Chapter 5
I never expected that in my past life, those ungrateful people would claim that my father threatened my classmates on my behalf. That lie led to a wave of crazed netizens storming our home and killing my entire family under the guise of avenging Sophie. But this time, I will never let my father get dragged into this mess again. … The next morning, I ate the breakfast Dad made and took the bus to school. As time drew closer, the shuttle bus stop for the college entrance exam remained unusually quiet. The teachers looked more and more anxious. “What’s going on? Is the Rocket Class skipping the college entrance exam?” Our head teacher walked over, looking haggard and drained, followed by a few students who were pale and shaky. When they saw me, they avoided eye contact, shame and regret written all over their faces. The principal looked grim. He listened to the head teacher’s stumbling report, and his fury exploded: “I warned you again and again to watch your food and stay disciplined before the exam! But you all went drinking at a bar the night before?!” “Now only five of you are able to sit the exam. The rest? Hospitalized for gastric lavage. Some are even in the ICU?!” “Have you lost your minds? You’re destroying your own future—and dragging my career down with you!” His outburst drew attention from nearby parents and the media. “Oh my God, we’re extra careful just cooking meals these days, and these kids dared to drink until they poisoned themselves?” “They had time to party and drink at a time like this? And are these supposed to be the top students? More like a gang of punks.” “My kid’s grades may be average, but at least he’s responsible. The parents of those so-called geniuses must be losing it.” “I’ve worked in media for years, and I’ve never seen an entire class drink so much before the college entrance exam that they couldn’t take it.” Cameras clicked rapidly. The principal’s face turned ashen. “It’s over. I’m finished. The school is finished.” The American teacher, who’d always favored Ethan and Sophie, paled. “Where are Ethan and Sophie? They were our Yale hopefuls!” The academic director hung his head. “We still haven’t reached them. We’ve reported it to the police.” The principal staggered, clutching his chest. Then he looked at me—and hope suddenly flickered in his eyes. “Emma is a good student. She stayed away from them. We still have a shot at placing someone at Yale.” I lowered my eyes and said with fake remorse, “Ethan was worried I’d report him, so he took my admission ticket. He hasn’t shown up since. I probably won’t be able to take the exam.” Bang! The principal collapsed on the spot. Panic broke out. Some rushed him to the hospital; others herded the remaining students to the test site. I got on the shuttle. The atmosphere was heavy—someone had already started crying. “My dad’s gonna kill me… I shouldn’t have gone to that bar…” “What do we do now? I can’t get into a top school… It’s all Sophie’s fault…” I stared out the window, listening to their sobs with a blank expression. Didn’t you all say you were geniuses? Was the exam just a formality? So what are you crying about now? Afraid to fail? When I arrived at the testing center, I was indeed turned away—I had no admission ticket. A classmate overheard and looked at me guiltily. He whispered, “I’m sorry.” After confirming I couldn’t enter, I turned around and left. My father’s face was pale with rage. He felt sorry for me but cursed Ethan out loud. Before we even left the premises, the incident had already blown up. The parents of the Rocket Class’s top students launched a live broadcast, issued a joint statement, contacted the police, and hired lawyers— They demanded accountability from the school, Ethan, and Sophie.