Chapter 8 Gianna was the physics teacher and homeroom advisor. This afternoon, she announced a surprise physics quiz When the tests were distributed, Chloe glanced at hers. The questions covered only very basic physics- the kind where a quick look gives away the answers. Swiftly. Chloe filled in all the answers, put the test aside, and resumed reading her journal . Gianna paced around the classroom. Although this class was the worst in the school, there were a few promising students who, with some guidance, might even get into a top-tier university. Gianna stopped behind a few high-achieving students and sighed. The last three problems were higher- order thinking questions-slightly tougher . But if a student knew all the formulas well, they could plug in and solve them. Yet, no one had gotten them right. Gianna walked a few steps and stopped by Chloe's desk. She frowned. The student is reading an extracurricular book during a physics exam Gianna said nothing. With so many underperforming students-like Callum dozing off and Vincent sneaking his phone under the table -it was impossible to monitor them all. Gianna had learned to pick her battles, focusing on those who showed any effort. Just as she turned to leave, Gianna noticed Chloe's test. The last problems all had correct answers, but no work showed. "Chloe," Gianna said softly, "where's your work for these questions?" Chloe looked up. I didn't write it." " How did you get the right answers, then? " Gianna asked, puzzled. "By guessing?" ng she gets them all right,' Gianna thought. "If that's the case, it's amazing "I used this formula," Chloe said, jotting it on a scrap of paper. "I did it in my head-no need to show steps." Gianna's eyes widened. That formula wasn't even part of high school physics-college students in physics majors might not even know it. More importantly, it required plugging in at least five numbers with multiplications and divisions, Mental calculation should've made that impossible. " Come to my office, Gianna said . Chloe closed her book and followed her . Then a similar problem on the spot. Gianna handed her a blank sheet and presented a Without hesitation, Chloe wrote a number on the paper-correct to eight decimal places. Gianna was shell shocked . Still disbelieving, she gave Chloe an even more complex physics problem-well beyond the high school curriculum You Chloe, almost instinctively, wrote the correct answer . "You Gianna adjusted her glasses . "Chloe , how can you do that?" Gianna thought, 'Erord High School isn't the top in the city, and Chloe has previously focused more on humanities However, she learns hall a year's worth of physics this well? Seems impossible" "I liked the sciences in middle school and self.studied the entire high school science curriculum in the first semester of sophomore year," Chloe lied while lowering her gaze "I focused on humanities in high school because I was worried about credits." "That's a shame," Gianna said more gently. "Do one physics competition problem for me in the office-show me everything. Write out 1/3 P Chapter 8 each step. Chloe nodded and obediently put down the formulas and calculations. Suddenly, Gianna's phone rang-she stepped out to answer. As soon as she left. Zayne entered the office with homework, glanced at Chloe, shook his head in disbelief Zayne muttered. She actually follows me all the way to the teacher's office? She's got serious nerve. Then Zayne dropped off his work and left. Chloe didn't even notice him. She quickly completed the competition problem. With no sign of Gianna returning, Chloe started sketching geometric curves on a spare sheet-parabolas were oddly interesting to draw. And she serendipitously discovered their unique convergence properties. "Done already?" Gianna returned, hung up, and scanned the paper. She swallowed hard. This was a national physics competition problem. Last year, top student Zayne represented the school and only missed one part, yet still earned a national gold medal. And Chloe got it entirely correct. "*17 get you a set of International Physics Olympiad problems next," Gianna said. "But for now, head back to class." Chloe felt a dull ache in her head. She thought, These papers are too easy. "Writing out all the steps felt like a waste of time, but I'm just an ordinary high school student. I can't refuse a teacher's request. Thinking this, Chloe rose and left the office. As she walked out, a scrap of paper fell from the desk, landing near the feet of the math teacher of Class 20, Luke. Luke was drafting a research paper. Bending down to pick it up, he saw sketches of parabolas and written calculations-not his handwriting. Just as he was about to pass it across, he paused. The equations on the paper matched exactly the problem he was currently exploring Even more astonishing: she'd taken it to the final step. Luke's blood surged with excitement. Luke hesitated a moment before looking up. "Gianna, do you still want this scrap!" Since Luke called it scrap, Gianna naturally declined. When Chloe returned to the classroom, the chatter stopped instantly. Obviously, they were discussing her. Everyone knew being called to the office by a teacher wasn't usually good. But Chloe didn't mind and resumed reading her journal. After afternoon classes ended, she packed her books , ready to return to Ocimond Villa. Callum followed her. "I heard you skipped club activities the last couple days. Got plans? Take me with you ? " Chloe kept walking forward. I have something to do. "What's the thing?" Callum pursued. "Where are you going? I've got a car-I'll give you a ride." "Don't follow me. It's annoying Chloe glared, opened a taxi door, and got in, signaling the driver to go. Vincent rubbed his chin. "Do you know, Callum? I'm starting to think Chloe doesn't have a crush on you ." "Ever been in a relationship? You don't know anything . " Callum snorted . "Can't you see she's shy? My flattery threw her off. She just needs a couple days to get used to it." Vincent considered, then said, "Maybe she just doesn't get your message. Otherwise, couldn't she just confess? I can't wait to see her cry Callum paused and laughed . "Look it up-what does it take to confessd" Chloe arrived at Octmund Villa soon after. The butler welcomed her in and escorted her to the lobby 102 PM P P. Chapter 8 Chloe spotted Michael sitting on the sofa, holding a little girl around four or five years old close in his arms Next to him sat a woman in her twenties, dressed in a fitted skirt-elegant and composed.