Chapter 3

All our classmates erupted into an uproar in an instant.

If Makayla was the only one claiming such things, then some of them might still have had their suspicions.

But Alex was a teacher, and everyone trusted him. He had spoken up about it, so they had nothing to fear.

“Wait, is Kayla’s dad really the head of the State Department of Education? Well, maybe he can guarantee that we’ll get into elite universities just by switching our majors!”

“Holy moly, am I dreaming?! Having Kayla in our class is like hitting the jackpot!”

“Jackpot? Please! Kayla’s straight-up the lucky charm of our class.”

I watched them indifferently as they praised Makayla.

If I had not already known from my past life that her father was not actually the head of the State Department of Education, I probably would have been fooled.

That raised another question.

As a teacher, Alex had to know that getting into an elite university with a low score was less likely than winning the lottery. How could he buy into such an obvious scam?

The few students who were still hesitating joined the hype of this incredible opportunity.

Watching everyone grin from ear to ear, Alex swiftly told them to log into the portal and change their universities and majors.

He added with a beaming smile, “This year, we’ve got twenty universities you can list on your application. Make sure you fill every single slot with elite universities!

“Don’t stress about it. Sure, your scores aren’t exactly outstanding, but if you manage to slip in through the cracks and even if it’s a less popular major, it’ll still count as a win on your record.

“At this rate, our class’ acceptance rate into elite universities is going to hit over 95% for sure! Sending that many kids to elite universities is going to make me look like an awesome teacher!”

Everyone in the class breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that.

A few even pictured themselves walking around on some elite campus.

But Alex’s demeanor sent a jolt of panic through me.

I checked my phone.

There were only ten minutes left before the application deadline.

At this point, I could not worry about anyone else. I had to get out.

Amid the clatter of keyboards as people changed their universities and majors, I dashed to the door, ready to leave.

Alex blocked my way. I frowned and said firmly, “Mr. Reid, I don’t care if they want to change their universities and majors. I don’t want to do it.”

Sensing my reluctance, Alex did not step aside.

Instead, he dragged me to a computer.

“Sylvia, as class president, how can you make yourself the exception?

“Go ahead and change it. I’m going to stand right here and watch you do it.”

Makayla looked at me with a smile.

“Yeah, Sylvia. Isn’t it better if we all get into elite universities together?”

I got goosebumps when I met her cunning gaze.

A terrible thought surfaced in my mind.

Could Alex and Makayla be working together?

Suppressing my fear, I said in a trembling voice, “I’m not changing anything. Let me go right now, or I’m calling the police.”

They were all betting on a long shot, hoping to hit the jackpot.

I just wanted to be practical.

My family did not have much money.

My scores might not be outstanding enough to get into an elite university, but I could still take my pick of decent ones.

I spent three years working hard to score well on the SAT.

My parents and I spent several weeks carefully reviewing my application choices.

With only two minutes left before the deadline, I absolutely could not let these people ruin my future.

Seeing that I still refused to log in to the portal and change my universities and majors, Alex kept manipulating and pressuring me.

Clement, who had been sitting nearby, grew restless and said, “Kayla, try 071125 as the password. That’s Sylvia’s birthday. She uses that for everything.”

My blood ran cold.

I never thought Clement, the person I trusted, would betray me like this.

He put on a helpless expression, walked over, and started preaching to me in that earnest, patronizing way of his.

“Syl, I know you’re only going against Kayla because you’re jealous of her and me.

“But don’t be so unreasonable at a time like this. Mr. Reid and Kayla are just looking out for you. Quit being so stubborn!”

Watching him put on the “I’m doing this for your own good” act made me so furious that I screamed at him to get lost.

I honestly did not know what I was thinking in the past, falling for such a fake, two-faced snake.

Kayla, however, smirked coldly.

She snatched the keyboard from my hands and immediately typed in 071125.

Sure enough, she logged into my portal.

Alex beamed with a satisfied smile and moved to change my universities and majors for me.

I panicked and pulled out the keychain nail clippers.

“Don’t change anything on my application!”

Everyone was startled by my reaction.

“Forget it! If she doesn’t want to change, don’t force her. Just let her do her own thing.”

Alex broke out in a cold sweat and instantly stopped what he was doing.

Makayla glared at me.

Then, her eyes darted away with a sneaky gleam.

The second I let my guard down, she lunged for the keyboard and deleted all my applications.

I shrieked and dropped the nail clippers from Alex’s neck.

I snatched the mouse and frantically checked the monitor.

“Are you crazy, Makayla?!”

Makayla put on an innocent expression and said, “Sylvia, I’m doing this for your own good!

“Relax! If we get into elite universities, we’ll all get in together. I’d never leave you behind.”