Chapter 3

It appeared that Vivian's failure to secure a spot at a university was predestined. I only lamented my own fate, having been forced to take the blame in my past life.

It was entirely expected that she wouldn't get into any university, though. She was always taking leaves of absence during senior year, with each one lasting half a month or longer. She said she was going to audition for acting roles, but in truth, she was simply spending freely and living it up.

It wasn't long before Mr. Lister and I arrived at Vivian's house.

Just before entering, a man's furious voice rang out from inside. "How could you tell me that you didn't get into any university when I've already told everyone that you made it, Vivian? Didn't you say you were guaranteed a spot at Caldoria Film Academy? What happened to that, Vivian?"

In the next instant, a crisp slap rang out from inside the house.

Mr. Lister, worried that things might get out of hand, rushed inside. I wasn't about to miss out on the show, so I naturally went in too.

I immediately noticed that the living room was in complete disarray, with Vivian's makeup scattered across the floor.

Mr. Lister asked, "How did this happen, Vivian? Your academic results are usually fine! You ranked in the top ten of your entire class for all three mock exams! You should have easily gotten into a prestigious university with such a result!"

Vivian kept her head down, while Peter Nash, her father, sighed heavily. "It seems like we completely misjudged the situation this time, Mr. Lister. We didn't realize the film academy's cutoff would be so high. Vivian got over 1344 for her SAT and still didn't make it."

I acted surprised. "Didn't you score 560 for your SAT, Vivian?"

In that instant, everyone in the room fell silent.

I unhurriedly took out the printed transcript and handed it over to Peter. "Did you perhaps misread her score, Mr. Nash? Vivian's actual score is written right here."

Mr. Lister shook his head in resignation. "Why couldn't Vivian pull it off when it mattered, especially when she did so well in her previous exams?"

I said, sneering, "It's probably because she depended on technology during her usual exams."

That single remark alone caused the expressions of all three present to shift.

Vivian flew into a rage and lunged at me, as if she wanted to tear me apart on the spot. Peter, however, yanked her back before she could even touch me. He then slapped her hard across the face, sending her rolling onto the floor. "How dare you lie to me!"

Mr. Lister stood there awkwardly, trapped between wanting to leave out of embarrassment and wanting to stay without a good excuse to do so.

I felt an overwhelming sense of gratification after looking at Vivian's miserable state.

It was only just the beginning, though.

It wasn't long before Brandon heard Vivian's agonized cries and quickly ran over, grabbing Peter's arm. "What are you doing, Mr. Nash?"

Brandon grew increasingly anxious when he saw his beloved's swollen, bruised face.

Mr. Lister was even more frantic than he was. "You're here at just the right time, Brandon! Do you know why you weren't accepted into any university?"

Brandon, who had been fully intent on intervening, froze where he stood, his anxious expression instantly paralyzing. "What are you talking about, Mr. Lister?"

Mr. Lister shot him an irritated look. "Why didn't you get into the university even though your SAT scores were high enough, Brandon? Do you have any idea what happened?"

Brandon's breathing turned shallow and rapid. He let out a nervous chuckle as he shook his head rapidly. "You've got to be kidding me, right? You ought to know that my SAT scores were more than enough to guarantee a spot at Caldoria University's School of Foreign Service!"

He then held out his hands and continued, "You'd better stop messing with me, Mr. Lister! I'd like to take a look at my admission letter now!"