The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 52

Shirley always started to stutter when she got nervous. It was the thing everyone at school teased her about the most.

The moment she finished talking, two girls standing by the door couldn’t help but snicker, mocking her under their breath.

“B-b-because… I… I… abba abba…”

They burst into laughter, their sharp voices echoing through the crowd like little knives. Each giggle landed hard on Shirley’s heart.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but embarrassment made her drop her head. Her voice came out so small it was almost a whisper. “Charlotte, as long as you’re okay… I… I’ll go now.”

She turned away, but Charlotte grabbed her gently by the collar and held out a box of pastries. “Take it.”

Shirley shook her head, refusing. She didn’t dare get closer to Charlotte. Thank goodness Charlotte wasn’t afraid of snakes, and at least she hadn’t been scared today. But who knew what those girls would come up with next?

“Take it!”

Charlotte’s voice was a little sharper now. Shirley jumped and quickly took the box, worried she’d made Charlotte upset. Charlotte was her first friend at Vanguard High School, and Shirley treasured that.

“Hey, isn’t that from The Oak & Vine?” one of the girls at the door whispered, her eyes wide.

“Yeah, it is. My dad got some when someone wanted a favor from him. They’re crazy expensive. Just one tiny piece costs almost ten thousand.”

“How could someone like Charlotte, straight from the countryside, afford something like that? Makes no sense.”

“I heard her main family wanted to send her to Pathfinder Academy, but she went behind their backs and pulled some strings to get into Vanguard instead. Who knows what she did to make that happen.”

“A problem kid gets into Vanguard High, then hands out a cake worth nearly ten grand like it’s nothing… She must have some serious connections.”

The two girls exchanged looks, not saying it outright, but everyone could read between the lines.

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