After her rebirth
Chapter 51

Clara's eyes lit up, and she tugged on Elodie's sleeve, "Mom, I wanna study abroad too."

Just as she said that, the host on stage called out the first-prize winner.

It was Juniper.

Juniper kept her cool, cracking a joke on the fly to lighten the mood. Plus, her speech game was on point.

The crowd went wild with applause. Juniper stood up, grinning, and the middle-aged guy next to her, who looked a lot like her, was beaming with pride. Clara felt a wave of disappointment, but a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

Where was Katniss? Was she still with Maximilian?

She had seen Maximilian before. Wasn't he supposed to be all cold and distant? Why was he always helping Katniss?

It had to be him who got Ruby expelled today.

Clara bit her lip. If someone as powerful as him was on her side, she would've snagged that first prize for sure.

The host kept announcing winners, but even after the third prize, Clara's name was still missing.

Elodie's face turned dark.

Putting aside everything else, just for this speech gig, Simon ended up in the police station, and Lucas shelled out a whole thirty grand.

The Manners family had given up so much, and Clara didn't even get a third prize. It was a total waste!

Clara snapped back to reality, her eyes welling up, "How could this happen! Mom, does this mean I won't get to study abroad?"

Simon found it odd too. Clara usually aced her studies, so how did she not even get a third prize?

"It must be Katniss and Maximilian stirring up trouble. Clara, wait here. I'm gonna talk to your leaders. This is so unfair!"

The more Elodie thought about it, the more convinced she was. Katniss must've been jealous and caused trouble. Why else would she suddenly change her mind about giving Clara the slot? It was just to mess with Clara! "Mom, forget it. It's my fault for not studying hard enough. If we go to the leaders and they say it's on me, what will my classmates think?" Clara covered her eyes and ran off.

Elodie quickly chased after her, trying to comfort her, forgetting about going to the school leaders.

Elodie said with concern, "Clara, don't cry. If you wanna study abroad, I'll pay to send you!"

Watching them run off, Simon hesitated for a moment, then headed towards the judges' table instead. Not far away, Katniss heard the loudspeaker announce Juniper as the first-prize winner and smiled.

She pushed Maximilian out of the school while listening to the announcement.

Unexpectedly, Clara didn't even get a third prize this time.

Maybe she didn't study well, or she did something shady before the competition, causing her to underperform. Earlier in the office, knowing there was no surveillance or concrete evidence, Katniss didn't push the matter further. Because even if she did, nothing would come of it.

Just like the laxative that was likely given to Ruby by Clara, they had no evidence to prove it directly.

Having been burned by Clara too many times before, Katniss knew catching her slipping up wouldn't be a walk in the park.

She just had to keep her distance from Clara and the Manners family.

Luckily, in this new chapter of her life, she had new family and friends.

Katniss looked down at Maximilian, her eyes sparkling, "Maximilian, Felix, thanks a ton for today!"

She didn't wanna bug Wesley and the others, so she hit up Felix.

To her surprise, Felix was down right away, and even more surprising, Maximilian tagged along too.

If Maximilian hadn't shown up, she might've had to put up with the bullying and figure out how to report it later.

Felix, still fuming from what he saw in the office earlier, said, "Katniss, how can your school's leaders let this slide, letting someone bully you! They only do this 'cause you got no one to back you up. Are your mom and brother even your real family? Good thing we got here in time. Next time something like this goes down, don't just take it. If they won't stand up for you, I will!"

Katniss felt like she had sand in her eyes today; why else did she keep wanting to cry?

Her eyes were sore, but she managed a slight smile, "Thanks, Felix. Sorry for the hassle today."

"No hassle at all."

Maximilian cut in before Felix could respond.

"Next time, just call me directly."

Katniss was taken aback.

Ever since she met Maximilian's grandpa at his place, she felt like Maximilian had been keeping his distance.

Every time she visited, Felix would say Maximilian was busy or not home, and sometimes she felt like Felix was lying.

Katniss remembered Maximilian telling her not to try to please him, so she thought she had been too eager and decided to back off.

But now, it seemed like the wall between them had come down.

Katniss didn't wanna seem too excited, fearing Maximilian would think she was trying to please him again, but she couldn't hide her smile and said, "Thanks, Maximilian!"

The autumn wind was chilly, but she felt warm inside as she pushed Maximilian to their car outside the school.

"Bye, guys! When I finish my exams, I'll whip up something delicious for you!"

Katniss waved, her voice sweet and clear, making it obvious how much she liked the people she was talking to.

Maximilian got into the car and, looking back, saw Katniss standing under the golden sycamore tree, waving high. Her white shirt and blue jeans blended with the autumn colors, creating a vibrant, dynamic painting. A strand of her smooth hair swayed in the wind, brushing against her dimpled face.

The car door closed.

The painting in his view was erased, leaving only the dark, static car door.

The car was quiet, with only faint noises as it moved.

After a long time, Maximilian looked out the window again.

"Felix, have someone go back to the school and send some medical ice packs."

Felix, who was driving, was slightly taken aback but quickly got it and used the intercom to inform the bodyguards in the car behind them.

There were few cars on the road, and Felix glanced at Maximilian's expression in the rearview mirror.

Was Maximilian no longer keeping his distance from Katniss?