There was no doubt in Zaylee’s mind that Melany must have relied on Rylie’s connections to get the answers in advance. But she hadn’t been content with merely passing; instead, she had copied the solutions to the extra questions! Wasn’t that the same as handing over undeniable proof of her own cheating?

Utterly foolish.

Zaylee forced her way through the crowd and slipped into the girls’ restroom, where she sat on the toilet seat and pulled out her phone. With steady hands, she carefully drafted an email, reviewing every word to ensure nothing was overlooked. Once she was certain it was flawless, she hit send.

A long breath escaped her as tension drained from her shoulders, her eyes sharpening with determination.

Even with Rylie standing behind Melany, Zaylee believed the school would have no choice but to deal with the matter fairly once the truth came to light.

When she returned to the classroom, her friend quickly approached, offering comfort. “Zaylee, one bad exam doesn’t define you. And who knows? Maybe Melany really did cheat. Everyone knows how capable you are.”

Zaylee lowered her head, her teeth pressing into her lip. “I believe fairness still exists in this world. Don’t say anything else. I need to concentrate on my studies.”

She sat through the teacher’s analysis of the exam paper, her attention split as she discreetly scrolled through the school forum on her phone.

For some reason, every post she had made questioning Melany’s cheating had been mysteriously removed, and one by one, her anonymous accounts were locked without explanation.

It was obvious that someone was deliberately shielding Melany and targeting her in the process.

Zaylee was certain the other side must be feeling threatened, but their blatant arrogance was infuriating.

She gripped her textbook tightly, a knot of unease in her stomach, and waited anxiously from morning until evening for the school’s response.

Her report email had been sent more than eight hours ago, yet there was still no word from the Department of Education. A scandal this severe, with the principal and teachers suspected of shielding a cheating student, should have drawn an immediate response.

How could Melany still sit beside her in class as though nothing had happened? Just as Zaylee considered storming into the principal’s office herself, a student council member appeared at the door and called out, “Zaylee and Melany, the principal wants you both in the meeting room. There’s something important to discuss.”

The announcement made Zaylee’s pulse quicken. Her report had clearly reached the right hands, and now came the moment to face the issue directly. She held back the smile tugging at her lips, forcing a calm expression as she answered, “Alright.”

In the meeting room, Gunter sat at the head of the table, joined by the head of the Academic Affairs Office and several representatives from the Department of Education, all gathered around the long conference table.

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