Chapter 2

I had just arrived at the school when I spotted Heather standing alone on the podium, enduring the ridicule and scorn of the entire class and her teachers.

I noticed her homeroom teacher, Cameron Hall, jabbing her finger into Heather's head, spitting as she yelled, "I've never encountered a student as brazen as you—to openly cheat during a school-wide examination simply for the sake of attention is utterly disgraceful!"

I then saw her grade dean, Jeremiah Smith, declaring with a grim expression, "I get that you wanted to participate in the math competition, but using such disgraceful methods is unacceptable. I hereby announce that you're officially banned from every school competition from this point forward."

Upon hearing that, Heather's previously expressionless face finally registered some response. "I-I didn't—"

Heather's voice was rapidly lost amid the shouts and condemnation from everyone around her, though.

I couldn't take it anymore. I pushed the door open and pulled Heather into my arms.

"What right do you have to say she cheated in the exam? Where's your proof? How can you condemn a student and use such cruel language before the facts are clear, especially given how you're both teachers? If she were to do something drastic because of this, could you live with the consequences?"

Cameron and Jeremiah were stunned. Their protests were stifled, leaving them completely speechless.

Just as the confrontation stalled, Sylvia came forward alongside Christian. "You see, we found this note in her desk, Kayla, filled with answers. Their teacher had the desks cleared before the exam, and the surveillance footage confirms that no one went near Heather once the exam started.

"It is difficult for a young woman to excel in the sciences, and a lapse in judgment is understandable. If Heather just apologizes and learns her lesson, all will be forgiven, Kayla."

Christian feigned concern while comforting Heather. "You can rest assured that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks; as long as you have me, that's all that matters, Heather."

It was then that the comment section appeared before my eyes again. "I'm totally shipping them! I mean, the male lead's sense of possession over the female lead is absolutely intense!"

"It seems like the male lead's mother had already prepared everything perfectly, leaving no trace. It won't be long before the female lead loses hope in life and obediently submits to the male lead's imprisonment."

I glanced at them coldly—just as I thought, they were behind it again.

Heather choked back her tears and insisted, "I really didn't do it, Mom. I've never seen that note before."

I gently wiped away her tears, my heart aching. "You have nothing to be afraid of, Heather—I believe in you."

I looked straight at Sylvia and stated firmly, "That isn't Heather's handwriting. Your son is the one who benefits most if Heather's out of the running. Did you plant this to frame her, Sylvia?"

In that instant, a collective gasp filled the room as a wave of questioning looks fell on Sylvia.

Sylvia's face turned deathly pale for a moment before she quickly put on a pitiful expression. "I was just speaking up for the teachers, Kayla. Is there really any need to attack me in this way?"

I had had enough of her act, so I took out Heather's first-place national certificate from my handbag and slammed it onto the table. "I have Heather's national award right here. If you're accusing her of cheating, then you're insulting the validity of the entire national examination board itself.

"If you're still not convinced, then let's escalate it—we can bring in the authorities to run a professional handwriting analysis on those notes!"

In that instant, a deathly silence fell over the entire room.