Chapter 204
This was about as likely as the sun rising in the west.
Clearly, to Gordon, his nephew meant the world.
The more Skyler thought about it, the more excited he became.
“That’ll be three hundred thousand. Cash or transfer?” Gordon’s voice cut through
the air again.
Skyler froze.
So much for the excitement.
His uncle was as stingy as ever.
“A fee? Are you serious, Uncle? Am I really your nephew p>
“Le Palais des Thés is a rare treasure. You can’t just buy it anywhere. Do you really think I’d give a pack away for free to someone who wasn’t family? And you’re getting a huge discount. If not, how about I give you three hundred thousand and you try buying a pack for me p>
Skyler fell silent, but he had to admit his uncle had a point.
Three hundred thousand wouldn’t get you Le Palais des Thés.
Not even eighty grams.
Not even eight.
“Fine, I’ll transfer it.” Skyler pulled out his phone and sent Gordon the money without hesitation.
Only after the payment notification popped up did Gordon finally hand over the box of tea.
“Thanks, Uncle p>
September 1st.
The first day of school.
Caitlin and Celeste Hayes arrived at Central Academy right on time.
Luck was on their side-they’d both been placed in the same class.
Caitlin stared at the class assignments posted on the bulletin board. “March, it’s like fate wants us together p>
There were thirty transfer students, and with twenty-five senior classes, each class would only get one or two new students. The odds of her and Celeste ending up together were like winning the lottery.
“Honestly,” Celeste giggled, linking arms with Caitlin, “besides fate, my dad’s wallet might have played a role p>
“No wonder,” Caitlin laughed.
They headed off to the main office to check in.
Their homeroom teacher seemed warm and approachable.
“Caitlin and Celeste, right? Come with me p>
Senior year at Central Academy was intense and relentless. The students did nothing but study, study, and study some more-sometimes even gym class was sacrificed for extra coursework.
Speculating about the new transfer students—whether they’d be boys or girls, good-looking or not had become the only bright spot in everyone’s day.
“I heard the new transfers are named Caitlin and Celeste. Sounds like two girls, don’t you think p>
“Not necessarily. My name’s Morgan, but that doesn’t mean I’m a girl p>
The speaker was a sunny, good-looking boy. His parents had named him Morgan because they loved reading Gorky’s *The Song of the Stormy Petrel*. Thanks to his name, everywhere he went, people always assumed he was a girl.
“Haha, fair point. But Celeste doesn’t sound like a guy’s name, and Caitlin… I bet Caitlin’s a boy p>
Tiana Blake, who never saw eye-to-eye with Morgan, couldn’t resist chiming in. “Caitlin’s such a pretty name-no way that’s a boy. I’m calling it now, Caitlin’s a total knockout p>
“Yeah, I agree. Caitlin sounds like a gorgeous girl’s name p>
Morgan narrowed his eyes. “You really think a ‘total knockout’ could get the highest score in the transfer exam? Bet you didn’t know-Caitlin scored 710! Since when do girls hit that kind of number? Our school’s top three are always guys. It’s obvious-Caitlin’s a boy p>
“Good point p>
“Every time, our top three are boys. Only two girls ever make the top ten. Caitlin’s 710 beats even Carson by fifteen points! Morgan must be right-only a guy could dethrone Carson p>
Carson had been the unshakeable number one at Central Academy. No matter the exam, he never lost his spot-until now.
Tiana bristled. “Morgan, Bagot, you two just can’t stand the thought of girls being better! What’s this about ‘only boys can beat Carson’? Tell me how girls are any worse p>
Morgan turned to her with a smirk. “So what if I don’t think girls can do it? Facts are facts. Our top ten only has two girls, and they’re in seventh and ninth. If Caitlin’s a girl, I’ll streak across the football field. If you’re wrong, and Caitlin’s a boy, you take the dare p>
“Deal p>
Their argument was heating up when Ms. Belinda, their homeroom teacher, appeared at the front of the room like a wraith. “Quiet!” she snapped. “Look at yourselves—then look at Class Two and Class Three. You’re hands down the worst bunch I’ve ever taught p>
Everyone fell silent immediately. It was as if someone had hit pause on the whole room.
“Now,” Ms. Belinda continued, “let’s welcome our two new classmates. First up, Celeste. Let’s give her a round of applause p>
Celeste walked in, standing tall and calm as she faced her new classmates. “Hİ everyone, I’m Celeste Hayes p>
A deafening round of applause erupted.
“Knew it! Celeste’s a girl-and stunning, too p>
“She’s so pretty p>
“Total sweetheart p>
“Well, if Celeste’s a girl, then Caitlin must be a boy p>
“Tiana’s going to lose her bet p>
Ms. Belinda went on, “Next up is Caitlin-who scored an impressive 710 on the
transfer exam. Please give her a warm welcome p>
Here we go!
Everyone’s heads whipped toward the door-