Chapter 33 33
Scarlett’s POV
"Oh my God. UNDER REVIEW? That's code for 'we caught you cheating'!"
Madison turned to face the crowd. Her voice got louder. More confident.
"College Board only flags scores when something's fishy. When the numbers don't make sense."
Ashley stepped forward. She was nodding hard.
"Yeah, like if you fail the practice test but suddenly get a perfect score. Or if someone from a terrible school district suddenly beats everyone."
Sophie added her voice to the mix.
"They have algorithms that detect cheating patterns. Statistical anomalies, impossible improvements, all that stuff."
The murmurs started spreading through the crowd.
"Under review? That's embarrassing."
"The College Board thinks she cheated."
"How desperate do you have to be to cheat on the SAT?"
I stood there. Holding my phone. Watching them all turn on me.
Well, this is going exactly as badly as I expected.
Madison walked closer. Her smile was vicious.
"So let me get this straight. You walked in here acting all confident. You made that ridiculous bet. You accused Zelda of stealing. You caused this huge scene. And now it turns out you're a cheater?"
She laughed again. The sound was ugly.
"This is perfect. This is absolutely perfect. You're not just losing the bet. You're getting exposed as a fraud in front of everyone."
More voices joined in.
"I knew something was off about her."
"Girls from foster care don't suddenly score high on standardized tests."
"She probably paid someone to take it for her."
Viviana pushed through the crowd. Her face was white. Then red. Then almost purple.
"You cheated on a standardized test?" Her voice shook. "You brought this shame to our family name?"
Lorenzo was right behind her. His expression was dark.
"Do you understand what you've done? Everyone here knows now. The Santoros. The Morettis. All the Five Families. They all think the Romano family raised a cheater."
I looked at both of them. Said nothing.
They're more worried about their reputation than the actual truth.
Sal Romano pushed his way to the front. His face was dark red. The vein in his temple was throbbing.
"Scarlett. Outside. Now."
His voice was low. Controlled. But the anger was clear.
I didn't move.
"You couldn't just stay quiet for one night?" he continued. "You had to make a scene at your sister's party? You had to embarrass this family in front of everyone?"
He pointed toward the exit.
"Go home. Right now. Before you embarrass this family any further."
I looked at him for a long moment.
Then I spoke. My voice was calm. Clear.
"When exactly did I make a scene? I came here because Zelda insisted."
Sal's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"She called me. She texted me. She even used the necklace from my foster mother to force me to come here. And now you're blaming me for being here?"
Sal's jaw clenched. He looked at Zelda. Then back at me.
"I don't want to hear excuses. Just go."
He gestured to the security guards standing by the door.
"Escort her out. Now."
Two guards started walking toward me.
I was about to turn and leave when someone else pushed through the crowd.
A man in a dark suit. He looked like hotel management.
"Excuse me, Mr. Romano." The man's voice was polite but firm. "I apologize for the interruption."
He leaned in closer to Sal. Lowered his voice.
"There are some visitors here to see your family. They're quite insistent."
Sal frowned. Looked irritated.
"Not now. Tell them to make an appointment. Can't you see we're in the middle of something?"
He waved his hand dismissively.
The hotel manager shifted his weight. Looked uncomfortable.
"Sir, they're from the National Academic Excellence Foundation. They said it's regarding one of your daughters and they've been trying to reach your family all evening."
He paused.
"They went to your residence first. Your staff directed them here."
The murmurs in the crowd changed.
"National Academic Excellence Foundation?"
"That's the organization that recognizes top students nationwide."
"They only visit families of exceptional scholars."
Zelda's face lit up. Her smile got wider.
Madison smirked at me.
"See? Even national organizations are recognizing Zelda's achievement."
Sal's expression changed immediately. The anger melted away. Replaced by pleased surprise.
"The National Academic Excellence Foundation? Here?"
The hotel manager nodded.
"Yes sir. They're waiting in the lobby. Should I bring them in?"
"Yes. Of course. Absolutely."
Sal straightened his tie. Smoothed down his jacket. Looked over at Zelda with visible pride.
Three people walked into the ballroom.
An older gentleman in a charcoal suit. He carried a leather portfolio. His hair was gray. His posture was straight.
A middle-aged woman in professional attire. She wore an official badge on her lapel.
A younger man holding a tablet. Taking notes.
All three wore badges that read "NAEF - National Academic Excellence Foundation."
The older gentleman stepped forward. Extended his hand to Sal.
"Mr. Romano? I'm Dr. Richard Westbrook, Executive Director of the National Academic Excellence Foundation."
He gestured to his companions.
"This is Dr. Patricia Reynolds, our Director of Scholar Recognition, and Mr. James Chen, our Research Coordinator."
His voice carried quiet authority. The kind that came from years of dealing with important people.
Sal shook his hand warmly. The anger from moments ago was completely gone.
"Dr. Westbrook! This is quite an honor. We weren't expecting you, but of course, we're delighted you're here."
He glanced at Zelda. His expression was proud.
Dr. Westbrook smiled slightly.
"We apologize for the unannounced visit, but this is somewhat time-sensitive. The NAEF recognizes fewer than fifty students nationwide each year for truly exceptional academic achievement."
He paused.
"When we identify a qualifying candidate, we prefer to deliver the news in person."
Dr. Reynolds stepped forward. She was looking at a folder in her hands.
"We've been trying to reach your family all evening. Multiple attempts. Phone calls, emails, text messages. All went unanswered."
She looked up.
"Your household staff mentioned there was a celebration here tonight."
Mr. Chen added, looking at his tablet.
"Our foundation works closely with the College Board, ETS, and major universities. When a student's performance reaches a certain threshold, we're automatically notified. We then conduct our own verification before extending recognition."
The crowd was buzzing now. Everyone assumed they were talking about Zelda.
"National recognition! How wonderful!"
"This is in addition to her Columbia acceptance!"
"The Romano family must be so proud!"
I watched Zelda. Her face was glowing. She smoothed down her designer dress. Took a graceful step forward. Her eyes were downcast in practiced humility.
Sal was standing taller now. This was validating everything.
I started backing away slowly. Toward the exit.
If these people were here for me, I didn't want to deal with it. Too much attention. Too much drama.
I just wanted my necklace back. That's all I came for.
I took another step back.
"Scarlett, leaving so soon?"
Zelda's voice stopped me.
I turned around. She was smiling at me. That sweet smile.
"Don't you want to see what they have to say?"
Her voice was perfectly concerned. Perfectly innocent.
Madison immediately grabbed my wrist.
"The bet isn't over yet. You're not going anywhere."
Ashley and Sophie moved to block the path to the exit.
Other guests formed a circle around us. Everyone was watching.
I was trapped.
I looked at Zelda. Really looked at her.
"Are you sure you want me to stay for this?"
My voice was sincere. I was giving her one last chance.
Zelda's eyes flickered. Just for a second. Then her expression shifted. Her voice trembled slightly.
"I mean, if you want to leave, I won't stop you. I don't want to force you to stay."
Madison's grip on my wrist tightened. "Oh no, you're staying. You made this bet. You're going to face the consequences like an adult."
Ashley nodded.
"She's just trying to run away because she knows she lost."
Sophie added, "Typical. Can't even own up to her mistakes."
Other guests murmured in agreement. They were all looking at me like I'd committed some terrible crime.
I looked at Madison. Then at the three NAEF representatives standing near Sal and Zelda.
"Okay," I said. "I'll stay."