NovelUSAChapter 287 The Carmichaels' hearts leapt into their throats.
And, of course, the intechose that moment to freeze.
Their nerves stretched to the breaking point-even Raymond looked rattled.
"This crappy wifi!" Travis grumbled, logging out and back in, his frustration clear in every movement.
This time, the page loaded smoothly.
But the results screen stayed blank.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtInstead, a single line appeared at the bottom: Placed within the top 50 in the state. Full results available on the 23rd.
Weston stared at the screen, eyes wide, then burst out, "Top fifty in the whole state! No wonder she's my granddaughter-our Carmichael family is going places!" "The kids in our family really are something else," Weston crowed, beaming with pride. They didn't even know Citrine's exact score yet, but just making it into the state's top fifty was enough to set everyone's hearts racing. After all, the Carmichaels had never been famous for academics; business was their game. No one in the family had ever ranked this high before.
Just then, Citrine, still groggy from sleep, stumbled downstairs after a quick wash -and walked straight into chaos.
Weston, Raymond, and Travis were dancing around the living room in pure celebration.
Stone-faced, serious Weston was twisting and shimmying with even more enthusiasm than the rest, looking for all the world like an overgrown, wild-eyed snake.
Citrine stopped in her tracks and stared, torn between laughter and disbelief.
At the stime, Happy-the family's cat-cout to liven things up, but the wild scene made her fur stand on end. She bolted up the stairs and jumped into Citrine's arms, a bundle of nerves.
So there they stood, girl and cat, frozen on the staircase, unsure whether to join the madness or make a discreet retreat.
It didn't take long for Raymond to notice his daughter hovering above them. "Citrine, you're up!" Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and turned toward her.
Weston's grin stretched so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. Waving her over with both hands, he called, "Citrine, cdown here!" Citrine descended, clutching the trembling cat.
The Carmichaels looked like they'd just won the lottery-faces lit up, energy buzzing, joy overflowing.
Citrine, still trying to piece things together, barely had a moment to react before Travis hauled her onto the sofa. "Sis, do you know where you ranked in the state this time?" She barely batted an eye. "Probably top fifty, if nothing unexpected happened," she answered calmly, tossing out the bold claim as if it were the most casual thing in the world.
Travis stared at her in disbelief. "How do you know that?" A smile tugged at Citrine's lips. "I knew everything on the exam. Of course I was confident." Then she turned to Travis, her smile widening. "Congratulations to you too, big brother. You did great." Travis looked at her like she'd just performed a magic trick. "How do you know my score?" Citrine grinned. "Your principal messaged me. Sylvan and the others did well too." Amelia and Travis had scored about the same.
Just then, the butler entered with a crowd in tow.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe principal and several school officials swept into the house, a congratulatory banner in their hands and joy shining on their faces.
The principal barely made it through the door before he burst out laughing. "Citrine! Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael! We're here to bring you wonderful news!" He was practically vibrating with excitement. "Citrine scored a 750 on the SAT— the highest in the state! She's this year's top science student. It's a huge honor for our school to have such a talented student." Weston and Raymond's smiles stretched even wider.
Weston couldn't contain his delight. He laughed loud and free. "Citrine, did you hear that? Top science student in the whole state!" Citrine just nodded, unfazed, as if it was nothing to be surprised about.
Suddenly, one of the school officials seemed to remember sned. "By the way, Carine, frowned. "By and Citrine, there's a crowd of reporters waiting outside the school. They want to do an exclusive with you." Citrine's brow furrowed. She turned to the principal. "Please turn them down for me." The principal smiled. "Of course, no problem." The Carmichaels admired how modest and low-key their daughter was. No one objected.
Meanwhile, outside Primus Academy, a bright red banner had been hung: Congratulations to Xitkine Carmichael for scoring 750 on the SAT and being named the state's top science student. To celebrate, the school set off several strings of fireworks in her honor.
When it ctto choose her university, Citrine didn't hesitate-she applied directly to Crestwood University. Travis, Amelia, and Sylvan, their scores a bit lower, applied to Havencrest University, staying close to home.
Citrine heard later that Jeanette hadn't done well on the exams.
Originally, she could've gotten into a second tier college in Havencrest, but she stubbornly applied to a third-rate school in Crestwood just to follow the crowd.
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