Chapter 20

The organizers were very efficient, immediately inviting the top three to the stage to receive their awards. Each person received a corresponding certificate and a bank card.

Anna Ward stood next to Ethan Carter, her expression not looking good.

She had taken first place for several years, and thought this year would be no exception, but Ethan Carter took it instead.

To be fair, it was a matter of Anna Ward's mindset. Her thoughts were all on Chad Sullivan, and she read her books absentmindedly. In previous years, she could score 140 points, but this year only got 136. After all, she was still young, and her feelings were written all over her face.

By the time she went on stage, Anna Ward had already adjusted her expression, smiling as she said to Ethan Carter, "Congratulations, junior."

Ethan Carter wasn't good at small talk, so she simply replied, "Thank you, and congratulations to you too, senior Anna Ward."

Anna Ward sneered inwardly. So what if she got first place? She had seen people like Ethan Carter all her life—poor and plain, like gray dust, with nothing to offer except decent grades.

As for Anna Ward herself, she was beautiful, came from a wealthy family, and good grades were just the icing on the cake. What she had, Ethan Carter could never obtain in her lifetime.

The only thing that embarrassed her was that she had just told Chad Sullivan she would show them by taking first place, but now she was second.

After the photographer finished taking the group photo, the students all went home. Most parents comforted their disappointed children, then left the art museum together.

Ethan Carter walked at the very back.

She was still carrying her light blue backpack. By then, it was already noon, and the sun was blazing.

The sunlight hung high in the sky, and she couldn't help but lower her eyes, her hand gently shading her forehead. Outside, countless colorful balloons were hung up to celebrate Thanksgiving.

A slender, strong hand appeared in front of her eyes.

The boy was still wearing black leather gloves, holding a pink ice cream: "Ethan Carter."

She was startled and looked up at him.

He smiled. "What are you looking at me for? Take it."

Ethan Carter wasn't too fond of him and didn't want to accept anything from him. She stared at her toes. "Can I not take it?"

"Say that again and see what happens."

He was really fierce.

Ethan Carter had no choice but to reach out and take it.

Back then, such delicate ice cream wasn't popular in the country. After her mother passed away when she grew up, she never bought any snacks again. Time stretched on, and in her memory, ice cream always came in a bag, costing either one yuan or fifty cents.

But the one in her hand was different.

It was a little crown.

Luxurious Italian ice cream.

She saw it again a few years later, costing over a hundred yuan.

The water in the small fountain was crystal clear. Forced to hold it, she felt a bit at a loss.

Ethan Carter was really afraid he would like her again, just like in her previous life. So she mustered up the courage to ask him, "Why are you giving this to me?"

Chad Sullivan looked down at her, sensing her unease, and grinned recklessly. "Why? I lost a bet. Just eat it, stop whining."

Ethan Carter breathed a sigh of relief, her tone softening. "Thank you."

She smelled very nice; you could catch the scent just by getting close.

Like the first blooming gardenia of summer, light and fresh.

"Ethan Carter, are your grades really good?"

Ethan Carter found it hard to answer. "Just average."

Chad Sullivan couldn't help but laugh.

She felt inexplicably embarrassed. "What are you laughing at?"

"Laughing at how fake you are. If you're good, just admit it. Why the hell say 'just average'?"

But in her world, she had always been taught to be humble and gentle, never arrogant or self-satisfied. Chad Sullivan's presence was like the most rebellious, unrestrained beam of light, cutting through all her humble disguises. Ethan Carter's face turned bright red, and she found herself unable to argue back.

"I'm going home now." She took a step back, putting some distance between them.

Chad Sullivan curved his lips. "I'll walk you home then."

Ethan Carter was almost scared to death and quickly shook her head. "No need, there's a bus."

The smile at the corner of Chad Sullivan's mouth faded a little.

But Ethan Carter had already turned and walked away. She moved slowly, so Chad Sullivan could only see her back. He couldn't even say why, but he just felt a little mischievous.

Brian Foster stared in shock from a distance for a long time. Wasn't Brother Ren not even part of the bet?

Chad Sullivan walked over and tossed the motorcycle keys to him. "Take my bike back for me."

"Oh, okay."

Just as he was about to leave after giving instructions, Anna Ward suddenly called out, "Chad Sullivan!"

Chad Sullivan turned back impatiently. "What?"

"You didn't actually come to cheer me on today, did you?"

Chad Sullivan smiled. "What do you think?"

Anna Ward's eyes were almost red. "You came to see her... But everyone at our school knows her eyes..."

Chad Sullivan looked at her coldly. "Go on, finish what you were saying."

Anna Ward suddenly felt a chill in her heart. She had originally felt wronged. After all, everyone knew what kind of person Chad Sullivan was. She thought that after he broke up with Grace Turner, she would have a chance, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.

He actually came for Ethan Carter.

But Ethan Carter had problems with her eyes. Yet under Chad Sullivan's gaze, Anna Ward couldn't say a word.

She could only watch Chad Sullivan walk away.

Jack Miller was stunned for a long time. "I think... maybe Brother Ren is interested in Ethan Carter."