Chapter 34
"Why is Shakira here? Wasn't she expelled? With many questions and much fear, Yvette struggled to contain her shock, but her friends had already noticed something was off. Xanthe asked with concern, "Yvette, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Could it be your period?" Berry guessed
Yvette took a few deep breaths and quickly calmed herself. Lowering her head slightly, she raised her eyes again, her eyelids tinged with red, and said in an extremely weak voice to her friends, "Shakira is back." Xanthe Sullivan came from a wealthy family. Though her family wasn't as old as the Nelson family, it had gained some recognition in Crescentville in recent years.
Berry White came from the White family, one of the top five wealthiest families. But she was just a distant relative with no real connection to the main family, Xanthe's father and Berry's mother were siblings, and the two were the same age, so they often spent time together. Yvette had met them at a luxury goods appreciation party, and they had become good friends. After Shakira returned, Yvette naturally informed them about it. The incident at the birthday party where Shakira accidentally stained Yvette's dress was attributed to them. When Yvette spoke, both Xanthe and Berry finally noticed Shakira sitting calmly in the front row, observing them. Xanthe's face twisted in disdain. "Is she a copycat? Does she think she can just follow you here to Crescentville University?"
Berry
frowned. "Xanthe, don't forget, she was here during freshman year too, but then she dropped out."
e was
Xanthe even more dissatisfied. "What else could she be if not a copycat? How could she show up in class after dropping out for two years? If it weren't for her, Yvette wouldn't have fainted and ended up in the hospital, getting roasted online!" Having been spoiled by her family since childhood, Xanthe was filled with a sense of justice upon seeing Yvette cowering in fear. Anger surged as she headed toward Shakira.
Yvette feigned surprise, shaking her head and whispering urgently, "Xanthe, don't..."
"Yvette, don't be scared! III go teach her a lesson!" Xanthe said.
Before Xanthe could reach Shakira, the professor, whose name was Carol Tate, returned to the classroom. "Break time is over; let's continue with class"
Seeing this, Berry spoke up first. "Ms. Tate, there's a stranger in our class." She pronounced the word "stranger" with emphasis
Carol had already received instructions from her superiors just now. Remembering Patrick's orders, she introduced Shakira to the class. "This is Shakira Nelson, who is returning to school after applying for a two-year leave for personal reasons. She will be studying with you all again." After finishing, she walked over to Shakira's desk and extended her hand. "Welcome back, Shakira"
Shakira stood up and shook her hand. "Thank you, Ms. Tate."
Carol nodded slightly and returned to the podium, casting a disapproving glance at Yvette and her friends. "Why are you all still standing?" Watching, Carol, who was usually strict, treating Shakira so gently, Yvette clenched her fists, her nails nearly digging into her skin. Damn itt What's wrong Fri, Oct 18
Chapter Lago had
34
had clearly said that the paperwork was already signed, yet they not only didn't kick Shakira out but even welcomed her back. Yvette wondered if it was because of Scan. Now that Shakira had cut ties with both the Nelson family and the Smith family, Yvette couldn't figure out who could have helped her expect people at Yonder Digital.
After
the humiliation Yvette suffered during the semifinals, Shaldra had gained some attention. Thus, Yvette thought she must have met Sean and said something to make him help her.
Yvette bit her lip and pulled on Xanthe's wrist again, whispering in a tone only the three of them could hear, "Xanthe, let it go. Maybe Shakira pulled some strings; someone might have contacted the university administrations to help her return."
Her implication was that there was no way they could compete with Shakira. Yvette's manipulation fueled Xanthe's anger even more. "How could a loser like her find connections to get back into the university? No way!" Xanthe
Xant
stepped forward, indignantly saying, "Ms. Tate, Shakira hasn't taken a single proper class since freshman year! Every student in our year who fails their finals gets held back; why should she be in the same class as us?" Berry chimed in. "Exactly! She hasn't attended any classes; can she even keep up with our pace? I hope she doesn't drag down our year group ranking when she comes back!"
Crescentville University had a unique grading system where students earned credits not only based on their individual performance but also from additional credits provided by their entire class and year group. Classes ranked among the top in their year, and year groups that rank high within their department, were awarded collective credits. The higher the collective credits, the less pressure students face individually, and they also have better chances of receiving scholarships and opportunities for exchange programs offered by the university. Shakira's return was a burden for both the year group and the class. Soon, other students joined in the uproar.
"We've been in the top three for two years straight! If someone clueless like her joins us, we'll definitely drop several ranks this year!"
"Who knows how she got into Crescentville University? She was always a poor student in high school! It's really unfortunate/ for us to be in the same year group with her."
"Seriously, her presence is just a burden. What's the point of being good at fashion design if she knows nothing about our major? Why did the university even agree to let her back? No matter how much she paid to get back, I'd pay double to get her out: her out!"
"I'll offer ten times what it takes to get her out of here!"
As the ruckus grew louder, Yvette felt increasingly pleased. Shakira, oh Shakira, do you think having Sean meant you could be safe? To get into Crescentville University, you need to see if you're worthy!'
Yvette instinctively glanced at Shakira, only to meet her gaze once more. In that moment, Shakira looked at her with disdain, as if she were nothing more than a clown, leaving Yvette feeling utterly humiliated.
Shakira then turned her gaze away and slowly stood up. "Ms. Tate, since there are objections, let's do this by the rules."
Carol frowned. "You mean..."
"I'll retake last semester's final exam. If I pass, I stay; if I fail, I'll leave," said Shakira.
Hearing this, Yvette nearly burst out laughing. The exam from last semester was problematic; the questions were from material only taught in junior year.
Even the top students in their grade night struggle to pass. If the professor hadn't discovered the problem before the exam and added a pre-test" session, their passing rate would have been in serious trouble. Shakira, who hadn't taken a single professional course, was impossible to pass the exam.
D
Carol was aware of this situation since the college had held an emergency meeting last semester to discuss countermeasures. She couldn't be too direct, though. "Shakira, are you sure? You haven't taken any of the professional courses." Shakira insisted. "I'm sure."
Carol opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing more. Before long, the counselor returned with the exam papers.
Carol looked
I over the situation. "For time's sake, you can send a few representatives to choose fifteen questions from these papers. If Shakira answers ten correctly, she passes. Do you have any objections?" The students all replied, "No."
A few top students went up to pick the questions, and Xanthe selected one as well. Finally, Carol placed the marked exam papers
in front of Shakira. "You have one hour to complete the exam. Begin
Shakira glanced at the questions and then began writing. Sitting in the front row, she was two rows ahead of the other students, who couldn't see what she was writing at all.
Berry was astonished. "She just glanced at the questions and started writing? Is she that good?
Xanthe mocked, "She's probably just scribbling. I'm sure this is her last hour on campus; let's wait and see!"
Yvette kept her head down, her smile unwavering. She was eager to witness Shakira being laughed at by the entire grade. After all the ridicule and mockery she had endured, she felt that Shakira was finally getting her karma.