Chapter 5 55 vouchers On the day of the provincial math competition finals , the hallway outside the exam hall was packed with elite students from every school . I checked my admission ticket as whispers floated around me . " That's Clara ? She's even prettier than her forum pics ... " " I heard she aced the last monthly exam ... " " Looks don't matter here . This is about skill . " I ignored them , scanning the crowd until my eyes landed on Jeremiah in the corner . He was flipping through his notes , glasses reflecting cold light . In my past life , he had won first place three years in a row , securing a spot at a top university , while I , distracted by foolish crushes , hadn't even made it to finals . " Clara ." Jeremiah appeared beside me , his trademark fake smile in place . " Nervous ? " " No. " My reply was curt . I noticed his right hand absently rubbing his left wristwatch . He was the nervous one . He leaned in , the scent of cedarwood sharp . " You know this competition decides university recommendations , right ? " His voice dropped . " A word of advice . Don't overdo the last problem . Too risky . " I almost laughed . Was that a threat or mind games ? The old me might've fallen for it , but now ... " Thanks for the tip ." I met his gaze . " But here's mine . Next time you cheat , avoid the cameras . " His pupils shrank , smile freezing . I walked into the exam hall before he could retaliate . The moment the test papers were handed out , I skimmed the questions . The final problem was exactly the one from Adam's notes , the pages Jeremiah had ripped out in the library . Adam's signature method . I smirked . So he didn't just steal them . He claimed the solution as his own . Two hours later , I finished 30 minutes early . The proctor's eyes widened as he checked my answers . Outside , Emmett rushed over , " How'd it go ? Did you solve the last one ? That was Adani's signature met did . I shrugged . " But with a simpler approach . " Her jaw dropped . " Wait , you invented a new solution ? " I smiled without answering In my previous life , bored out of my mind in a dead - end marriage , I'd drowned myself in math . Problems like this were just warm - ups . A week later , the school bulletin board was mobbed . I pushed through the crowd , and there it was . " First Place : Clara Bailey . Provincial Gold . Recommended : Harverd University . " 175 Chapter 5 A collective gasp rose behind me . I turned . Jeremiah stood rigid , staring at the board . His name was in second place . Same award , but a lesser school . " Impossible ... " He dug his nails into his palms . " How did you ... " " Solve that problem ? " I finished softly , " Adam taught me . " A lie . But the way his face drained of color ? Worth it . " You ... " Fury flashed in his eyes before his usual polite mask slid back . On my way back to class , Carson intercepted me . A He'd styled his hair , left two shirt buttons undone , trying way too hard . " Clara ! " He grabbed my hands . " Congrats ! I knew you'd win ! " I pulled free , smirking . " Really ? Because I recall you saying , " Too - smart girls end up -alone ." " He laughed awkwardly . " Just a joke ... " " Where's Sarah ? " I cut in . " She's usually glued to you . " " Her ? " He rolled his eyes . " Lately , she's been copying your clothes and the way you talk . It's creepy . " I stifled a laugh . So Sarah found that notebook I ' accidentally ' left in the bathroom , the one detailing Carson's every preference . " Gotta go . " I turned . " Wait ! " He blocked me . " There's a party this weekend to celebrate your win ! Come ? " I pretended to hesitate . " Who's invited ? " " Just us ... " His gaze darted . " Sarah's not coming . " " Alright . " I sighed , playing reluctant . His triumphant grin made me sick . 55 vouchers The weekend party was held in a private KTV room . I arrived thirty minutes late on purpose . When I pushed open the door , the place was already packed . Aside from Carson's usual crew , a few student council girls were there , and ... in the corner , Jeremiah . " Clara ! " Carson stumbled over , reeking of alcohol , and tried I sidestepped him and took the only empty seat tried to sling an arm over my shoulder . " You Inally made it " on the sofa . 275 P Chapter 5 5 The table was cluttered with beer bottles and snacks , the air thick with the stench of alcohol and smoke . " A toast to our provincial champion ! " Carson raised his glass , and the others cheered . 