She Plotted Against Me, I Won My Life

Chapter 7

Early that morning, Liora called.

Her voice was sharp and cruel. "Linnea Hatherley, results are out today."

"Mm," I said, waiting.

She laughed loudly, triumphant and mocking. "You are too afraid to check, aren't you? You got sick in the hall and failed, didn't you?"

I laughed softly in return, my voice steady and unshaken. "Are you brave enough to look? Do you even understand the questions?"

She fell quiet for a moment, then snapped, her temper flaring.

"Mind your own business. If I do badly, my parents will send me abroad to study, or I can run the family business for the rest of my life. What about you? No connections, no money, you will end up at some tiny school."

She switched to a sickly, exaggerated tone, dragging each word to rub salt in the wound. "Do not lose hope, though! You might scrape into a four-year program," she then sneered openly. "The former top candidate in the city is only getting into a low-ranking college. How embarrassing."

I held the phone tighter. "The cake was spoiled."

For a split second she fell silent, then burst out laughing, no longer pretending, fully revealing her malice.

"Of course it was! I bought it from a little shop just for you. I know how delicate your stomach is." She drew out each word, sounding smug and triumphant. "You cannot handle things like that. You have enjoyed eighteen years of luxury that was meant for me. I am only collecting interest."

Her tone turned cold and dismissive as she ended the call. "Goodbye, little top scorer."