Novel Palace
Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Cordelia lazily picked up her phone and drawled, “Hello?”
A voice came through from the other end, “Hi, is this Cordelia Delaney? This is the admissions office from Superiority College.”
She froze. “Uh?”
“We’ve noticed your outstanding performance in the National Math League and would like to extend an invitation for you to join our college. Are you interested?”
Cordelia blinked slowly, glanced at the number on the screen, and promptly hung up.
Merry asked, “What’s up?”
Cordelia, head down, kept working on her problems, “Scam call
She had just learned today that Superiority College wouldn’t bother with the National League, and now someone was trying to trick her. No wonder the orphanage director always stressed the importance of being wary of con artists.
After five more minutes of intense focus, she stood up, ready to tackle some physics problems in prep for the exam this weekend.
But as she set down her pen, Latham stumbled in, looking entirely out of sorts, his gait unsteady, his dark face clouded with confusion. He locked eyes with Cordelia the moment he walked in, “Did you just hang up on Superiority College’s admissions?”
Cordelia was confused as the room fell deathly silent.
Merry, sensing something big, pressed, “Latham, what did you say?” Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
Latham swallowed hard, “The admissions office of Superiority College called the school, asking for you. They were wondering if you hung up because you’re considering Top Crest Academy, or maybe you have other plans?”
Everyone was baffled, unable to fathom what was happening.
After all, the National League wasn’t something that could shake the likes of Superiority College or Top Crest Academy!
Cordelia remained calmer than the rest but was slow to respond, taking a good two seconds before realization dawned, “That wasn’t a scam call?”
Latham was at a loss for words, so did the others.
Merry was trying not to scream with excitement. Superiority College was the dream for so many, and here Lia had just hung up on them. Cordelia was a legend!
Then, it dawned on Merry to ask, “Why, would Superiority College call you?”
Cordelia tilted her head, pondering, “They mentioned something about a special admission?”
Her classmates thought they were immune to shock by now, with Lia causing a stir since the day she transferred in.
Merry felt a rush of vindication, turning to a classmate who had doubted Cordelia earlier, “Who was it that said Lia was overreaching?”
That classmate turned embarrassed, “No way!”
Ignoring their bickering, Latham blurted out, “So, Cordelia, what’s your decision? The math department at Top Crest Academy is top–notch. If you’re aiming for that, acing the Mathematics Olympiad should be a breeze for you.”
11:19
Cordelia cocked her head, not yet committed, but Latham continued, “Think it over for a day, and let us know
tomorrow”
Cordelia didn’t need to think, actually
But since Latham had asked, she picked up her phone, Ti ask
Latham nodded. It was only proper to discuss such matters with a guardian
Cordelia opened her messaging app, texting Mr. All Round, Sir, Superiority College has offered me a spot. Should I sign the early admission agreement?”
She idolized Mr. All–Round and trusted him implicitly.
Always quick to reply, Mr. All–Round typed back, ‘What are your plans for the future?
LearnLover replied, ‘To get into Superiority College and continue my studies.
Mr. All–Round continued, ‘Then why hesitate? You can start now, get in touch with potential mentors, and dive into your studies early.‘
Her eyes widened with the realization. She looked up at Latham, her voice firm, “I’ll sign.”
The next day, a representative from Superiority College arrived in Greenmeadow with the first early admission contract this year.
The admissions officer, a sophisticated and gentle middle–aged woman, explained the contract to Cordelia, “Signing this doesn’t lock you into our university. If Top Crest Academy decides to recruit you, you can still opt
out.”
So, the contract was more of a commitment on the university’s part than Cordelia’s. She was even more enamored with Superiority College, which seemed more interested in nurturing talent than restricting it.
She signed her name. With that, she became a reserve member of Superiority College!
And there were still nine months to go until the college entrance exams, a full year until matriculation.
That evening, back at home, Lorna had prepared a celebratory cake.
“Lia, from today, you can enjoy life!” Lorna beamed with pride, “You’re a university student now!”
Cordelia was calm.
Unable to keep up her pretense any longer, Juliana balled her fists and stormed off upstairs.
After dinner, as everyone else dispersed, Cordelia stood and headed upstairs, the future unfolding before her.
Lorna quirked a brow, “What are you off to do now?”
Cordelia’s expression remained unreadable as she muttered, “Grinding through practice problems.”
“What?”
“I have the physics competition tomorrow, and there’s the Mathematics Olympiad in November. Lots of books still to get through,” she explained.
Lorna gasped in disbelief, “You’re still up for those?”
Cordelia nodded, “Yeah, they’re kind of fun.”
She had breezed through the high school curriculum on her own, but found these competition problems to be a different beast, full of concepts she hadn’t encountered before.
After Cordelia headed upstairs, Lorna fretted, “How on earth is Lia supposed to fall in love with her nose always stuck in a book?”
Sanderson was speechless. Just moments ago, he was wondering which young punk might end up with his daughter. Now, he inexplicably felt a twisted sense of relief.
11:19
When Cordelia went to compete in the physics competition, a scandal erupted online.
A buzzworthy post from an influential blogger hit the web, “Scandal at the prestigious Superiority College everyone longs to attend!”
The expose began with the admission of a student to Superiority College through a special recruitment program following the National League, then questioned, “With another candidate, Keen, having an equally impressive record, why was he not chosen instead of Cordelia? Is it because the Delaney family is richer?” “A reliable source suggests the special recruitment was at the behest of a top–tier professor at the college. Could it be that this professor was bribed by the Delaney family?”
“Superiority College, a beacon of excellence, tarnished from within. We demand the admissions office to take strict action against both the professor and the student, and strip Cordelia of her SAT eligibility!”
The post sent shockwaves across the internet.