Chapter 12 She Proved Everyone Wrong
Lily had been telling herself to let it go, but it was hard not to feel upset when Dennis asked about the grades.
Just as she was about to respond, someone called her from the side, "Lily, Mr. Taylor wants to see you in his office."
She pressed her lips together. "I'll head to the office first. We can talk later."
After hanging up, Lily went straight to Alex's office.
When she walked in, she saw Austin was there too, and the atmosphere was tense.
Austin's face was cold as he spoke, "Lily, I never thought you'd cheat on an exam just to win. Do you know what this means?"
Lily wasn't surprised. She knew Austin wouldn't believe her.
Her eyes were firm. "I didn't cheat."
She wasn't going to admit to something she didn't do.
"Lily, the evidence is right here, and you're still lying? With your usual grades and how you perform at home, there's no way you could improve this much. You had every reason to cheat! Own up to it now, and maybe the school won't put this on your record."
Lily let out a cold laugh. "Is that enough evidence to prove I cheated?"
Austin stood up angrily. "Lily, look at what you've become!"
Alex quickly intervened, "Let's talk to her calmly."
Frustrated, Austin said to Alex, "Sorry, Lily cheated because she's rebelling against the family. Let's have her write an apology letter and publicly apologize to the whole school. That way, she won't get a disciplinary record."
Alex sighed. "That might work. Hopefully, Lily can turn over a new leaf."
After all, a disciplinary record just before graduation wasn't good.
Lily stared at the floor, her heart sinking even further.
They had already decided her guilt with just a few words. No one believed her.
"Lily, you've disgraced the Roberts family! How could I have a sister with such poor character? It's embarrassing to even talk about it!"
"Do you think I want to be part of the Roberts family?"
Lily's eyes were dark and cold. She didn't care anymore.
"Lily, say that again if you dare!"
Austin's face turned pale with anger as he glared at her.
"You shouldn't be so harsh. You'll scare her."
The school principal, Richard Hamilton, walked in, looking kind and gentle.
Alex quickly said, "Mr. Hamilton, what brings you here?"
"I heard there's a senior student whose grades improved significantly, but is being accused of cheating. I came to see what's going on."
Austin snapped, "Mr. Hamilton, there's no need to investigate. Lily cheated to get those grades. If she doesn't apologize and admit her mistake, she should be disciplined."
Lily needed to be taught a lesson.
He had pleaded with Alex earlier to avoid a disciplinary record, but Lily didn't appreciate it.
Fine, he wouldn't do anything more for her. She didn't care anyway.
Richard looked kindly at Lily. "There's a simple way to verify if you cheated. We'll give you another test under our supervision. Are you willing to take it?"
Lily looked straight at Richard. "I'll take it, but if it proves I didn't cheat, will those who accused me apologize publicly?"
Austin sneered. "Fine, let's see what you can score."
Alex handed Lily a test. "I'll time you."
Lily sat down, grabbed a pen, and began working on the test.
The office fell silent as everyone watched her.
Alex, standing closest, was surprised to see Lily solving the math problems.
This test was much harder than the previous one, yet Lily was getting most of it right.
Time passed by.
Sophie, curious about what was happening in the office, walked in and saw Lily taking the test. She had a bad feeling.
She went straight to Austin. "Austin, what's going on? Is Lily retaking the test?"
Austin snorted. "Yes, she refuses to admit she cheated. This time, she'll have no choice but to accept the truth."
Sophie walked over to Lily. "Lily, don't be stubborn. We all believe in you. Don't push yourself."
Lily ignored Sophie, focusing on her test.
Seeing no effect on Lily, Sophie bit her lip and looked at Austin. "Austin, Lily is still mad at me."
Austin was annoyed. "Lily, Sophie is talking to you. Can't you hear her?"
Lily looked up. "I'm taking a test. Can't you see?"
Austin was taken aback. "Sophie is giving you an out, and you should take it to avoid embarrassment!"
"Sophie, don't interrupt Lily. Let's talk after she finishes the test."
Alex couldn't stand it anymore. He could see Lily was doing well on the test, likely proving she didn't cheat.
Sophie, unwilling to give up, pretended to be sweet. "Mr. Taylor, I didn't mean anything by it."
She didn't want Lily to prove her abilities.
She couldn't accept Lily being better than her and wouldn't allow it.
Sophie stood aside, watching, doubting Lily could score well.
But seeing Lily's recent changes made her uneasy.
The test time ended.
Alex quickly collected the test and, with other teachers, began grading it.
Lily sat calmly, her heart at peace.
Even seeing Sophie next to Austin didn't stir her emotions.
Not caring meant not getting hurt.
Alex, excited, spoke up. "The results are in!"
Sophie looked over, filled with malice, hoping Lily did poorly.
Austin coldly said, "Mr. Taylor, if she did poorly, don't bother saying it. It's too embarrassing."
"No, Lily did very well! This test was harder than the previous one, and she scored even better!"
Lily's heart finally settled after hearing the results.
She smiled slightly.
Austin's expression changed as he took the test paper, seeing the undeniable score.
Lily had indeed done well.
Sophie, peeking at the score, was instantly jealous.
When did Lily become so good?
This couldn't be!
Richard smiled. "The truth is clear. Lily improved through her own efforts!"
Alex nodded. "Lily has been working hard recently."
Austin's face turned grim, and finally, placing the test paper back on the desk.
He hadn't expected Lily didn't cheat.
At that moment, Lily seemed unfamiliar to him.
Richard cleared his throat. "Since the truth is clear, those who accused Lily should apologize."
Sophie's face turned red with embarrassment.