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    Seeing the puzzled looks from Laura and little fatty, Janelle proudly suggested, “Doesn’t every princess have a dying mother? I could y that part.”

    Little fatty’s lips twitched, “It’s odd to see a girl who doesn’t want to be the princess, but instead wants to y the part of the mother on her deathbed.”

    Laura didn’t say anything and she looked outside.

    At the artificial hills nearby, she could see a few familiar faces. It was Rachel, Leroy, and Jeremy. They were talking with a young girl in a princess–inspired hairdo.

    The girl wasn’t very tall, probably around five or six years old, dressed in her school uniform with a conspicuouslyrge red bow in her hair and talked with them.

    Suddenly, Leroy lunged at the girl. Jeremy, however, stepped in, stopping Leroy in his tracks. He was left to stand there, mouth opening and closing in what appeared to be a string of unpleasant words.

    The girl remained calm andposed and without a hint of fear, turned on her heel and walked away with poise.

    At that moment, Laura got a good look at the girl’s face. She was a beauty and had a very wholesome appeal.

    The girl walked away with her chin up, prideful like a peacock, while Leroy, fuming behind her, was snarling with frustration. Laura thought, ‘Could a little girl of five or six infuriate Leroy like that? What could she have said?‘

    Not long after, the bell signaled the beginning of ss.

    Favian entered the ssroom, his eyes immediatelynding on Laura. Reality snapped back to her, and she sat up straight with a nervous look etched on her face.

    Laura almost forgot about this.

    Joshua was now the homeroom teacher of her ss.

    As Laura tensed up, a yful glint danced in Favian’s eyes, “Today our ss wees two new transfer students. One is Janelle, though she seems to have already be one with the rest of you. Let’s wee the other with apuse.”

    With ps filling the air, the girl with the red bow stepped up to the podium, nodding and smiling at her new

    ssmatesb. /b

    Favian said to her, “You could introduce yourself.”

    With a sweet smile and a voice clear as a bell, the girl said, “Hello, my name is Eva, and I’m 5 years old. I’vee from Muprary, and this is my very first time living in Hestrya. Please look after me.”

    The students apuded heartily.

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    Some boys whispered to each other, “She seems so nice.” “Yes.”

    Janelle pouted, “Just by looking at her, you can tell she’s an angelic bitch.”

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    Laura frowned, “You must have thought the same about me when we first met, right?”

    Janelle choked up, waving her hands frantically, “No. You’re different from her. I disliked you because bI /bthought you were Aunt Nancy’s daughter. I’m just a bit of a chatterbox.”

    Laura sighed, “But you haven’t even talked to her. How would you know what kind of person she is? If you want to be my friend, you can’t speak ill of others.”

    Janelle, holding back tears and feeling wronged, hung her head low, “I won’t say such things again. I’m sorry.”

    Eva returned to her seat, which was previously Lydia’s, and avoided any exchange of nces with them.

    Leaning against the podium, Favian announced, “Summer vacation is nearing, and when it’s over, you’ll all be entering the first grade. The school is going to host a variety evening, and each ss needs to prepare a performance. Does anyone have any ideas?”

    One of the students shot his hands up, “A y.”

    “I want to do a y, too.”

    The students eagerly volunteered.

    Laura eximed, “I think we could also put on a fairytale y.”

    At the same time, Eva raised her hand, “I agree. After all, we have a real actress in our ss, and she definitely knows how to perform.”

    Laura was taken aback and turned to look at Eva, who nodded at her with a friendly smile.

    Laura thought, ‘This girl bis /bquite adorable!

    Favian nced at Laura and with a tender look agreed, “Since everyone likes the idea of the y, let’s draw lots to decide which story to perform.”

    With the children’s enthusiastic participation, “Cindere” was chosen.

    Favian suggested, “Now, let’s draw lots to assign roles. It will be fair for everyone.”

    Everyone nodded in agreement.

    Everyone made abel.

    The kids who preferred not to perform drew for backstage roles. Those eager for the spotlight picked

    character roles.

    The results were in. Eva would y Cindere. Sheryl and Janelle were to be the step–sisters. Lori was cast as the charming Prince. Laura would portray the wicked stepmother.

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    Everyone turned to look at Laura, the smallest in the ss, “Her, as the stepmother?”

    She might just be the cutest stepmother ever.

    Sheryl was quite disappointed, “Why do I have to y that foolish sister? Sisters are supposed to be pretty.”

    Janelle was also greatly glum, “I think Laura, the prettiest girl in our ss, is the best fit for Cindere, right?”

    Lori swallowed nervously and worried that he couldn’t fit the role.

    Looking around at each other, the students all concurred that Eva was not as beautiful as Laura.

    Upon hearing this, Laura against Janelle, “It was decided by drawing lots, which is fair.”

    Laura then apologetically nodded at Eva, “I’m sorry. My desk mate can be quite rude.”

    Favian watched with a deeper appreciation.

    Favian thought, ‘Laura was a good girl. I had made the right choice in bing their homeroom teacher.‘

    Eva was gracious, shaking her head with a smile, “Nothing. I’m not attached to any role. If you want, I’m happy to swap.”

    Laura waved her hands dismissively, “No need to change. I love ying the stepmother.”

    Eva’s gaze was gentle and encouraging as she turned to Favian, “Mr. Yale, I have a thought. I believe it might be better to have someone else y the Prince.”

    Lori looked at her and thought, ‘Eva wants someone else to y the role.‘

    Eva gathered her courage and affirmed, “I think Zayn will make a perfect Prince. I find he fits the Prince image better.”

    The statement caused a sensation.

    “Zaynb?/b”

    Everyone was stunned and exchanged nces. “Why would Eva choose Zayn?b” /b

    “Zayn isn’t even from our ss.”

    Janelle sneered, “Eva, that’s quite impolite of you. Everyone knows Zayn has the closest rtionship with L, If Zayn bes the prince, it should be Laura who ys the princess and not you.”

    Eva blinked innocently, tilting her head, “Why not? I just genuinely think Zayn fits the Prince image. Besides, Laura has a good rtionship with Zayn so she could easily ask him. Let’s just have him as a guest performer.”

    Eva asked Laura, “Is that okay?”