The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 339

The International Mathematics Olympiad tests might not have tons of problems, but each one is

devilishly difficult

They were fraught with traps and quirks, requiring the solver to patiently unravel them.

One misstep, and you’d be lost in the fog. Your calculations would lead nowhere

Yet, Vivienne claimed to have solved everything in just fifteen minutes

How was that possible”

Mila looked at Vivienne in disbelief, while Calistas heart was in turmoil

This was her second attempt at the problem set, and she was not even halfway through.

How could Vivienne have done it so quickly? She must have just scribbled down answers without even

reading the questions

“Vivienne, problem–solving isn’t just about speed, it’s also about accuracy Mila cast a glance at Judith,

who was waiting for the results “What does it prove if you write quickly but don’t answer correctly? It’s

better to take your time and produce a flawless paper

Vivienne raised an eyebrow as if she’d heard a joke “Waste of time

“What did you say? Mila was taken aback

Vivienne tossed her paper to Mila I can do five sets of these problems in an hour”

“You.” Mila suppressed her anger. Do you know that these are problems from the International

Mathematics Olympiad? They were designed by math experts! Anyone who scores above 90 is

considered exceptional!

She was continuously praising Calista’s skills, hoping to impress the Brooks family

However, Vivienne was unfazed, and her expression remained unchanged.

“Hmm!” Vivienne scoffed “Your daughter took so long to solve one set. What makes her qualified to

tutor my! brother?”

Mila was indignant. But she could find no words to counter.

At this point, Calista had finally completed her paper.

She had given it her all, but she had no idea if she stood a chance

After seeing Mila about to check the answers, Kala interjected. ‘For fairness, let’s let Grandma check

them

Upon hearing this, Mila and Calista were taken aback

Mila had onginally planned to cover up any errors Calista might have made while checking, but she

didn’t expect her plans to be thwarted by Kala’s sudden interruption

“There’s no need to trouble Grandma with such trivial matters. I can handle it” Mila said.

Kala chuckled “Don’t you trust Grandma to be fair? Or do you think she can’t handle such a small

task?”

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Mila could only hand the papers to Judith.

Judith was eager to see the results of the contest. She wanted to see whether Calista or her own

granddaughter was the better

She first corrected Calista’s paper and praised her. Not bad. Got 98 questions right

This score was an improvement over Calista’s first attempt. A reflection that she had indeed been

revising

Mits also quickly added, Calista’s level is something many graduate students cant match

How could Vivienne possibly outperform her daughter? Even if she was a double doctoral student, it

didn’t matter

Her Calista wasnt inferior

In terms of intelligence Vivienne was certainly no match for Calista

Judith immediately began checking the next paper. Her expression grew brighter as she progressed,

unable to hide her delight by the end.

Full marks! Full marks Vivienne didn’t make a single mistake!”

Mila and Calista exchanged stunned looks.

How was that possible?

7) knew my cousin wouldn’t be outdone by anyone else Carl acted as if he had won the competition

himself. He was both proud and elated. It seems Ms. Pendakorra skills are mediocre I wonder if she

really is capable of tutoring Thaddeus

Calista felt as if she had been slapped across the face. She could genuinely feel the sting in her cheek.

If it werent for Judith’s presence she would have lost her temper right then

“Vivienne is indeed impressive Calista grudgingly admitted, although she was seething inside. “But fim

more than capable of tutoring Thaddeus

“Really? Viserne looked at her then walked over to Thaddeus and gently patted his head. “Thadkus, tell

your sister, do you want her to tutor you‘

Thaddeus bit his lip and didn’t dare speak. He was just staring at the ground.

He hadn’t forgotten the harsh words Gaista had said to him. He feand her punestiment

Dont be scared Vinenre softly caressed his head as her voice soothed his

cotheuppance

Thaddeus looked up at Vivienne. After locking into her loving eyes, he felt inesptically valmi

After hesitating for a moment he pand I dont like Calista

“Thaddeus how could you say such a thing?) || breaks my heart to hear that Calistars to help you so

you wouldn’t fall behind in your studej

Judith watched the scene in cordumion… The mai unaware of what

anged as she feand then the fovet a andle and said. You been doi

Thaddeus, speak up if you’ve been wronged Carl encouraged hun while standing beside

If you’ve been tested untperty diande

dukoneaty stand ist Kön

With the support of the Brooks family. Thaddeus felt somewhat reassured.

“Calista doesn’t teach me She just gives me problems to solve. If I can’t solve them, she hits me, yells

at me, and pinches me.”

Thaddeus timidly replied as he rolled up his sleeves to reveal his bruised arms from Calista’s pinches

“What?” Judith stood up in a huff from the sofa

Vivienne’s eyes narrowed Her gaze turned to Calista with a burning intensity that could tear her to

shreds.

“No, no Calista quickly defended herself “Why would I harm a child? Thaddeus, did you just fall and get

that bruise?”

She shot Thaddeus a warning look, cautioning him to remain quiet

Kala, catching sight of Thaddeus’s injury was seething with rage She blurted out, “You dare deny it?

You say a fall caused this? Then why don’t you fall and show me how it’s done? This is obviously a

finger shaped bruise

Carl chimed in “We can have the injury examined. The examination will reveal whether he fell or was

beaten. We can find the truth!”

A sudden fear gripped Calista

An examination was out of the question

If they conducted one, everyone would know about her disciplining Thaddeus

With that thought she quickly said. “This is all a misunderstanding. I was just being hard on him

because I care.”

“Yes, that’s right Mila joined in, defending her daughter “How else do you get a child to behave? A little

spanking always does the trick!

“Absurd” Judith slammed her hand on the table as her whole body shook with anger. “You dare call

hurting Thaddeus a misunderstanding? You’ve inflicted harm and left him with emotional scars! Can

you bear that responsibility?!*

As Judith’s words hung in the alt, Vivienne spoke in a calm tone. “Judith, you’re saying too much.”