Chapter 16
I’d been trying to tell myself not to care. Sophie Quinn could only resort to these petty tactics, even dragging Lucas to school. The likely outcome was the cancellation of my score. But when Jason asked about my results, I couldn’t help but feel
disheartened.
As I prepared to answer, someone called, “Lina Ashford, the homeroom teacher wants you in her office.”
I pressed my lips together.“I need to go to the office. I’ll talk to you later.”
After hanging up, I went to the teacher’s office. Lucas was there, the atmosphere tense.
He spoke coldly, “Lina, I can’t believe you cheated on the exam to win a bet. Do you understand the implications of your
actions?”
I wasn’t surprised by his disbelief. My eyes were clear and direct.“I didn’t cheat.” I wouldn’t admit to something I hadn’t done.
Lina, the facts are clear, and you’re still lying? Based on your past performance and behavior at home, your improvement is impossible. You had every motive to cheat! Confess and try to avoid expulsion.”
I scoffed.“Is that enough evidence to prove I cheated?”
Lucas stood up angrily.“Lina, look at what you’ve become!”
The teacher intervened, “Please don’t talk to her like that.”
Lucas, frustrated, said to the teacher, “I’m sorry, but Lina cheated because of a family argument. Let her write a letter of apology
and publicly apologize. Let’s avoid expulsion.”
The teacher sighed. “Fine. I hope you’ll reform, Lina.” It wasn’t good to have a disciplinary record right before graduation.
I looked at the floor, my already cold heart sinking further. They sentenced me with just a few words, and no one ever believed me. They never used the Bond to sense whether I did it or not, only believing one–sided words from outsiders.
“Lina, you’ve disgraced the Ashford family! How could you be such a morally corrupt sister? I’m ashamed to even admit you’re
related to me in Pack!!
Do you think I want to be a part of the Ashfords as your sister?
My features were sharp, my eyes dark and cold. My wolf was my whole world. I no longer cared about their opinions.
“Lina, say that again?” Lucas’s face was livid. He was too angry to control the human shape.
“Please, sir, don’t yell; you’ll frighten the child,” a kind–looking older gentleman said as he entered.”
The teacher exclaimed, “Principal, what brings you here?”
“I heard about a high school student with a significant improvement whose score was questioned for plagiarism. I came to see what’s going on.”
Lucas said impatiently, “Principal, there’s no need for any investigation. Lina cheated. If she refuses to apologize and admit guilt, punish her.”
He wanted to teach Lian a lesson. He’d pleaded with the teacher to avoid expulsion, but she refused to accept their terms. Fine, he wouldn’t help her anymore. Lina didn’t need it anyway. She even refused to be part of the Ashfords!
The Principal looked at me gently.“Kid, there’s a simple way to prove whether or not you cheated. We can give you another test under everyone’s supervision. Would you agree to this examination?”
I looked at the Principal. “Yes, but with one condition. If I’m proven innocent, those who falsely accused me must apologize publicly, both wolf form and human form.”
< Chapter 16
Lucas sneered.“Fine. Let’s see what you’ll get!”
The teacher handed me a test. “I’ll time you.”
I sat down and began. The office was silent, everyone watching. The teacher was closest and, observing my approach to the
math problems, was visibly surprised. This test was far harder than the monthly exam, yet I was solving nearly every problem correctly!
Time ticked by. Sophie, curious about the commotion, arrived, sensing something amiss.
She mindlinked Lucas and walked towards him.“Lucas, what are you doing? Is Lina retaking the test?”
He coldly replied, “Yes, she refuses to admit to plagiarism, so let’s make her admit defeat.”
Sophie approached me.“Lina, don’t be stubborn. We believe in you. Don’t push yourself.”
I ignored her. I wouldn’t let her disrupt my concentration. Seeing that I wasn’t swayed, she bit her lip and turned to Lucas.“Lucas, Lina’s still mad at me.”
Lucas grew angry.“Lina, Sophie’s talking to you! Can’t you hear?”
I looked up.“I’m taking a test; can’t you see?”
Lucas sputtered, “Sophie is giving you a way out, why not take it, so you don’t embarrass yourself later!”
“Sophie, please don’t interrupt Lina while she’s working on the test paper. You can talk to her after she’s done with this set of questions.” the teacher intervened. She’d seen my progress and suspected I was innocent.
Sophie, feigning obedience, said, “Teacher, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” But she didn’t want me to prove my capabilities. She couldn’t accept me surpassing her, and she wouldn’t allow it.
She watched me with suspicion.*Surely she’ll fail“, she thought. But Lina’s recent transformation fueled her unease.
The exam ended. The teachers quickly graded the paper. I sat calmly. Even with Sophie standing next to Lucas, my emotions remained steady. Indifference truly was a shield.
The teacher announced excitedly, “Here’s the results.”
Sophie stared, hoping for a poor score. Lucas coldly added, “Teacher, if the score is bad, don’t say anything. It’s humiliating.”
“That’s not true, Mr. Ashford. Lina Ashford did exceptionally well! This test was harder than the monthly exam, yet her score is even better!”
Relief flooded me. A small smile played on my lips.
Lucas’s composure cracked. He grabbed the paper, but the numbers didn’t lie. I had excelled.
Sophie, peering at the score, seethed with jealousy. “When did Lina become so skilled? This is impossible!*
The Principal chuckled, “The truth is clear. Lina Ashford achieved this improvement through her own hard work.”
The teacher nodded. “Lina has indeed been very diligent recently.”
Lucas’s expression shifted dramatically before he placed the paper down. Lina hadn’t cheated. She seemed a stranger to him
now.
The Principal cleared his throat.“Since the truth is out, those who slandered Lina Ashford should apologize. And don’t forget, in both shape.”
Sophie’s face turned crimson with embarrassment.
