The Queen Back From Hell - Chapter 89: Chapter 89

The news that Arielle had only scored 150 points spread like wildfire across the entire school within just one class period.
Arielle was something of a campus celebrity, and she'd made more enemies than friends.
The news was music to some people's ears, they were positively gleeful.
It was a vicious thrill to finally have their enemy under their heel, a pure, unfiltered satisfaction.
At lunchtime, as Meredith and her clique made their way to the cafeteria, they gossiped gleefully about the scandal.
Of course, she didn't join in the conversation. She just quietly listened as the others mocked Arielle.
She was practically bursting with joy, though her face betrayed nothing.
Her scheming mind was already calculating how Arielle would be scolded by their parents when they got home.
Her steps felt light, as if she were walking on air.
Arielle entered the cafeteria, still standing out like a sore thumb.
For some reason, the third-floor dining hall was unusually crowded today.
All eyes kept drifting toward that solitary, aloof figure.
No doubt about it, the hot topic was the student who'd scored a measly 150 on the monthly exam.
Students huddled in small groups, shoveling food while whispering among themselves.
Against all expectations, Meredith, Perla, and their clique showed up at the third-floor cafeteria, a place usually beneath their dignity. Everyone knew that they were there to witness Arielle's public humiliation and savor every cringe-worthy moment of her discomfort.
Arielle sat alone at a shared table near the back of the cafeteria.
She picked at her food.
She had no one who was willing to be near her.
Day after day, she walked alone.
Even in the noisy cafeteria, she could feel the mockery and contempt in their eyes without hearing them.
"150 points? Are you for real? Man, my grades suck, but I've never scored that low!" one student snickered.
Another said, "Tell me about it! I was shocked too, thought she was all high and mighty, but her grades are rock bottom."
Meredith tugged at Perla's sleeve, her face twisted in feigned concern. "Stop it," she murmured.
To onlookers, she appeared every bit the protective sister, as if she were genuinely worried Arielle might be laughed at.
"I'm gonna say it anyway," Perla sneered. "Finally got dirt on Arielle. This is absolutely hilarious!"
Mya giggled behind her hand. "I'd love to interview her about how she's feeling right now," she added with a laugh.
"If you've got the guts, go ask her yourself," another student taunted.
"I couldn't care less. Let's post this online and show everyone what a "model student" we've got at Peterborough."
One student sneered, "They say she's the most diligent student in Class 1, but she still ranked dead last. Even our class slacker scored higher than her. What a brilliant mind she must have!"
"Exactly! Out of 750 total points, she only scored 150. Even if Class 1 doesn't care about grades, no one's ever scored this low before. What an embarrassment to our school!"
Another student snickered, "Bet she can't even understand the options!"
They were all watching her like hawks, waiting for her to crack, hoping she'd break down, lash out, or at least look ashamed.
But to their disappointment, nothing happened.
She simply finished her meal, without so much as glancing at the gossiping crowd.
A student thought, 'Wait... she's just walking away? Just like that?
'That's so not like her!
'She's usually such a cocky bitch, always ready to throw punches.
'But today, with everyone talking shit about her, she didn't even react?'
Perla and the others watched Arielle walk away, their eyes full of disappointment.
Perla had even egged on some classmates to make a scene about it in the cafeteria, hoping to rile Arielle up. But she didn't react at all, she remained utterly unfazed.
It felt like punching a pillow, all that effort with zero impact.
"Damn it! How infuriating!" Perla seethed.
Two things rocked Peterborough that day.
In the morning, word spread that Arielle had only scored 150 points.
By afternoon, everyone was buzzing about Gavin strolling around campus with Meredith.
Both events revolved around the Bradford family.
One was about the real heiress, the other an impostor.
Yet their reputations were worlds apart.
Meredith basked in the envious stares of everyone she passed along the way.