Chapter 12 Accused of Cheating
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The start–of–term exam arrived right on schedule the next day.
This time, unlike usual. Draywick High School didn’t organize students into exam rooms based on past grades. They were all assigned randomly.
Azalea was seated at the very corner of the classroom, completely inconspicuous. In front of her sat a boy with glasses who looked every bit like a stereotypical science nerd.
When the final bell rang, the last test paper was collected, and the invigilating teacher stood at the podium
“Once you finish the test, you can head home. Classes resume as normal this afternoon, and results will be announced soon.
The teachers at Draywick High School were known for their efficiency. Scores were usually released the same afternoon. Azalea trailed behind the crowd, walking slowly toward the door. Just as she was about to step out, the boy in glasses turned around abruptly and stared at her, his expression hostile.
She blinked, confused.
What was that about! She was pretty sure she didn’t know this guy.
But the boy didn’t say anything, just glared at her for a moment before turning back and walking away,
Meanwhile, the teachers were busy compiling grades. The first period in the afternoon was a free study session, but many students couldn’t sit still. They’d already run off to the office, hoping to sneak a peek at the results.
Class 13 was no different. No one was paying attention to their textbooks as chatter about the exam’s difficulty filled the room.
“Breaking news!” A girl with twin pigtails burst in, panting for breath.
“Someone cheated on the exam, and it was someone from our class!”
That one sentence instantly lit the classroom on fire.
“Who? That’s insane!” someone asked, though everyone had already turned their heads to look in Azalea’s direction.
As expected.
Pigtails followed their gaze, confirming the unspoken answer. “After tallying the scores, the teachers noticed that Azalea ranked 89th overall. Then, someone anonymously reported that she cheated. The camera in her exam room had been broken recently, so there’s no hard proof, but the person sitting in front of her was William Lancaster, the top student of
Class One
The whole class exploded.
“Eighty–ninth? I’ve been studying for three years and never ranked that high! She’s been off doing art for two years, and suddenly scores like this? I’ll eat my desk if that’s not copying William’s answers!”
“Hahaha, bet she didn’t realize she was sitting behind the top scorer and got too greedy.”
So the guy’s name was William.
Azalea remained calm in the face of the jeers. What caught her attention wasn’t the gossip but her score, 89th place. That w better than she expected; she hadn’t even thought she’d break the top hundred.
But it still wasn’t enough. She used to score nearly perfect marks, and this was a significant drop.
Pigtails kept a close eye on Azalea. Seeing her remain completely calm, she felt a twinge of doubt. Did Azalea really think that as long as there were no cameras, she could just deny everything and get away with it?
I’m just passing on the message,” the girl said. “The school’s asked you to go to the office. They’ve already contacted your family”
“Thanks” Azalea stood up and walked out, completely ignoring the whispers behind her.
Chapter 12 Accused of Cheating
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was the emergency contact on Azalea’s school registration form. Did she really think he
She found it almost amusing. Cassius wa would show up at the school?
Probably just sent an assistant again.
But this time, Azalea had guessed wrong. When she entered the office, she saw a tall figure standing with his back to her.
Wearing a sleek, custom–tailored black suit.
It was Cassius in the flesh.
He actually came! Azalea let out a cold laugh.
Back in tenth grade, when she was being violently bullied and nearly shoved into a toilet, Cassius hadn’t even bothered to show up, just sent his assistant.
When he found out she was being bullied for supposedly disrespecting Sydney, he’d scolded her for causing trouble.
No one ever asked why she’d refused Sydney’s unreasonable request that day. She was about to faint from hunger, and Sydney wanted her to run across campus to buy water for her!
Now, Cassius caught sight of her and wasted no time. He yanked her over and stood her in front of the bespectacled boy. “Apologies.” he said coldly. “Clearly, we failed to teach her properly.”
Then he turned to the homeroom teacher. “Whatever the school decides, punishment, expulsion, we’ll accept it. No need to waste time investigating. It’s obvious.”
So he’d already decided she was guilty.
Azalea frowned slightly. Th. He really hadn’t changed.
No matter what happened at school, whether she was the victim or not, Cassius always assumed she was the one causing trouble.
She remembered the bullying incident clearly. When Cassius returned, his only words were, “If they’re bullying you and not others, doesn’t that mean you asked for it?”
Azalea shook his hand off. “If you’re sick, go get treated. Did Lever admit I cheated?”
William gave her a sanctimonious look. “Azalea, I understand wanting to do well, but I can’t condone this kind of behavior.”
Cassiur‘ face darkened. He’d originally planned to handle things discreetly, but Azalea dared to talk back
Claring at her, he snapped, “You really think that after being at the bottom of the grade every year, you could suddenly get these scores after just two years of studying art?”
The homeroom teacher blinked in surprise. Wait, did the Larks not know Azalea used to be the top scorer?
“I wouldn’t even have known you started cheating if the school hadn’t called today,” Cassius continued. “You’re a disgrace to the family.”
Azalea lowered her gaze, then smiled. “Wow, based on how you’re talking, someone might think you’re William’s dad instead of mine. Did I ever admit I cheated? Or are you just dying to pin this on me?
She tilted her head, her tone light but cutting. “Oh, my mistake You’re not even my brother anymore, are you? After all, Mr. Wesley already signed the agreement”
She turned to the teacher. “Sorry to trouble you, but in the future, please contact me directly. I’m an orphan. My entire family’s dead. No relatives.”
Cassius‘ eyes widened in fury. Was she cursing them all to die?
“You!” He nearly raised his hand to slap her.
Sensing the tension, the homeroom teaclier quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Mr. Lark, today we’re simply verifying the authenticity of Azalea’s entrance exam results. Until we have a conclusion, we can’t assume she cheated.”
Azalea couldn’t be bothered to look at Cassius anymore. Instead, she turned to the teacher. “It’s easy to prove whether 1
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Chapter 12 Accused of Cheating
cheated or not. I can take the test again right now.”
That had been the teacher’s plan all along. She nodded.
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William wasn’t flustered and was even the first to agree. There was no way Azalea scored that high without copying him.
She deserved to be exposed.
Did she dare to make him unhappy?
The look in William’s eyes, hidden behind his glasses, was sharp and venomous.
The results came out quickly. The teacher finished grading and let out a gasp of admiration.
Cassius scoffed. “Probably can’t even break double digits.”
Azalea smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely outscore your age.”
Cassius choked. What the hell did that mean? Was she calling him old?
Still, he sneered, “Whatever isn’t yours, you won’t get it, no matter what tricks you pull.”
Azalea agreed with that. In her last life, Sydney only managed to stay in the Jubilee training camp because Azalea made it happen. Without her as a stepping stone, who knew how long Sydney would last?
Just
then, the teacher finally spoke up. “Azalea didn’t cheat. Her math paper scored a perfect
100*
“I knew it.” Cassius had started to sneer again but froze mid–sentence. “What? That’s impossible!”
He snatched the test paper
Three pairs of eyes watched closely. There was no way Azalea could have faked it. Cassius went through the paper line by line and found no trace of favoritism or error.
She really didn’t cheat?
William’s expression cracked slightly. “How…”
-He muttered under his breath but quickly schooled his features. “Since this was just a misunderstanding, I’ll return to class
noww.
Since the accusation had come from an anonymous report, William had only been called in for questioning.
He wasn’t actually a student of this homeroom teacher, so after a brief reprimand, he was dismissed.
But as he left, his eyes were full of resentment.
Azalea looked straight at Cassius. “Aw, looks like I didn’t cheat. What a shame for you, Mr. Lark.”
Her deliberately drawn–out tone dripped with sarcasm.
