Chapter 31 Yvette spoke up . " I can take a make - up exam now . I'm ready . " Bernard's scrutinizing gaze swept over her . " She got guts . Did she think this would make me back down ? Totally wrong , " he thought . " Very well . You'll take it here . " Bernard made a quick call , and soon a teaching assistant arrived with a thick stack of test papers . Bernard gestured at the pile . " Complete all of these . We'll evaluate your admission based on the results . " Leonard felt a headache coming on , looking at the stack . " Is he really treating this like an official entrance exam ? " he wondered . " Surely one subject's test would suffice ? This will take hours . It's completely impractical . " Yvette glanced at the papers . " It's fine . I can take them all . Let's begin . " She wanted this over with , not a drawn - out affair . If Yvette agreed , Leonard could hardly object further . He sat down to supervise . Bernard , however , checked his watch , gathered his things , and stood . " I have a class . I'll leave you to it , Mr. Sexton . Wallace , you assist with proctoring . " With that , he walked out . Leonard was speechless . He'd been about to suggest Yvette just take one test to prove her capability and have the rest waived . Now Bernard had just left . *** " Mr. Lewis . " Serena stood near the Administration Building entrance . Seeing Bernard exit , she turned and approached him . " You needed me ? " Bernard knew she wanted something . 0.00 % 07:39 Chapter 31 288 iVouchers Strictly speaking , he taught seniors . Serena was a junior . Their paths shouldn't have crossed . But Serena had really stood out during a recent academic exchange with Briarhelm High School . She'd knocked their arrogant students down a peg and defended Solara High School's honor . Bernard had been seriously impressed ever since . He made a point of mentoring her whenever he could , bringing her along to academic events . He wasn't her teacher , but their bond was stronger than many such relationships . Serena paused , choosing her words carefully . " Mr. Lewis , I heard Yvette is transferring into your International Class . She's my older sister . Her health isn't the best , and I was hoping you might be able to look out for her . " She spoke softly and evenly , her tone naturally graceful and composed . " Sister ? What sister ? " Bernard frowned , picturing Yvette's eyes , then his head snapped up to look at Serena . His preconceived notions about Yvette had made him dismissive . He hadn't really looked at her . The mask made it even easier to ignore . Now that he thought about it , her eyes above that mask did look strikingly like Serena's ... He stopped walking . " So you're from the Duckworth family ... " He'd never really known Serena's background . The rumor when she'd first arrived was that she was some country girl from the mountains . But clearly , even if she wasn't a wealthy heiress , she was no simple village girl . Yet in over a year , Serena had never mentioned any of it . She was incredibly humble , with none of the entitlement one'd expect . She was modest , gentle , and bright , a truly well - bred young lady . " Well , since you're asking me personally , if she makes it into the International Class , I'll certainly look out for her ! " Bernard finally agreed with a nod . He admired Serena and didn't want to disregard her thoughtful gesture . As for Yvette , rules were rules . If she wasn't cut out for it , that wasn't his fault . Serena breathed a quiet sigh of relief , thanked him with a smile , and turned to leave , only to find Roderick standing a short distance away . 31.29 % ˋ 07:39 Chapter 31 1288 iVouchers " Roderick , " she greeted him with a warm smile . Roderick scratched his head . " Rena , thanks . " Yvette had said she'd handle the teacher meeting herself , but he'd gotten worried and come to check . He hadn't expected to see Serena privately asking Bernard to watch out for Yvette . He was genuinely touched by her kindness . Seeing Roderick , Bernard felt a fresh wave of annoyance . " What are you doing here ? Is your homework done ? Shouldn't you be in class ? " Roderick shrank back a little . " I just wanted to ask ... .. " " That's enough ! Get back to class ! " Bernard's expression turned cold . When Serena asked , it felt like a kind gesture . When Roderick asked , it felt like privilege and pressure . He was the Duckworth family heir , probably used to getting his way everywhere . Even Leonard seemed to play favorites . The thought of Yvette , practically illiterate in his eyes and waiting in his office , made him even more irritable . Bernard marched off to class , back straight . He taught that period with unusual vigor . Chapter 32