Chapter 26 The Hottest Guy
Almost everyone turned to look at Lily.
Sophie, looking particularly anxious, spoke first, "Lily, remember when Seraphine accused you of cheating before? You gotta understand what I'm dealing with now. I know we've never been close, but we're family."
Lily noticed Sophie's nervousness, so she could be scared too.
She spoke calmly, "Yeah, I remember Sophie turning around."
She was just stating the truth.
Sophie's eyes instantly filled with tears. "Lily, how can you say that? Just now, you said Seraphine was lying!"
Calista nodded in agreement. "That's right, we all heard it. Lily, why do you keep changing your story? Who can trust you now?"
Lily responded slowly, "I didn't think much about it earlier. I just remembered it now."
Sophie was furious.
She looked up at Alex with teary eyes. "I really didn't cheat. I turned around because I heard Seraphine calling me, and she must have thrown the note on my desk when I wasn't looking. I had no idea!"
Alex, who had initially leaned towards Sophie, remembered the time Lily was falsely accused of plagiarism. He started to doubt Sophie's character.
Alex spoke up, "Sophie, Seraphine, you both need to come with me to the office."
Lily sat at her desk, surrounded by classmates discussing the cheating incident.
She opened her textbook and started checking her answers to see how well she had done.
Before long, the class president came to get her. "Alex wants to see you in the office."
Lily had expected this.
When she arrived at the office, she noticed Seraphine wasn't there but saw Michael instead.
Of course, Sophie would call for backup.
With red-rimmed eyes, Sophie looked up at her. "Lily, do you hate me that much? What do I have to do for you to forgive me?"
Lily replied calmly, "I'm just stating what I saw. If I wanted to ruin you, I would have said I saw you cheat."
Sophie's face turned red with anger.
Michael couldn't stand it anymore and snapped at Lily, "Speak properly. Sophie is part of the Roberts family. In a situation like this, I thought you knew what to do!"
Lily looked up. "What do you want me to do? Say I saw nothing? Fine, I didn't see Sophie turn around."
Michael felt a headache coming on. Why couldn't she understand what he meant?
Alex cleared his throat. "Alright, I understand the situation now. Sophie, you were also at fault. You shouldn't have let others do your homework or talked during the test."
Michael explained, "Mr. Taylor, Sophie had others help with her homework because of family issues. I can vouch for that."
Having classmates help with homework was a minor issue, especially since Sophie had a reason.
Sophie looked particularly aggrieved. "Michael, I didn't know Seraphine would frame me for cheating. I only mentioned she owed me money, and she got this idea."
"Sophie, I know you're kind and like helping less fortunate classmates, but kindness needs boundaries."
Michael believed Sophie didn't cheat and was framed.
Alex said, "We'll discuss the handling of this matter. You can all go back to class."
Lily turned and left.
Michael followed her out. "Lily, how could you testify that you saw Sophie turn around? What if Mr. Taylor decides she cheated and punishes her? Have you thought about the consequences?"
Lily stopped. "If Sophie really cheated and blamed it on Seraphine, have you thought about Seraphine's consequences?"
"Impossible, Sophie wouldn't do that!"
Michael denied it almost instinctively.
Lily scoffed, not feeling the need to respond.
"Lily, I know you're upset and think we're biased towards Sophie. But isn't it because her dad saved your life? Plus, she's always been well-behaved. What's wrong with us treating her well? Blame me if you want, but don't drag Sophie into this!"
Lily's temples throbbed with anger. She was helpless.
She wore a mocking expression. "Fine, I'll blame myself. Is that good enough?"
Blame herself for not seeing through this so-called family sooner!
Lily ran back to the classroom.
Michael stood outside, looking helpless.
He wanted to mend his relationship with Lily, but she seemed unwilling to accept it.
How could he make Lily understand that his strictness was because she was his real sister? But Sophie wasn't, so he didn't have high expectations for her. It wasn't favoritism!
Sophie came over. "Michael, I'm sorry. Maybe I should move out, so Lily won't keep fighting with the family and throwing tantrums. I don't want to see your relationship worsen because of me."
Michael forced a smile. "Don't be silly. This has nothing to do with you. You don't need to move out. You're my sister, always."
Sophie smiled through her tears. "Pinky promise?"
Michael looked at Sophie with relief. If only Lily were as understanding.
He said, "Focus on your studies and stop having classmates do your homework."
Sophie hesitated. "I know I was wrong."
"Knowing your mistake and correcting it is good."
Michael saw Sophie's apologetic attitude and wished Lily could be the same.
Lily returned to the classroom and noticed Seraphine's empty seat, but felt no sympathy.
A few days later, the school announced the cheating incident.
Seraphine received a warning, and Sophie was publicly reprimanded by Alex in front of the class.
Afterward, Alex handed out the report cards. "The results are in. Special commendation to Lily for making significant progress, ranking in the top 1% of the school! Everyone should learn from her; last-minute efforts can improve your grades!"
The classroom buzzed with excitement.
"Oh my gosh, Lily is not only good at gaming but also excelling in her studies."
"If Lily improved this much, can I catch up if I start trying now? I want to go to the same college as her!"
"How does Lily manage to excel at both gaming and studying?"
Lily smiled with satisfaction at her grades.
Could this mean she had a shot at Quest University?
Alex smiled at Lily. "Would you like to share your tips on improving in class?"
Lily's recent performance had been impressive.
Lily stood up, a bit nervous. "The reason I improved so much is that I had an epiphany: live for yourself, and study late into the night."
Live for herself, not for so-called family sacrifices. Like her past life, where she only moved herself.
Sophie watched Lily shine with jealousy, her face twisted.
Why did Lily get such good grades?
Seeing her own grades, Sophie crumpled her test paper in frustration.
It was all Seraphine's fault. If she hadn't been caught cheating, Sophie's grades would have improved.
After lunch, Lily returned to the classroom and found several love letters in her desk.
She was surprised. This was unexpected.
The class president leaned over. "Lily, you're really popular now. Top gamer and top student. Even the hottest guy from the private school next door is asking about you and wants your contact info."
The hottest guy from the private school next door? Wasn't that Sophie's crush?