Molly couldn't stand Claire. She couldn't even remember when it started, just that every time she saw her, she wished Claire would vanish-out of Class One, out of Silverpeak International College, out of Apex, honestly, off the planet would be
great.
"So you're saying Claire did something to mess with Cindy's grades?" Octavia's eyes narrowed, sharp and suspicious.
If Claire really had done anything, there was no way Octavia would let her off the hook. Sure, Claire used to make her proud, but nothing and no one came before her own daughter.
Cindy shook her head. "Not really. She hasn't actually done anything that people can see."
Octavia frowned, looking unconvinced. “So, is she being sneaky about it? Did she get some troublemakers to pick on Cindy, or is she turning people against her at school?"
Cindy had always been the kid from the countryside. If her classmates started rejecting her, talking down to her, or making her feel like she didn't belong, it wouldn't surprise anyone if she just gave up on studying.
Molly shook her head again. None of that had happened, and there was no way she could just make stuff up. Octavia wasn't stupid, and she might even be her future mother-in-law, so Molly couldn't risk saying something that would backfire.
If Octavia ever found out she was lying, she'd never forgive her. Maybe she'd even start to hate her.
"I just think that stuff is too obvious, and Claire is way too smart to pull anything that could get her in trouble," Molly said carefully.
Octavia studied her, her gaze lingering a little too long. She could see right through girls like this, the ones who always wanted more. They were easy enough to manage.
"So what exactly did Claire do?"
“She's messing with Cindy's head, on purpose,” Molly replied, her voice dropping lower. "She's turning Cindy into the loser just to make herself look even better. Every single time she gets a good grade, it crushes Cindy's confidence a little more."
"The better Claire does, the more pressure Cindy feels, and then her grades get worse. It's like a cycle."
"It was still manageable before, but ever since Claire got into that winter camp, Cindy's been totally devastated."
"Honestly, Claire's grades are good enough that she could get into any top university even without the
winter camp. But now that sheet
going she might get a guaranteed spot. I'm worried Cindy's just going to give up completely."
Octavia finally understood what Molly was getting at. She didn't want Claire to go to
the winter camp. Was that what Cindy wanted, or just Molly?
If it was just Molly trying to use her to get what she wanted, Octavia wouldn't mind teaching her a lesson. But if Cindy genuinely didn't want Claire to go, that would be different.
"I get it, but Claire was already chosen. She's still my daughter, even if she didn't stay with the James family Octavia said... "Honestly, I'm happy she's dong well. Her going to the winter camp is already set. I can't change that."
Octavia took a sip of her coffee, watching Molly closely. Just as she expected,
Molly's face fell at the mention of supporting Claire.
She's got a lot going on in that head of hers.
"But if Claire goes to the winter camp, she could get a guaranteed spot at a top university. What about Cindy?" Molly pressed. Every day Cindy bears people talking about Claire going, and she just can't focus. She's in such a bad mood."
"If this keeps going, I'm really worried she'll break down. Kids these days get depressed so easily, and if Cindy keeps feeling this way, it could happen to her too."
Molly went on about how Claire was making things worse for Cindy, how every success of Claire's was a setback for Cindy.
Octavia looked thoughtful for a moment. "Why is Cindy taking it so hard?"
"Claire's grades are good because she works for it. Wouldn't it make more sense for Cindy to just focus on her own studies?"
Octavia let out a sigh, pretending to be troubled, but her mind was already made up.