and support from those around you. Who would you like to thank the most?”  Chapter 177  Chapter 177