Novel Storm
Chapter 111
Chapter 111
Lorna used to find embarrassing Funny a boring thing, but now, as the words left her mouth, there was a thrilling rush of satisfaction.
Especially when she saw Fanny freeze, her eyes wide with shock, Lorna couldn’t help but revel in the moment
even more.
She casually brushed her bangs aside with a flick of her hand and continued with a smile, “Can you believe it? Our girl got accepted on a scholarship, and she’s still hitting the books when she could be scrolling through her phone or hanging out.”
Fanny glanced over at Cordella, who was indeed not playing on her phone, but diligently working on some math problems.
Fanny wasn’t up to date with the high school system these days, so she didn’t doubt Lorna’s words. But Sallie frowned, clearly skeptical, “That can’t be right.”
“What’s wrong?” Fanny asked, puzzled.
Sallie directed her gaze toward Cordelia, “The early admissions season hasn’t even started. Even if we’re talking about academic competitions, the finals haven’t taken place yet. How could she have been accepted already? And to Superiority College of all places?”
Sallie spoke with a hint of pride that drew the attention of nearby onlookers, who started to gather around.
“What’s going on?” a nosy party–goer asked, and soon a group of society ladies had joined the fray.
Fanny couldn’t help but smirk, “Oh Lorna, there’s no need for fibs. I might not know about early college admissions, but my Sallie here does. So, because I mentioned she’s attending Ontoky University, that’s the reason you claimed your daughter got accepted into Superiority College?”
The topic of Cordelia’s scholarship was something only high school students and their parents were concerned with. As these parents were busy with their own careers, they didn’t usually pay much attention to others” affairs, so most were clueless.
Hearing Fanny’s words, the crowd started chattering.
“Just a bit of one–upmanship. But making up a story about Superiority College? That’s a bit much, isn’t it? Who even gets into that university?”
“Our kids are looking abroad anyway. Many of them are studying overseas. No need for such comparisons.”
“Exactly, Mrs. Delaney. This kind of behavior is in poor taste.”
As the accusations piled up, Lorna grew desperate, “My daughter really did get accepted, and it’s all over the internet. You can look it up. There are plenty of Lia’s classmates here, and they can vouch for her.”
Her adamant response made the crowd waver.
Fanny turned to Sallie, asking, “Sallie, what do you have to say?”
Sallie spoke up. Traditionally, scholarships are based on academic performance, and while Greenmeadow International School does have its slots, Superiority College doesn’t usually offer
them to such institutions Another way is through competition scholarships. Someone who clinches a national championship in contests like math or physics might get scouted, or have their entry requirements lowered. Of course, there are also prodigies who make significant breakthroughs in certain fields and get admitted on those grounds, but they’re few and far between.”
Fanny looked at Lorna, “You hear that? Few and far between.”
Unfazed, Lorna retorted, “Well, my Lia is one of those exceptional few.”
Sallie couldn’t help but scoff, This year, I’ve only heard of one person getting a scholarship like that.
Apparently, she solved Batra’s Conjecture and made an outstanding contribution to the field of mathematics. That got her an offer from Superiority College. The girl’s name is Cordelia.”
The room fell silent.
Fanny turned to Lorna, “What now? Cat got your tongue?”
Instead of crumbling, Lorna smiled confidently and said, “Oh dear, I’ve been so caught up talking to you that I forgot to introduce her properly.” She pointed to Cordelia and announced to everyone present, “This is my daughter, Cordelia Delaney.”
The revelation caused an uproar.
Sallie and the others stared at Cordelia in disbelief. Usually, those immersed in research, particularly in mathematics, were expected to be bespectacled, possibly balding, and not necessarily easy on the eyes. But here was Cordelia, delicate and stunningly beautiful. It seemed improbable.
The crowd was filled with the children of the affluent, but few had ever managed to secure a place at Superiority College.
Thus, the news quickly spread across the party.
Soon, Lorna and Cordelia were surrounded by an even larger audience. Even the most successful parents admired a child with stellar academic achievements, leading them to point Cordelia out to their high schoolers, “See that? That’s Cordelia. She got a scholarship to Superiority College.”
One of the teens rolled their eyes, “Mom, I already knew. She’s the top student in our senior year, aced math and physics competitions, and I heard she’s made some kind of breakthrough. All the top universities are scrambling for her. Some people are just natural geniuses, and let’s not compare, okay?”
The mothers, initially hoping to inspire their children, now looked at Cordelia with even more respect.
The whispers and buzz continued.
The Foster family was also in attendance. Hanley obediently followed his parents, Belinda and Edwin, greeting the adults they knew. As they walked, they overheard some pointed remarks,
“What a shame the Fosters called off that engagement, huh? Bet they’re kicking themselves now.”
“‘d they break it off?”
“They say it was because their boy Hanley was too academically inclined and they thought Cordelia wasn’t up to par. So they switched to Kermit’s daughter.”
“They called her academically lacking? Is their boy Hanley going to get into a better university than Superiority College?”
Belinda’s face darkened at these comments.
Hanley felt humiliated as if he had been slapped across the face.
Edwin’s frown deepened, his displeasure clear.
The group hadn’t noticed the trio eavesdropping as they continued their conversation, their voices neither loud
nor soft,
“Man, I wish I had a boy around her age to set up with her. Do you think Ms. Delaney would go for someone six years younger?”
*Six years? Your kid’s still in grade school, isn’t he?”
*Dream on, folks. You all forget why we’re here today? It’s Hackett’s birthday bash, but there’s another agenda, remember?”
*You mean….
“Yeah, that’s right. When it comes to looks, she’s top–notch. And she’s not just a pretty face, smart as a whip.
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too. I bet Hackett’s considering playing matchmaker with Mr. Wallace.”
“Well, wouldn’t that be a stroke of luck?”
Fanny and Sallie had overheard the conversation, and their expressions darkened.
Just then, a voice chimed in, “Oh, you’ve got it all wrong.” All eyes turned to Rachel as she spoke.
Rachel rarely found herself the center of attention, and this moment brought a tinge of smugness to her face, though she tried to hide it with a dismissive sneer, “Sure, our Cordelia’s a looker and she hits the books hard, but pity she’s picked herself up a pretty boy outside of our circles, some say he’s a real troublemaker.”
“What?.” The crowd was stunned.
Fanny felt a surge of triumph and couldn’t resist a taunting look at Lorna, “Who would’ve thought your daughter would end up with such a loser for a boyfriend?”