The test results were posted on Monday morning.
The classroom buzzed with noise as students crowded around the notice board, voices overlapping in excitement and complaints.
Ariana walked confidently to the front, her friends parting easily to let her through.
She had always done well.
Always been admired.
Always been first.
Her eyes scanned the list—once, twice—before narrowing.
She froze.
1st — Mira Hale
2nd — Ariana Blackwood
The air around her seemed to thicken.
"That has to be a mistake," Ariana said sharply.
Her friends leaned in.
"Who even is Mira Hale?"
Ariana's fingers curled slowly into fists.
Behind her, Mira stood quietly, her expression calm. She hadn't rushed forward. She hadn't smiled. She hadn't celebrated.
She had already expected it.
---
During class, whispers followed Mira wherever she went.
"She's smart."
"She's really pretty too."
"Have you seen her eyes?"
Ariana heard every word.
She stared at Mira's reflection in the window—clear skin, composed posture, natural elegance that didn't try too hard.
No designer bag.
No loud laughter.
No begging for attention.
And yet… everyone looked at her.
Ariana's jaw clenched.
She has nothing, Ariana thought bitterly.
So why does she look like she owns the place?
---
At lunch, Ariana slammed her tray down across from Mira.
"So," she said loudly, "how does it feel stealing first place?"
Mira looked up calmly. "I didn't steal anything."
"You think because you studied a little harder, you're better than me?"
"I think," Mira replied evenly, "that scores are based on answers. Not names."
The table went silent.
Ariana's face burned.
"You're just lucky," Ariana snapped. "People like you always are."
Mira tilted her head slightly. "People like me?"
Ariana stood abruptly. "Don't act innocent."
She walked away, her friends scrambling after her.
Mira exhaled slowly and returned to her meal.
---
That evening, Dominic was reviewing documents in his study when his phone buzzed.
A notification from the academy.
Top Student: Mira Hale
His eyes paused on the name.
He frowned.
Later, as he passed the living room, he saw Mira seated at the table, books spread neatly in front of her. She was solving problems methodically, her expression focused, composed.
Not desperate.
Not greedy.
Disciplined.
For the first time, doubt crept in.
Gold diggers don't work like this, a voice whispered in his mind.
Dominic shut the door to his study harder than necessary.
---
Upstairs, Ariana locked herself in her room.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror—perfect hair, expensive dress, flawless skin.
Yet her hands shook.
Because for the first time in her life, someone had arrived who didn't try to compete—
And still won.