Chapter 54

Chapter 54:

Fernanda remained unfazed by Robert’s heated tirade, seated on the sofa with an impassive expression as she stared at the computer screen. When she clicked the “Not Admitted” notification, it led her to a detailed results page. She scrutinized her scores in each subject, noting they were ten to twenty points below her own estimates. Esaham University’s entrance standards were notoriously stringent—especially for elite programs. With her scores so far below the cutoff, admission now seemed out of reach.

Fernanda had always prided herself on her academic prowess. She could recall each answer she marked in the math section, certain she had achieved a perfect score. Yet the results before her contradicted that confidence, showing a loss of more than ten points. The discrepancy left her bewildered.

Robert, watching Fernanda sit silently like a statue, let his anger escalate. In a sudden outburst, he slammed her laptop shut with a resounding bang and demanded, “Why are you so quiet? Where is that fierce ambition of yours, that unshakeable self-assurance? Explain yourself p>

Michelle intervened softly, trying to diffuse the tension. “Honey, please, let’s approach this calmly. Qualifying to sit for this exam is an achievement in itself. I’ve reviewed her scores and she came quite close to the cutoff. That’s something to be proud of p>

Robert’s eyes flashed with indignation as he shot back, “People care about whether she was admitted, not how many points she scored! Honestly, I didn’t expect her to make it, but she was so sure of herself she convinced me p>

Lately, Michelle had been extolling Fernanda’s academic strengths to Robert, assuring him that the entrance exam would be easy and that acceptance was a foregone conclusion. Riding that wave of positivity, Robert’s hopes had soared. News of Fernanda’s attempt to enter Esaham University had spread throughout the city, and Robert had been fielding a steady stream of congratulatory calls from acquaintances.

The tales you love are at gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cøm

Swept away by Fernanda’s self-assurance and Michelle’s constant praise, Robert had told everyone with absolute confidence that Fernanda’s place at Esaham University was guaranteed. He had even arranged a lavish celebration at a restaurant for the day after the results were announced, envisioning it as a grand affair. The banquet was set for tomorrow at noon—but here was Fernanda, who had failed to meet the cutoff.

The weight of this revelation crushed him; the thought of facing his friends and enduring their laughter was unbearable. As he glared at Fernanda, his anger surged.

“Dad, you don’t need to be so upset,” Ector said gently, trying to soothe the tension. “I believe Fernanda did her best p>

“Who cares if she did her best? She should never have made those grand promises!” Robert snapped, scorn dripping from his voice. “She set herself up for failure and ridicule by vowing what she couldn’t deliver p>

“Did I ever ask you to make those grand declarations?” Fernanda retorted, her tone icy as she faced Robert’s fury. “You went around running your mouth, not me. Now you’re stuck with your own words, and you’re blaming me? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself p>

Robert’s hand lifted menacingly as if to strike her, but Fernanda met his gaze steadily, unflinching and defiant. Though Erika’s pulse raced with satisfaction, she masked her feelings, pretending to shrink behind Michelle.

Just as Robert’s hand hovered mid-air, Ector stepped between them. “Dad, what are you doing?” he demanded, frowning. “Fernanda is already distressed. Why make things worse by blaming her? She didn’t intend for this to happen. Why confront her like this p>

“Look at that smug attitude!” Robert barked, frustration twisting his face. “She failed, yet she shows no shame p>

“Why should I feel embarrassed?” Fernanda shot back, defiant. “Merely having the opportunity to sit for the entrance exam already sets me apart from many others p>

“Why should I carry any shame? Many never even get the chance to sit for this exam,” Fernanda replied. She rose from the couch, laptop clutched tightly in her hand, and made her way upstairs. “I’m exhausted. I’m off to bed p>

Her entire bearing radiated impatience and irritation, as if the exchange with Robert had drained her remaining strength. Robert watched her retreating figure with a scowl, his anger so fierce it threatened to consume him. He clenched his fists and collapsed back onto the couch, a wave of regret washing over him.

How had he been so naive to trust her confidence? She was nothing but a dim-witted country bumpkin—how could she ever succeed? Rumors of her eligibility having been secured through dubious means now seemed all too plausible. She lacked genuine talent.

The abrupt ring of Robert’s phone jolted him from his thoughts. Glancing at the screen, his heart skipped a beat — it was a call from a friend. He answered hesitantly, only to be met with a direct inquiry about Fernanda’s exam results.

“I, uh, haven’t seen Fernanda yet today, and I haven’t checked the results,” he stammered, too embarrassed to admit her failure.

“Hasn’t the school website posted the list already? Didn’t you look?” the friend pressed.

“Oh, I’m actually stuck in traffic right now. I’ll check as soon as I get home. I appreciate your concern!” Robert replied, scrambling for words.

“Haha, as your friend, Fernanda’s achievements are my pride too,” the friend said smugly. “Oh, and about the banquet — you haven’t forgotten, right? I’ve kept noon free tomorrow so we can celebrate her success p>

Robert responded quickly, his tone frantic, “Well, it’s really just a minor thing, not worth making a fuss over p>

“Are you kidding? This is huge! Esaham University is a prestigious milestone!” the friend exclaimed, then wrapped up the call with a cheerful promise to toast Fernanda’s accomplishments the next day.

Robert remained slumped on the couch, his grip slackening until the phone slipped from his hand and landed silently beside him.

“Honey, you really need to come clean with them,” Michelle urged, her tone tight with concern. “You can only dodge the truth for so long. Eventually, it will catch up with you p>

Robert’s scowl deepened. He knew she was right—he couldn’t keep up the lie forever. But admitting the truth now felt unbearable. Shame gnawed at him, not just for the lie, but for the bitter regret bubbling inside him. In that moment, he wished he had never brought Fernanda back into his life. Her failure had backed him into a corner with no dignified way out.

He let out a long, weary sigh and sank deeper into the couch, pressing his fingers to his temples as a dull ache spread across his forehead.

Erika and Michelle exchanged a glance. Reading the tension in the room, Erika scooted closer, her hand reaching out to gently massage Robert’s temples in a show of filial devotion.

“Dad, I might have a solution,” she murmured, her voice soft, coaxing.

Robert turned toward her, a glimmer of desperation flickering in his eyes. “What kind of solution p>

Leaning in further, Erika lowered her voice to a hush, as though guarding a dangerous secret. “What if we send Fernanda back to the countryside p>