Zuri didn't waste words. "Just one question: are you going to run or not?"
Farida and the others exchanged glances, avoiding eye contact with Zuri. Running? That was utterly humiliating. Not running? They didn't dare say that out loud. Whoever spoke up first would become the target, the scapegoat.
Neither Farida nor the seemingly carefree but deeply calculating Eduardo wanted to take the lead.
"We're not running. What can you do about it?" Natalie finally spoke up, voicing their collective thoughts.
The others breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that since Natalie had said it, they were just following her lead. Any repercussions would fall on Natalie first.
Sure enough, the surrounding students were shocked.
"Wow, so shameless."
"I can't believe it. Natalie's really outrageous."
"That's just brazen beyond belief."
"Natalie never speaks the truth. She lies without blinking, and now she's blatantly reneging on a bet. Truly despicable."
Azura was dumbfounded by such audacity.
Zuri turned to Eduardo and Farida. "What about you?"
"You can't prove the results are real. If you can prove it, we'll honor the bet," Elysia grasped at an excuse.
Some students couldn't stand it anymore.
"Just say you don't want to honor the bet. Don't be so shameless."
"Exactly, don't treat us all like fools."
Faced with the crowd's scorn, Farida frowned and stepped forward. "Why did you only score 280 on the Windsor Academy entrance exam? And now you top the class? Our doubts aren't unfounded. We heard you did poorly at your previous school."
"Heard? Who told you that?" Zuri asked with a smile. "Oh, I get it. You must have heard it from my so-called 'friends,' right? They said I had terrible grades and was a slacker. That's why you dared to bet against me in the cafeteria."
"Don't change the subject. What about the scores? Can't cover up your lie?" Farida pressed on.
Zuri chuckled. "Did they tell you why I scored only 280? Because I missed three of the five exams. There are surveillance tapes from the exam rooms. Check them if you don't believe me."
The Windsor Academy entrance exam had five subjects. Zuri only took two but still scored 280. That meant she scored a perfect 120 in one and 160 in the other, exceeding the maximum score.
Samara thought she found a flaw. "You're a liar. The total score for five subjects is 630. How did you get 280 from just two?"
Under the suspicious gazes, Zuri remained composed. She pulled out the exam papers from her bag, not showing them to Farida and her group but to the surrounding students. Everyone finally understood.
The math paper, originally scored out of 120, had an additional ten points.
A top student exclaimed after seeing it, "The problem-solving methods here are only taught in college!"
Azura looked at Zuri in astonishment. Zuri had anticipated they wouldn't keep their word and had even predicted their excuses. So, she had retrieved her exam papers from the administration office beforehand.
With the exam papers, Zuri could prove her competence and shut down all their excuses.
The top students marveled at Zuri's advanced knowledge and problem-solving methods, while the less academically inclined looked forward to seeing Saira, Eduardo, and Farida running with turtle shells.
"Honor the bet," Zuri said, handing a green turtle shell to Farida. Azura stepped in to help distribute the shells.
When Zuri handed one to Saira, Saira looked at her pitifully. "Zuri, do you really have to do this? For the sake of sisterhood, can we just let this go?"
Sisterhood?! Zuri almost felt sick. This was coming from the person who had stolen her life and sabotaged her at every turn. Sometimes, Zuri had to admire Saira's shamelessness.
Azura, disgusted by Saira, snapped, "Stop talking and put on the shell."
Saira was annoyed by Azura's interference but didn't dare oppose her due to Azura's status. She tried to pressure Zuri with her gaze, hoping Zuri would relent out of familial duty.
"Call me Zuri. Also, we aren't close."
Zuri's words implied they should follow through with the bet.
Samara, unable to bear it, said, "Saira, don't beg such a person."
"No need to beg her. If we have to run, we run."
"Exactly."
Led by Samara, the group was indignant, hating Zuri's smug attitude.
Zuri glanced at Farida and the others, sighing inwardly. Saira's manipulative tactics were impressive. With a few words, she had gained Samara and the others' gratitude.
Since Saira wanted to win people over, how could Zuri not help her?
"I can let them off," Zuri said.
Saira's face lit up. "Really?"
"Of course. I have one condition: since you're so righteous, run for them. Just ten laps. Is that too much?"
The surrounding students thought it was lenient, even Farida and the others felt Zuri was being sincere.
After all, they lost the bet. Zuri was clearly compromising, and significantly so, showing real goodwill.
Saira's smile froze. Running ten laps with a turtle shell was humiliating, worse than death for someone as prideful as her.
"If you don't want to, we can stick to the original agreement," Zuri said nonchalantly.
You claim to be righteous? Prove it with actions, not just words.
Zuri's ultimatum put Saira in a bind. She had two choices: become a laughingstock and maintain Farida and the others' friendship or refuse and reveal her true colors, losing their friendship.
Saira knew the consequences of both options, neither of which she wanted. She hoped someone would oppose Zuri. She looked at Natalie, but Naya discreetly held Natalie back.