Maeve's voice was soft and teasing . " Marl , you're kind of funny . " Marlon stiffened , sure she was making fun of him . " Don't talk to me like we're close . I've got only one sister , and that's Rosa . " Maeve raised a brow , sounding almost hurt . " Alright ... then who decided Rosalind should drop out of school ? " It had been a family decision . The seven boys were all doing fine . Rosalind was the only one falling behind , stuck in a pricey but subpar private school and weighing everyone down . Marlon had never thought of her that way , but facts were facts . " This has nothing to do with you . Rosa is so much better than you'll ever be . " Maeve gave a small smile . " Yeah , I figured . Mom and Dad's call , right ? She's been falling behind ? " Boyce and Debra froze , trading a glance . Maeve hit the mark . The boys had doted on Rosalind , hated the idea of her dropping out , but their parents had insisted on fairness . They let exam scores decide , and Rosalind came in last . Having that laid bare was uncomfortable . Their parents worried Maeve would think they favored the boys . But she smiled and said , " I've always been top of my class . " Marlon went rigid . Their parents looked stunned . Calvin blinked , surprise flashing across his face before a faint smirk appeared . How could that be ? Maeve looked like someone who floated through life - afternoons with desserts and Chapter 6 1200 Wouchers friends , weekends shopping for designer bags , and exams just a formality before . studying abroad . year " You're in your final Marl ? Want to go head - to - head on some math problems ? " Maeve asked , her voice easy and slow . Marlon almost laughed . His eyes softened with pity . Silverleaf High School was one of the top schools in the province . He'd never ranked below the top ten and earned scholarships every year . He figured she didn't stand a chance . " Sure . Try not to cry when I crush you ," he said , smug about his grades . He didn't take her seriously at all . In his mind , she came from a school full of rich kids who spent their days shopping and gossiping . Maybe she was the best of the worst , but that didn't mean anything . Silverleaf High was cutthroat , and only the real top students made it in . Maeve's smile widened . She blinked at him playfully . " Then please go easy on me . " Jasper glanced nervously at Calvin , his chubby face tight with worry . To Jasper , Maeve seemed capable , but Marlon was on another level . Calvin held up a hand . " Mae , you just got here . Maybe rest a little first ? " Maeve tilted her head , her eyes bright with mischief . " I'm good , you know . You shouldn't doubt me . " Marlon had already pulled two worksheets from his schoolbag and slapped them onto the table . He shot Calvin a smug look . " Don't worry . I'll go easy on her ." But Calvin knew that Marlon was fired up , ready to do everything he could to crush Maeve . Chapter 7 288 Vouchers