the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart-Chapter 979

The next day at school, the seating in Class 5 of the senior year was rearranged by the homeroom teacher according to the students’ grades.

Crystal Landon was placed in the last row, by the window. Because of her excellent grades, Nova Howard was placed at the front.

As soon as the seating chart was posted, Sophia Winton, snapping out of admiring Mr. Howard, led a few classmates over to Crystal’s seat, mocking her sarcastically.

Crystal, still smarting from the 59 she got on her English test the night before, gave a cold laugh when she saw Sophia boldly approaching and said, "If you have the guts, don’t leave after school."

Sophia’s previously smug face stiffened instantly. Remembering the two times she was beaten up before, not even knowing how she ended up on the ground, she became a bit apprehensive and stammered, "I’m going to tell the English teacher you’re threatening me."

Crystal burst out laughing, lazily crossing her arms, and said with a sneer, "Go ahead, do it now."

Sophia led a group of girls away in a huff; she really couldn’t win in a fight or an argument - it was infuriating.

For several days in a row, Crystal was buried in test papers day and night, with her head spinning from all the subjects. She sought help from Hawk Howard for physics and chemistry, and from Richard Shaw for math. Bullying Sophia and her group was just another way for her to pass her time.

After realizing the resentment her parents and sister held towards her, she had completely neglected her studies. Now that she was trying to catch up, it was really hard work. Fortunately, even though her academics had been neglected for years, her social skills and ability to live independently were unmatched by most.

It was around that time that she inadvertently helped a middle-aged man, who turned out to be quite skilled. He taught her many things, even about different kinds of firearms, and trained her in mixed martial arts, shooting, and other survival skills - the very basis of her confidence to roam about the Imperial City.

This was her biggest secret, one the man had warned her never to tell anyone.

So Crystal did not regret her years of neglected studies; spending four years gaining a clear view of her position within the Landon Family was better than being foolishly ignorant.

The toughest first week of the school year finally passed, and by Friday, Crystal was cheerfully making her way back to the Shaw Family’s home, planning to accompany the old lady over the weekend to get a couple of new outfits made. She remembered once seeing the old lady from the Howard Family, dressed in a gorgeous silk cheongsam. Mrs. Shaw preferred something more simple, like a velveteen cheongsam, plain yet retro.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that she almost barreled straight into Richard Shaw as he was coming out of the Shaw Mansion. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Why are you in such a rush?" Richard saw a graceful figure swoop towards him like a butterfly. He caught a hint of her fresh, natural scent, mingling with the oppressive heat of September, filling the air with an enticing aroma.

The man reflexively reached out to stop Crystal’s head from bumping into his chest. His chest was muscular and solid, and if she hit it, this pampered and willful young lady would end up clutching her head and crying in pain.

"Did you come out specifically to meet me?" Crystal’s eyes lit up as she asked.

During her time at the Shaw Mansion, Crystal fully experienced the warmth of family. Granny Shaw always treated her as one of her own, speaking without any formality, and caring for her meticulously, just like a real grandmother.