Chapter 288:
The lecture dragged on for forty minutes until a short break finally came. Still, the students had to solve the problems scrawled on the blackboard. Zaylee stretched like she’d just run a marathon. “Finally, I can breathe.”
“Is Rylie teaching the next class?” a girl beside her asked.
Another girl chimed in, “I think it’s still Ms. Molina. Rylie’s not teaching us.”
“Rylie’s amazing,” Zaylee said, almost defensive. “She’s just been tired lately. Those questions up there are nothing to her.”
Letty turned from the board and cut in, saying, “Since I’ve been here, has she taught even one class?”
Zaylee’s smile faltered. “Please don’t say that, Ms. Molina. Rylie is really remarkable.”
The girl beside her rolled her eyes. “Come on, Zaylee. Stop trying to defend her. I bet she couldn’t even solve one of those problems. They’re tough, advanced math questions.”
Rylie glanced at the board with ease. “These aren’t hard. There are four solutions.”
Her comment drew Letty’s attention. Letty’s voice dripped with mockery. “Four solutions? Then expect you’ll show us in the next class.”
Letty had prepared in advance and knew there were only three solutions. Rylie seemed to speak without thinking. Letty wondered where Zaylee had found such a questionable tutor.
The tension in the room grew, broken only when the quiet girl in modest clothes slowly pulled out a plastic bag. Inside were spotless glass jars. “My mom made this jelly. She wanted me to share it with everyone.”
She handed a jar to each person. When she realized there was one extra guest, she hesitated, then slid her own jar toward Rylie. She turned to Zaylee and said softly, “Thank you for letting me join Ms. Molina’s class.”
Zaylee faked a smile. “You’re welcome.”
Rylie’s phone buzzed. One glance at the screen told her the research data was ready. She picked up the jelly and walked out of Zaylee’s room without another word.
Stay tuned galnov𝔢𝓵𝓼.co𝓂
Zaylee hurried after her, trying to soothe her. “Rylie, don’t let their words get to you. Nobody doubts what you can do.”
Rylie looked at her calmly. “I’m not upset. I just have things to finish. Can I go now?”
Zaylee let go of her hand. “Then you can tutor me next time.”
Rylie didn’t respond and walked away.
Back in the bedroom, Zaylee shifted uncomfortably and said, “Rylie couldn’t solve the problems, so she left.”
Letty smirked. “I thought so. She doesn’t have a clue, much less the ability to solve anything on that board.”
The girl in plain clothes hesitated before slowly raising her hand. “Ms. Molina, I didn’t understand much of what you explained earlier. Could you go over it again?”
Letty’s brow tightened. “That’s because you didn’t review the material or pay attention. I’ve already explained it in the simplest way possible. How could you still not understand?”
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