The Double ( or More ?) Life of The Fake Heiress

The proctor strode into the room, clutching the stack of exam papers. With a brief splel about the rules, the proctor began distributing them among the students.

Mirabella scanned her test. a frown creasing her brow. She had expected more of a challenge from this supposed crucible of intellect. With a sigh, she began to write, her pen moving at a leisurely pace.

The test was a sixty–minute sprint, but Mirabella breezed through it in thirty, then slumped onto her desk, bored. If only they allowed early exits upon completion, she’d have been out the door in a heartbeat.

Morgan, today’s vigilant proctor, had already pegged Mirabella as a peculiar case–a disappointing one at that. He spotted her snoozing mid–exam, a stark contrast to her Industrious peers, and shook his head in disdain. “Good grades or not, at least take a solid work ethic,” he thought. “Even If you slipped in through pulling strings, you gotta weigh your worth. BrainSpark Nationals is no child’s play.”

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He couldn’t help but feel relieved that he had resisted taking on such students. nothing but trouble.

Time ticked away, and soon the sixty minutes were up. Though Mirabella had been the first to finish, she was the last to hand in her paper. Morgan didn’t even glance at her or her test. He simply sealed it in an envelope and exited the

room.

After the exam, Mirabella freshened up in the restroom before heading back to the classroom. As soon as she sat down. Jenna leaned in and asked. “So, how’d it go, Mirabella? I heard the others saying the prelims were tough this time.”

Mirabella lifted hereyes lazily and lightly replied. “Tough, you say?” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Jenna was taken aback. “Isn’t it?” Those two who also participated were usually top twenty in the grade. If they found it hard, surely it was a beast of a test.

Mirabella just hummed noncommittally. “Then it must be tough.”

Jenna was stunned. That casual arrogance was pure Mirabella. But was it just bravado?

Jenna prodded further. “What score are you expecting? Think you’ll pass the prelims?”

With a playful arch of her brow, Mirabella teased, “Doubting me, sweetle?”

Jenna blushed, sensing that Mirabella’s bad–girl vibe was only intensifying. “Just remember, you’re the talk of the school–the one who got in through pulling strings.”

Mirabella waved off the concern with a flick of her wrist, unfazed.

Jenna shook her head and dropped the subject. Perhaps Mirabella was a secret genius, after all.

Prelim results were due the next morning, but before they could be released, Mirabella was summoned to the guidance. counselor’s office.

In the office of the guidance counselor, several teachers were present at the moment, including Annette, Morgan. Anthony, and the vice principal. The expressions of all of them were serious and solemn, especially the vice principal and Anthony.

The vice principal addressed her with frost in his voice. “Miss Mirabella, you’re aware of the rumors swirling around school concerning you?”

Mirabella raised an eyebrow, her demeanor unfazed by his severity. “You mean the buzz about me getting in through pulling strings?”

The vice principal’s frown deepened, clearly taken aback by the new student’s audacious retort.