Eileen’s POV

The moment Vicky’s voice echoed through the advanced math classroom, the atmosphere shifted.

“Eileen, come up here with me.”

Heads turned.Pens paused mid-scribble.

Even the teacher, Mr. Halden, looked mildly surprised, though he quickly masked it with a neutral expression.

Vicky stood at the front of the room, chin raised, her posture confident in a way that didn’t quite match the tension in her eyes. She pointed toward the blackboard like she was issuing a command rather than a request.

I slowly lifted my gaze.

So this is how she wants to play it.

Vicky smiled—thin, calculated.

“If we both solve it correctly,” she continued loudly, “it should...