Chapter 200: Visitors from the Jennings Family (Part 1)
"Brother, this is Kimberly. Do you remember her? When we were kids, we used to play outside all the time, and Kimberly would always tag along behind us." As soon as Zachary Jennings saw the mother and daughter walk in, he immediately made the introductions. "This is Kimberly’s daughter, Seraphina. She’s brilliant—she was supposed to be a sophomore, but she’s skipping straight to senior year when school starts! She’ll be able to take the college entrance exams with Zoe!"
Kimberly Jennings offered a faint smile. She didn’t remember Elias Jennings very well. Too much time had passed, and her memories of him were hazy—nothing more than a faint outline. "Mr. Jennings, long time no see."
"Hello, Mr. Jennings." Seraphina Sterling’s brow furrowed slightly as she looked at Elias Jennings. ’In my past life, I don’t think I ever met him, or the other man and woman here. It looks like things have changed from my past life because of me.’
"Ah, Kimberly and Seraphina!" Elias Jennings exchanged some pleasantries with Kimberly. "Seraphina is quite clever, isn’t she? To think of skipping a grade when she’s already a sophomore. It looks like Seraphina is very confident about the college entrance exams!"
"You’re too kind, Mr. Jennings. I’ve already mastered the sophomore-year curriculum, so I just don’t want to waste time." Seraphina Sterling smiled faintly. Unlike Zoe Jennings, she wasn’t shy or nervous. She simply treated Elias Jennings as a regular elder, with no ulterior motive to curry favor. She was relaxed and at ease when speaking with him.
"Aren’t you worried you’ll fail the college entrance exams? Even if you’ve mastered the sophomore material, you haven’t even started the first semester of senior year! You shouldn’t underestimate the senior curriculum—it’s exceptionally difficult. Even students who normally get the best grades can stumble on the exams. Aren’t you being a bit too confident?" These were the first words Leo Jennings had spoken since he got there.
"Even if I don’t do well on the exams, I can just repeat the year. I wouldn’t lose any time either way, so what’s the big deal?" Seraphina glanced at him. ’So arrogant!’ she thought. ’Then again, someone who can get into Yale certainly has the right to be.’
Hearing how cavalier she was about her own future, the good impression Leo Jennings had just formed of her instantly evaporated. The arrogance he had been reining in suddenly erupted. "It’s not a good thing to be smug about your intelligence. You’re still young, so you can afford to face the consequences of your own conceit. But if you keep up this attitude, reality will deliver a harsh slap to the face!"
"See, Seraphina Sterling? It’s not just me saying you’re arrogant anymore! Even Leo thinks so!" Zoe Jennings, who had been silent all this time, felt the flames of jealousy burn hotter the moment she saw Seraphina.
"Seraphina, we’re all just looking out for you! Don’t always think we’re trying to bring you down! The college entrance exams are a pivotal moment in life. The competition is fierce, like an army of thousands trying to cross a single plank bridge. Every student is on edge, giving it their all. Even if you really are smarter than everyone else, you can’t be so flippant about something this important!"
Ivy Cheney had finally found another opportunity to lecture Seraphina Sterling. She had been holding back for days, feeling like she was about to suffocate. Today, she could finally vent all her pent-up resentment!
"Seraphina Sterling, there are plenty of people in this world smarter than you. My mom only has your best interests at heart! You’re always so quick to assume the worst of people. Think about it—my mom is the school’s dean of students. Why on earth would she try to hurt you?"
Seeing the increasingly dark expression on Leo Jennings’s face, Zoe’s words became even more excessive. She just couldn’t stand how, the moment everyone saw Seraphina, they forgot that she, Zoe Jennings, was also a part of the Jennings Family!
"Zoe, how can you say that? When did Seraphina ever say Ivy was trying to hurt her?" Kimberly Jennings’s brows knitted together. ’Zoe used to be so quiet and reserved,’ she thought. ’I always felt she had a good personality, someone who could study diligently and understood the importance of working hard. Since when did this quiet little girl become so extreme?’