One test set missing?Sarah stared intently at the damaged safe. When she left last night, it had been securely locked, and the only key was with her.“What do we do now, Ms. Sanders?” The student beside her was on the verge of tears.The principal’s speech was nearly over, and it would soon be time for the judges to speak. Sarah made a quick decision. “Here’s what we’ll do—discard all these test questions.”“Discard them?! But the test sets have already been handed to the judges. Where are we going to find a new set of questions now?”Sarah pulled out a USB drive. “This drive contains a completely new set of questions. Originally, I set it aside because the difficulty level was a bit high. Now, take this and find two trusted people to help you. Make 500 copies as quickly as possible and bring them back.”The participants were already seated, and their phones had been collected. Once the new tests were printed, they could be distributed immediately without risk of further leaks.
Jane, Professor Wells, and the other judges were surprised when they received the new test questions—it was clear they were different from the set they’d been given earlier that morning.The participants were given only ten minutes to complete the test. To everyone’s shock, only forty contestants advanced to the next round.Mia was among the finalists, but Lucy was eliminated.Furious, Lucy yanked the crumpled test paper from her bag. Lindsey tried to console her, saying, “It’s okay, Lucy. It’s just a competition.”“Get lost! Stay away from me!” Lucy exploded, tearing the paper into shreds and throwing it to the ground.Annoyed, Lindsey walked away, muttering under her breath, “What’s her problem? She failed to cheat and now she’s blaming me.”The second round proceeded smoothly. Each time a video clip was played, the groups would start writing furiously on their sheets. The entire auditorium was filled with nothing but the quiet scratching of pens on paper.When the second roun
Just as Mia stepped onto the stage, Lucy suddenly stormed up and pointed at Sarah, shouting loudly, “I want to report something! Sarah helped Mia cheat! This is unfair!” Her words echoed through the auditorium, and the room fell silent. Zachary’s cold gaze swept over Lucy, while Sarah responded in a steady, icy tone. “Lucy, you can’t make accusations without proof.” “I have proof!” Lucy screamed, her voice frantic. Dean Larson exchanged a glance with Professor Wells, while Jane looked on with a cold, unreadable expression. Lucy continued, her voice filled with righteous indignation. “The original test questions were supposed to be a different set! But just thirty minutes before the competition, Sarah swapped them out. Isn’t that suspicious? And look at this!” She held up Mia’s bag and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper. “I found the original test questions in Mia’s bag!” Dean Larson turned to Sarah, his tone heavy. “Ms. Sanders, what’s going on here?” He was awar
Sarah’s gaze grew sharper as she locked eyes with Lucy. Her voice was steady but commanding. “Who told you?”Lucy avoided her stare, her eyes darting nervously. Still, she clung to her argument. “That doesn’t matter! The fact is, this test paper is from the competition! Don’t deny it. If you won’t admit it, we can have the events committee investigate to see who’s lying! You’re just helping Mia cheat because you’re close to her!”The crowd grew restless, their anger reignited. If Lucy’s claims were true, then Sarah had crossed a line, betraying the trust of the entire competition.The psychology department’s reputation had been built on the long-standing tradition of these annual competitions. And now, someone was accusing a faculty member of cheating in one of its most important events.But Sarah remained calm. She smiled faintly and raised a hand to quiet the room. “Everyone, please listen. Lucy is correct. This is indeed the first set of test questions—the ones prepared for toda
Sarah’s face was cold and composed as she gestured toward the screen. The projector lit up, displaying grainy, green-tinged footage from the office’s night-vision camera. Despite the low light, the scene was clear.After about ten seconds, the office door creaked open. Two figures snuck inside, moving cautiously. One of them was unmistakably Lucy.“Turn it off! Turn it off!” Lucy screamed, her panic evident. A moment ago, she had been full of bravado, but seeing the footage made her realize the truth—this had been a trap. Sarah had set her up from the start.The video paused, freezing on Lucy’s face in perfect clarity.“Lucy Chancer,” Dean Larson said, his face alternating between pale and flushed with anger, “so you’re the one who stole the test questions. And now, at the competition, you dare accuse others to cover your own actions?”The dean’s fury was palpable. In front of so many reporters, this wasn’t just embarrassing—it was a direct blow to the university’s reputation.St
“No! You can’t!” Lucy screamed as if possessed, suddenly scrambling to her feet. Her voice was shrill, almost desperate. “Dean! You absolutely cannot call the police! If you do, my life will be ruined! You can’t! I’m from the Chancer family! My brother is on the board of trustees—you can’t just ignore that!”Tears brimmed in her eyes, overflowing as she shook her head wildly. She couldn’t let this happen.She was the daughter of the Chancer family, a shining socialite of the East Coast. If she were arrested and sent to jail, not only would the other wealthy families shun her, but she’d become a target of mockery for everyone in her circle.Dean Larson hesitated, visibly torn. After all, the Chancer family held sway over the board.But Zachary’s icy voice cut through the tension. “Don’t worry, Dean Larson. The board isn’t blind to right and wrong. Besides, this matter involves Mia, and the Reynolds family will not let this go. Let’s follow Ms. Sanders’s suggestion.”“Mr. Reynolds!
