Chapter 21 Alaric was pacing back and forth , clearly troubled about the upcoming competition . Lucian clapped him on the back , Once the scores are in , Ill have a word with her . The match is crucial , after all . Alaric was displeased , Lemira begged me for ages to teach her how to play , and now shes trying to corner me . When did she get so cunning ? If push comes to shove , lets get Asher involved . Lemira wouldnt dare snub him ! Evelina , listening in from the side , was seething . She had no intention of giving up her spot to Lemira ! It was her spot , fair and square ! Upon Lemiras arrival at school , the buzz was all about the recent exam scores . velinas sidekick , eyeing Lemira , loudly commented , Someones been working so hard lately . Wonder how much it paid off . Lemira , feigning calm , pulled out her textbooks to review , yet her nerves on edge . Soon , the teacher arrived with the scorecards , stirring excitement in the air . Quiet down , the teacher said , tapping the desk . Overall , the scores werent great . Its no time to slack off . Evelina , in particular , youve slid back quite a bit . Evelinas face paled in an instant . She knew she hadnt been on her game , but this was worse than she feared . The teachers gaze then shifted to Lemira , pausing before saying , However , Lemira , youve shown remarkable improvement . Keep it up . Evelinas lackey pressed , Sir , what rank is Lemira now ? Shes now in the top 100 of the grade . The room erupted with chatter at that . A smile broke on Lemiras face . She actually did it ! Thrilled , she thought about reporting back to Orion . Her efforts during this period of time hadnt been in vain . If she kept up this pace , she might even stand a chance at getting into Orvin University ! Sir , I suspect somethings off with Lemiras score . Theres no way she couldve improved so much so quickly ! The room fell silent at that accusation , with skeptical eyes turning towards Lemira . Even the teacher , looking at Lemiras rank , harbored doubts , though he acknowledged her recent hard work . Evelina spoke up softly , Sir , Lemmy really wanted to prove herself , especially since she bet with her brother . So , please , lets not doubt her score . It means a lot to Lemmy . Her plea was beautifully crafted . Yet , Lemiras expression turned scornful . Evelinas manipulation was top tier , indeed . No wonder shed been controlled by Evelina in the previous life . Predictably , the teacher , swayed by Evelinas words , started to suspect Lemira might have cheated to win the bet . Evelinas lackey added fuel to the fire , Sir , you cant cover for cheaters . Both Eve and Lemira have been prepping for their familys team competition . Eves scores dropped so much , its impossible for Lemira to advance like this ! Another chimed in , Yeah , for fairness , Lemiras scores should be disqualified . Seeing the teacher waver , Evelina knew shed won again . Lemira , daring to outperform her ? Didnt she know the consequences ? Lemira , wont you explain yourself ? Lemira , feeling his doubtful gaze , simply stated , I did not cheat . Her words were few , but shed said all she intended . In her past life , any time she outdid Evelina , she would stir up In "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" by CrushReel, Zoe Hale takes a daring step by marrying Ashton Cross, a man under suspicion for her sister's mysterious demise. As their relationship evolves, hidden truths unravel, intertwining love and suspense in this captivating romance novel. Exploring the complexities of loyalty and deception, the story delves deep into Zoe's quest for justice while navigating the unexpected twists of her heart. The enigmatic bond between Zoe and Ashton unfolds against a backdrop of secrets and revelations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page. Set in a blend of romance and drama, "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" stands out for its intricate character dynamics and the seamless fusion of passion and intrigue. With every chapter, CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that immerses readers in a world where love confronts darkness, leaving them yearning for more. Discover the enthralling saga of Zoe and Ashton, available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in this unique tale that defies conventions and promises an unforgettable literary experience.