The English teacher's words were sharp and cruel. Many of the students knew who she was talking about and secretly glanced back at Chloe Sinclair, who was sitting in the very last row.
But Chloe Sinclair's large, dark eyes were filled with bewilderment, as if she had no idea the teacher was talking about her.
This wasn't what the teacher had expected. She had thought Chloe Sinclair would slump over her desk in misery like she used to, which would have given her an opening for a few more sarcastic remarks. But now, the target of her scorn was meeting her gaze, looking completely clueless that she was the one being criticized.
A strange burst of anger flared up inside the English teacher. She couldn't help but shout, "Chloe Sinclair, stand up!"
"Yes, teacher? Is something wrong?"
Chloe Sinclair slowly stood up, her hands hanging naturally at her sides.
Seeing her composed and unruffled demeanor made the English teacher's heart skip a beat. Chloe was dressed differently today, too. Not only that, but her dark eyes seemed to hold a deep, flowing light that made the teacher's scalp tingle. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
Suddenly, the corner of her eye caught the test papers on her desk. Remembering Chloe Sinclair's grades, she snapped, "I was talking about you! Look at yourself. It's bad enough you have no self-respect, but your exam performance is a complete mess, too. Everyone else wrote the essay except you. What, do you think you can fly to the moon?!"
"Look at your sister! She's always first in the grade. I really don't understand how two sisters can be so different!"
After her tirade, she added, "Get up here."
Chloe Sinclair continued to comply. As she walked past Summer Beckett's desk, her friend shot her a worried look.
But Chloe Sinclair didn't mind. In her past life, she had grown accustomed to these words, so they no longer bothered her. She gave Summer Beckett a smile and calmly walked up to the front of the classroom.
However, when she saw the red X's all over her test paper, she couldn't help but feel a little exasperated.
"See your score?"
Chloe Sinclair nodded, indicating that she had.
'The score really is atrocious.'
"Now that you've seen it, take it and get lost. Get out of my sight!"
With that, she flicked the paper, intending to throw it on the floor.
Chloe Sinclair's eyes darkened, and she caught it in mid-air.
Then she turned and walked back to her seat without a backward glance.
After handing out the rest of the tests, the English teacher gave everyone time to make corrections—which was really just a study hall.
Chloe Sinclair stared at her own atrocious test paper. She hesitated a few times before finally tapping Summer Beckett on the back.
"What did you score?"
Summer Beckett giggled and generously showed off her test. "16.5. That's 0.5 points higher than you."
Chloe Sinclair: "..."
Seeing Chloe Sinclair's silence, Summer Beckett assumed the girl was feeling hurt and embarrassed. She couldn't help but try to comfort her, "I just guessed on all of them. It was pure luck..."
Realizing her words might hurt the girl's pride even more, she quickly added, "Tell you what, I'll score a few points lower next time. I promise you won't get yelled at by that old hag like you did today."
Chloe Sinclair: "...Shut up."
With that, she carefully put her test paper away.
For the rest of the period, the English teacher didn't bother Chloe Sinclair again, but Chloe didn't dare work on her math during the class either.
She wasn't bothered by the little incident.
She remembered that this teacher didn't meet a good end.
'As a teacher, she was flirting with other male teachers at school and ended up two-timing them.'
'One of the men she was involved with was married. When his wife found out, she came to the school and gave the homewrecker a brutal beating, then posted a video of it online, causing a huge stir.'
'In the end, both parties involved were fired. Their lives probably weren't easy after that.'
Chloe Sinclair didn't dwell on it. She studied in her "Study God System" until class was over. When Chloe stood up to leave, Nina Sinclair blocked her way.
"Sister, your English isn't very good. How about I tutor you from now on?"
"I don't need it. Move."
Nina Sinclair's eyes immediately reddened.
Summer Beckett's deskmate was one of Nina Sinclair's admirers. He immediately became angry. "Don't be a fucking idiot. Our Nina was kind enough to offer you help, and you have the nerve to reject her? What right does an adopted daughter like you have to compare yourself to the real young miss?"
Seeing Nina Sinclair remain silent, Ken Lawson sneered, "Do you really think a pheasant can become a phoenix? Take a look at yourself. Are you even worthy?"
Chloe Sinclair didn't say anything. Instead, she tilted her head, as if carefully mulling over the two words. "Adopted daughter?"
Nina Sinclair's pupils contracted. Her eyes instantly turned red again, and large teardrops welled up and streamed down her face, accompanied by soft sobs. Ken Lawson's heart ached for her.
Seeing Chloe Sinclair about to leave, he reached out and shoved her shoulder.
Chloe Sinclair hadn't expected Ken Lawson to get physical. She stumbled and nearly fell.
But before Ken Lawson could say a word, he felt a rush of wind past his face. Before he could even see what happened, a sharp pain shot through his body. He couldn't help but stumble back a few steps and fall to the ground.
He stared at the girl before him as if she were a monster.
"Chloe! How could you hit someone!"
Nina Sinclair looked at Chloe Sinclair with righteous indignation, her eyes filled with disapproval.
But Chloe Sinclair didn't even spare her a glance. "Right now, you should be helping your admirer to the nurse's office, not standing here whining and lecturing me."
Nina Sinclair's face flushed red. She quickly helped Ken Lawson up and pretended to inspect his injuries. In the end, the two of them asked for leave and went to the nurse's office.
However, they didn't return for the rest of the school day.
Chloe Sinclair didn't live in the school dorms, nor had she signed up for evening self-study sessions. She prepared to leave as soon as classes ended in the afternoon.
At six o'clock, Chloe Sinclair was waiting at the school gate for the driver to pick her up, but after more than an hour, there was still no sign of him.
Finally, she saw a message from the driver saying he had gone to the hospital to pick up the "Eldest Miss" first.
Chloe Sinclair knew then that the driver wasn't coming for her. She started walking while waiting for a bus.
By now, the sky had gradually darkened. Fortunately, the road was lit by streetlights on both sides. The light wasn't strong, but it was enough to see the path ahead.
Ever since her rebirth, her senses were much sharper than in her previous life. So as she walked past an alley, she heard a faint groan.
That familiar sound rang in her ears. Chloe Sinclair's heart trembled. Without a moment's hesitation, she quickened her pace and headed deeper into the alley.
The streetlight from outside cast long shadows within. By the dim light, Chloe Sinclair could see a man sitting against a wall.
The man was dressed all in black, one hand clutching his abdomen. His long legs were stretched out casually, and his hair was plastered to his forehead. His jet-black eyes were fixed on Chloe Sinclair, like those of a hunted animal.
Chloe Sinclair almost cried out in shock.
The man before her was Jasper Shaw, her husband from her past life.
She never expected that this was how she would meet him.
"Jasper..."
Chloe Sinclair suddenly remembered that the Jasper Shaw of this time didn't know her yet. After a moment's thought, she said, "Sir, do you need..."
Before she could finish, Jasper Shaw suddenly grabbed her ankle. His expression was unfocused, and it was clear he was in very bad shape.
"Help... help me!"
Jasper Shaw's hands were covered in blood. As soon as Chloe Sinclair crouched down, she was hit by a thick, metallic scent.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard a clamor of voices from outside the alley.
"Fuck, Jasper Shaw actually got away! Find him for me, now! Once you find him, cripple him on the spot!"
"Go check if there's anyone in this alley."