Sacrificed for Her, Now Everyone Pays

I never thought that with my grades, I'd ever have to take a makeup exam.

So, back when a Fortune 100 company asked when I could start, I told them the next day. And the whole time, Lionel Simmons knew that.

I stared at him coldly. "You knew I was supposed to report to work tomorrow with my degree certificate in hand, and you pull something like this?"

Lionel barely looked at me. "It's not like you can't get it anymore. Stop making such a big deal out of it. It's just a makeup exam. You'll pass easily. I believe in you."

I was speechless at how casually he said it. I rebutted, "You changed my grades without my permission. Is this really about a makeup exam? I'm starting work tomorrow. How am I supposed to explain not having my degree certificate?"

He sighed, somewhat irritated. "I'm your boyfriend. Can't I make a decision about something this minor? If you're really that capable, you won't need a degree certificate anyway. Who knows if you exaggerated your qualifications to them in the first place?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Vivian Crosby tugged on my sleeve. "Amelia, we're still students. You shouldn't be so obsessed with fame and fortune.

"I've looked at your résumé. Those innovation competitions and entrepreneurship awards you listed, the official websites don't even list your name. They'll definitely expose you. Lionel was only trying to save you from embarrassing yourself. Instead of appreciating his good intentions, you're blaming him?"

I was stunned for a moment. Every one of those awards had been earned fair and square. I had used my former name because I preferred to keep a low profile. And the people who handed out those awards were longtime business partners and family friends. They all knew exactly who I was.

I shook her hand off in disgust. "Stop acting innocent when you're benefiting from this. Was this really about saving me from embarrassment, or about making sure you graduate smoothly?"

Vivian's slender hand stiffened midair. Her eyes reddened as she looked at me pitifully. "That's not it. You've misunderstood. I…"

Before she could finish, Lionel stepped in protectively in front of her. "Enough! Amelia Wood, can you stop with this ridiculous jealousy? I'm not just your boyfriend. I'm everyone's friend. I have a responsibility to help any classmate who needs it!

"Do you know what'll happen if Vivian doesn't get her degree? Her parents will marry her off to some old bachelor. What's wrong with you sacrificing a little for someone else's future? Since when did you become so selfish?"

I met Vivian's guilty eyes.

I was a student council representative. When Vivian transferred into our program, I had already looked into her family background. They might not be wealthy, but she was an only child, and her parents treated her very well.

I had mentioned all this to Lionel before. But in the end, he still chose not to believe me.

Instead, every time Vivian played the victim, he accused me of becoming cold-hearted out of jealousy because he paid too much attention to her.