55 vouchers I took a sip of cola , noticing Jeremiah's dark stare fixed on me . Ever since the competition results were announced , he'd been looking at me like I was a problem that needed to be eliminated . " Clara . " Carson leaned in , his breath hot on my face , " Sing something ! You're great at the piano . Bet you've got pipes too . " " No. " I kept my voice cool . " I have plans later . " " What plans ? " He pressed . " Meeting with a publisher . " It wasn't a lie . My serialized novel caught the attention of an editor . The room went dead silent . Everyone gaped at me . " You ... write novels ? " : One of the girls blurted . I nodded . " Made over eight thousand last month . " That number might as well have been a million to broke students . Carson's drunken haze seemed to clear instantly . " You never told me ... " " You never asked . " I smiled . In my past life , I'd hidden every talent to stroke Carson's fragile ego . Now ? I wanted him to see the gap between us . " No way ! " The girls swarmed me . " What's it about ? Can we read it ? " Just as I was about to answer , the door burst open . Sarah stood there , wearing a white dress identical to mine , hair styled the same way , but her heavy makeup made the imitation laughable . The room froze . " Garson ... " Her eyes were red . " You said the student council had an emergency . This is your emergency ? " Carson scrambled up . " Sarah , listen ... " " Listen to what ? " Her voice turned shrill . " How you're sneaking around with this bitch behind my back ? " " Watch your mouth ." 875 Chapter 5 I said coldly . Sarah lunged at me , hand raised to slap me . I caught her wrist and twisted , just enough to make her gasp in pain . " Let her go ! " Carson moved to intervene , but Emmett blocked him . " Sarah . " I whispered so only Sarah could hear , " Remember your promise about the forum . " Her face went pale . The fight drained out of her . " What forum ? " Carson frowned . Sarah panicked . " Nothing ! " She yanked free and ran out , sobbing . Carson hesitated and then chased after her . The room was painfully awkward . " Bravo ." Jeremiah started clapping . " Clara , your manipulation skills are getting sharper . " I tilted my head . " Coming from the guy who steals notes , that's rich . " His smile vanished . Everyone else just looked confused . Nobody else understood the exchange , The party died soon after . The night air was cool as I stepped out of the KTV . Unnoticed , Jeremiah had followed me , his voice dripping with venom . " Clara . We need to talk . " " Not interested ." I kept walking . He grabbed my wrist hard . " Don't think winning first place makes you special . " His breath was hot against my ear as he leaned in . " I could make you disappear without a trace . " There he was , the real Jeremiah , mask off , fangs bared . " Oh ? " I smirked , pulling out my phone and hitting play . His threat echoed back at him . His face twisted in fury as he lunged for the phone . But I was ready . Sidestepping , " Ugh ! " He crumpled forward with a choked gasp . " Jeremiah ." I looked down at him . " You deceived me for His head snapped up , eyes " Call me delusional . " 55 vouchers my knee up hard between his legs . years in my previous life . In this one ? I'll make sure you regret every second of it . " wide with shock . " Past life ? What the hell ? " 4/5 T P. Chapter 5 I turned away . " But this ' delusional ' girl has proof of your cheating , this recording , and ... " I glanced back over my shoulder . " Security footage of you tearing out Adam's notes . " A complete bluff . But the way his face paled told me it would haunt him for weeks . 55 vouchers The next morning , sunlight streamed through my window as I opened the publisher's email . Contract confirmed , 20,000 dollars advance deposited . The number in my bank account sent a wave of quiet power through me . Real freedom started here . My phone buzzed relentlessly . Carson had spammed my inbox . [ 47 unread messages ] Last text : [ Clara , I cut things , off with Sarah ! She's insane ! Please give me another chance ? ] I didn't bother replying . Instead , I screenshotted it and sent it straight to Sarah . Five minutes later , the school forum erupted . An anonymous account had uploaded an audio clip - Sarah's voice , shrill and venomous , spewing curses so vile they left the comment section in stunned silence . Sipping my drinks , I scrolled through the escalating drama with a satisfied smile . Let the snakes devour each other . 5/5