Chapter 37
Almost everyone turned to look at me. Chloe’s expression was particularly tense as she jumped in first:”Alice, remember when Lucy and the others accused you of cheating on your grades? You should understand my situation right now. I know you’ve never liked me, but we’re family!”
Seeing Chloe so anxious made me realize that even she had her moments of fear. I replied coolly, “I seem to recall that Chloe did indeed turn around.” I was just stating the facts.
Chloe’s eyes instantly turned red with anger:”Alice, how can you say that? Just a moment ago, you said Lucy was lying!”
Minion #2 agreed. “Exactly! We all heard it, Alice. Why does your story keep changing? Who can believe you now?”
I said slowly, “I hadn’t thought about it carefully. I just suddenly remembered.”
Chloe was about to explode with frustration. She looked up at the homeroom teacher with a pitiful expression: “I really didn’t cheat! I turned around because I heard Lucy calling me, and she slipped the note into my desk when I wasn’t paying attention. I had no idea!”
The homeroom teacher, who initially leaned towards Chloe, recalled how I had been falsely accused of cheating before and started to doubt Chloe’s character.
The teacher said, “Chloe, Lucy, you both need to come to my office.”
I sat at my desk while everyone around me discussed the cheating incident. I opened my textbook to check my answers, wondering how many points I could score!
Not long after, the class monitor arrived.”The teacher wants you in her office.”
I anticipated this. I went to the office but noticed Minion #1 was missing, but Noah was there. Of course, Chloe would bring in reinforcements. With red eyes, Chloe looked at me:”Alice, do you hate me that much? What do I have to do for you to forgive me?”
I answered calmly, “I’m just stating what I saw. If I wanted to get you in trouble, I’d say I saw you cheat!”
Chloe’s face flushed.
Noah couldn’t take it anymore and scolded me.”Speak properly! Chloe’s family. In situations like this, I thought you’d know what to do!”
I looked at him.”What do you want me to do, Noah? Say I saw nothing? Fine. I didn’t see Chloe turn around.”
Noah felt a headache coming on; why couldn’t I understand his point?
The teacher coughed. “I understand the situation. Chloe, you were also wrong. Don’t let others do your homework, and don’t cheat during exams.”
Noah explained, “Teacher, Chloe had someone else do her homework because family issues took up her time. I can vouch for that.” Helping a classmate with homework is a minor issue, especially since Chloe had her
reasons.
Chloe looked particularly wronged:”Noah, I didn’t know Lucy was trying to frame me. I only mentioned that
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she borrowed my money, and I didn’t expect her to think like that.”
“Chloe, you’re kind and help others, but there are limits to kindness.” Noah believed she was framed.
The teacher said, “We’ll discuss how to handle this matter. You all can return to class for now.”
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I turned to leave. Noah chased after me:”Alice, how could you testify that you saw Chloe turn around? What if the teacher really thinks she cheated and punishes her? Did you think about the consequences?”
I stopped. “If Chloe cheated and blamed Lucy, did you think about Lucy’s consequences?”
“Impossible, Chloe wouldn’t do that.” Noah immediately denied it.
scoffed; there was no point in answering.
“Alice, I know you feel wronged and think we favor Chloe. It’s because her father saved your life. Plus, she’s always been well-behaved. What’s wrong with us treating her a bit better? If you want to blame someone, blame me, don’t drag Chloe into this!”
I was speechless, my temples throbbing.
With a sarcastic smile, I said, “I blame myself, okay?” Blaming myself for being blind and not seeing through this so-called family bond sooner!
I stormed into the classroom. Noah stood outside, feeling helpless. He wanted to mend things with me, but I seemed to reject him at every turn! How could he make me understand that his strictness was because I was his real sister? But Chloe wasn’t, so he didn’t have high expectations for her. This wasn’t favoritism!
Chloe approached.”Noah, I’m sorry. Maybe I should move out, so Alice won’t be angry. I don’t want to see you two siblings’ relationship suffer because of me.”
Noah forced a smile.”Don’t be silly, it’s not your fault. You’re my sister, always.”
Chloe smiled through her tears.”Then it’s a deal!”
Noah looked at Chloe, wishing I were as understanding as her. “Focus on your studies, don’t let others do your
homework.”
Chloe’s expression faltered.”I know I was wrong.”
“As long as you acknowledge your mistakes, that’s enough.” He was pleased with Chloe’s attitude and wished I could be the same.
I returned to my classroom, seeing Minion #1’s empty seat. But I felt no sympathy.
A few days later, the school announced the cheating incident, and Lucy received a warning.
Chloe was also publicly reprimanded by the homeroom teacher.
After the teacher finished, she pulled out the report cards:”The results are in, and I want to especially commend Alice for her significant improvement, ranking tenth in this exam. Everyone should learn from her; a final push can really boost your grades.”
The classroom erupted in chatter.
‘Alice’s amazing at studying and gaming!”
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“I want to go to the same university as her!”
“How does she manage to excel in both gaming and studying?”
Seeing my results, I smiled with satisfaction.
Did this mean I had a chance to get into Harvard University?
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The homeroom teacher smiled at me:”Why don’t you share your tips for improvement so everyone can learn from you?” I had indeed performed well lately and had done great on the exam.
I stood up, feeling a bit nervous for the first time:”The reason I’ve improved so much is that I realized I need to live for myself, so I’ve been staying up late every night to practice problems.”
Living for myself, no longer sacrificing for so-called family. In my past life, I’d only moved myself.
Chloe, seeing my success, was consumed by jealousy.
*Why did this brat get to do so well?*
She crumpled her test paper in frustration.
This was all Lucy’s fault for getting caught cheating; otherwise, her grades would have definitely improved.
After lunch, I found several love letters on my desk.
Surprised, I looked at the class monitor. “Alice, you’re popular now! The gaming goddess and top student, even the heartthrob from the private high school next door is trying to get your contact info!”
The heartthrob? Wasn’t he Chloe’s crush?
