A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

"Seraphina Sterling, don’t just stand there silently and let my aunt do all the talking! Don’t think for a second that nobody knows what you’ve been up to! If you’re really so smart, then why have you been holed up in your room studying all this time? You even barely touched your food at the New Year’s Eve dinner before rushing back to your room to hit the books! The truth is, you’re not that smart at all!"

’New Year’s Eve dinner? I didn’t go back to study that night. I went to keep some lonely, arrogant young master company—someone who didn’t even have a New Year’s Eve dinner to eat! Of course, that was something Seraphina Sterling would never tell anyone!’

She gave a faint smile, her dimples appearing especially cute. "So, because I’m using my time to get a head start on subjects I haven’t learned yet, that means I’m not smart? You can say I’m not smart—there’s always someone better out there, after all. But according to you, smart people don’t need to work hard? If you approach your studies with that mindset, you’ll never surpass me!"

Seraphina Sterling’s bright eyes flashed with a subtle light. "No matter how high someone’s IQ is or how clever they are, if they don’t put in the effort, they won’t get good results! It’s only natural for people like that to be overtaken by others! In the end, they might not even be able to catch up to those who aren’t as smart but are incredibly diligent!"

Zoe Jennings’s expression grew even more foul. Her intelligence was her greatest source of pride, and now, hearing Seraphina Sterling’s voice and her opinion, Zoe’s face looked terrifying.

"You don’t have to glare at me like that! I’m only speaking the truth, and I’m saying it for your own good. You’re young, but you’re already arrogant about your talent and think too highly of yourself. You don’t know how to work hard, and you’ll be the one to regret it in the future! The smartest brain is useless if you don’t apply yourself!"

Seraphina Sterling threw Zoe Jennings’s own words right back at her. Seeing how livid she was, Seraphina felt a deep sense of satisfaction. "If you don’t believe me, you can ask Leo Jennings. The reason he got into Yale University isn’t just because he has an exceptionally brilliant mind; it’s absolutely inseparable from his tireless hard work!"

Zoe Jennings looked at Leo Jennings and saw him nod slightly. Instantly, a sense of dread washed over her. After all she’d said, when it came down to it, everyone was still on Seraphina Sterling’s side. Even Leo!

’How did things turn out this way?’ Zoe Jennings was flustered, unsure of what to do.

"If you want to hold on to your number-one throne, then start studying hard now. As it is, you don’t even qualify to be my rival!"

Seraphina Sterling was simply magnificent and domineering. The look in her eyes was even more defiant and untamed. This tone, this manner, this attitude... this was no longer a spar between peers, but advice—and a provocation—given from a plane far above them!

"I don’t need your fake kindness, and I don’t need you to stand there and lecture me with your hypocrisy!" Zoe Jennings’s composure had reached its breaking point. She shot back at Seraphina Sterling frantically, all reason gone.

"Seraphina is just trying to help. You have no right to speak to her with that tone!" The displeasure in Leo Jennings’s eyes deepened as he listened. ’Even if her help isn’t needed, you shouldn’t think that way about family! How was she raised to have such a twisted mind?’

When Zoe Jennings heard this, she knew her behavior had displeased Leo Jennings. She immediately added, "Seraphina, you’ve misunderstood me! It’s just that the college entrance exam is so important—it’s about our future! That’s why I’m so worried. I mean, what if you fail? Think how embarrassing it would be to have to repeat a year!"