The Secret of a Top Scorer

chapter 3

He stared at the admission letter, completely frozen.

Two minutes later, he looked up at me, his voice trembling slightly, "Ashley Easterlin? Are you sure your name is Ashley Easterlin?"

I looked at his expression, and my heart sank with a bad feeling.

Just as I was about to answer, Gideon responded first.

The school leader staggered upon hearing that.

He suddenly raised his hand, silencing the crowd, and the room instantly fell quiet.

Seeing this, Gideon and Lydia panicked a little.

The two turned to look at me, but I didn't look at them.

My eyes were fixed on the school leader's lips.

The next second, he coldly said, "Sorry, our school cannot admit you. I will immediately report to the admissions office to revoke your application."

In an instant, I felt dizzy. Fortunately, Gideon and Lydia caught me in time.

I looked at the school leader and asked him calmly, "Sir, please give me a clear reason."

"Your school has already admitted me, so what gives you the right to revoke it now?"

My hanging hand clenched tightly, my nails digging painfully into my skin.

I swore to myself that no matter what, I would uncover the truth today.

Gideon and Lydia chimed in, "Exactly! You've already admitted our daughter, how can you just change it like that?"

"Even though we haven't had much education, you can't do this. You must give us an explanation!"

The neighbors watching nearby whispered among themselves.

They all knew about my high SAT scores but no school was willing to admit me.

They were indignant, suspecting if I had offended someone. Otherwise, with my grades, every school would be competing to admit me.

Facing our questioning, the school leaders still said little.

He would only say, "No school would be willing to admit a student like you."

I kept asking, but got nothing.

As soon as the school leaders left, my family became the village's gossip, mocked and ridiculed.

"Ashley is just a money-waster, right? She tried for three years, but no school wants to admit her. It's a total waste of money!"

"You should give up on her going to college. Let her work and earn money! She's just a girl and will get married sooner or later."

"Exactly, let her work and earn back the money spent on her all these years!"

Hearing what everyone said, Gideon and Lydia were so angry they almost rushed up to fight them.

Lydia grabbed a broom and started chasing people out, her voice sharp. "Get out now! Stop being an eyesore to our family!"

"Our family matters are none of your business. If you dare talk nonsense again, I'll tear your mouths apart!"

Gideon said with a cold face, "Even if I have to work several jobs, I will make sure my daughter goes to college!"

Seeing our family's firm stance, those people had no choice but to leave while cursing.

I looked at the returned file again, unable to figure out what was wrong with my name.

Why did the schools that admitted me revoke it after seeing my name?

I can't figure it out, and I've pulled out quite a bit of my hair.

Gideon and Lydia looked at me squatting on the ground with bloodshot eyes, feeling both heartbroken and anxious for me.

Gideon smoked, helpless and frustrated.

Lydia was afraid I might hurt myself and kept trying to comfort me.

But at this moment, my mind is filled with failure after failure.

Could it be that Gideon and Lydia worked hard for me most of their lives, only to end up with nothing?

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my headI thought of vocational colleges.

I suddenly looked up. "Dad, Mom, I still have one last chance!"

"One week later, the vocational college admission results will be out. Maybe I can get in."

Hearing this, Gideon and Lydia also breathed a sigh of relief.

I thought to myself, vocational colleges are the most basic schools, even the lowest scorers can get in. Besides, I got the highest scorethere's no way I won't get in, right?

Our whole family pinned all our hopes on the vocational college.

After all, my grades are good. As long as I get into vocational college, I can continue to improve my education later.

Our family anxiously waited for a week, and finally, the admission letter arrived.

We held the admission letter, hugged tightly, and cried tears of joy.

Early the next morning, Gideon went to the street to buy some treats to celebrate.

Lydia bought me two new outfits, saying I couldn't look shabby when I went to college.

Our family sat together, happily eating and celebrating.

I said with great anticipation, "Dad, Mom, when I start working in the future, I'll definitely buy a big house and bring you to live there so you can enjoy life!"

Gideon and Lydia smiled with joy.

Lydia said, "Our biggest wish is for you to be safe and sound, and not to endure hardships like us in the future."

"I believe you will achieve great things in the future."

But I never expected the principal of the vocational school to personally come to my house and ask for the admission letter.

Thinking of the previous ordeal, my face turned pale instantly, and my legs went weak.

I instinctively wanted to hide the admission letter on the table.

But he was faster, and when he opened the admission letter, I cried.

When he saw "Ashley Easterlin," his face instantly darkened, and he took back the admission letter right in front of us.

He said, "Ashley, sorry, this admission letter is void. You can't attend our school."

I don't understand why it's still like this.

After the principal left, I locked myself in the room, devastated.

"Ashley? Ashley?" I murmured my name as if entranced.

Then, I rummaged through the entire room, frantically searching for my ID card.

I need to see for myself, what curse is on my name?

I pulled out my ID card and saw the name on it.

In that moment, I suddenly understood something!