The Infirmary.Sarah’s legs were badly burned, red and swollen, with blisters forming. Her arms bore smaller burn marks as well.Mia had wanted to come along, but Zachary sent her home, insisting she rest.As the doctor treated Sarah’s burns, she drew in a sharp breath. The pain was excruciating—not just searing heat, but a crawling, prickling sensation, as if countless tiny insects were biting into her skin. It burned and itched all at once, the kind of itch she desperately wanted to scratch but couldn’t without unbearable pain.“Don’t touch it,” Zachary said firmly, catching her wrist to stop her from moving.The doctor handed Zachary an ice pack. “Place this directly on the burn. Keep it against the skin for at least ten minutes.”Zachary took the ice pack but suddenly paused, glancing at the doctor. “Wait—can she still use ice for that... area?”The doctor immediately understood. “It’s fine. She likely won’t feel it there.”Sarah’s face turned crimson. Using her uninjured h
The Infirmary.“Keep the ice on a little longer.”Just as the ice packs were being removed, the door to the infirmary burst open.James walked in with his mother, followed by Charlotte and the Garnett family.“You wretched woman! Give me back my daughter!” Mrs. Chancer yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at Sarah. “The police took my daughter away, and you’re going to march down to that station right now and have her released!”James, slightly more composed, glanced at Sarah’s burns with a flicker of surprise. But when he saw Zachary standing nearby, his expression immediately soured.“Sarah, I apologize on behalf of my sister,” James began, trying to sound reasonable. “But don’t you think you went too far? Calling the police was unnecessary. You were just acting on impulse, weren’t you? Let’s put this behind us. If you can have her released, I’ll make sure you’re compensated for everything.”“James,” Sarah’s voice was sharp, “you think I went too far? Have you looked at what
James took a deep breath. "Yes, they took her daughter.""What now?""Head back first."James was at his wit's end. At home, his mother would question him endlessly, and even if he stayed away, her calls were constant.Worse still, he'd discovered the Reynolds were making moves, even targeting Chancer company stocks.Everything seemed inevitable. He put down his phone.At the university counseling center, Professor Wells brought flowers, and Dean Larson offered congratulations. Sarah's paper in the Psychology Journal was a milestone for the university.As she carried the flowers out the main gate, Lindsey and Steven joined her."Sarah, let's go to the resort!" Lindsey waved some tickets excitedly.Sarah knew the place - Lindsey had mentioned it at least five times before. The resort was less than a year old but already popular with VIPs and international guests.Sarah glanced at Zachary, knowing he must have arranged the tickets.Seeing her hesitate, Mia pulled her toward th
In the study, the tense atmosphere made Zachary uncomfortable. William sat at his mahogany desk, working on his art, not even glancing up.After what felt like forever, he finished and set down his brush. "What's been keeping you so busy lately?""Just business matters.”"Business? Seems more like romance. I don't oppose relationships, but you should know about this woman's history." William looked concerned.Zachary smiled wryly. "Grandfather, I know Sarah better than anyone. Don't listen to gossip."William chuckled. "How would you know?"Zachary shrugged. "If nobody had complained to you, why this sudden summons?""Indeed, someone sent me some troubling emails."Zachary remained silent. William probably didn't believe the rumors. He was likely just testing him."Your personal life is your business. Make your own choices. You can go." William waved him away.After the academic scandal, Sarah signed with the Psychology Journal, publishing her research.This caused quite a s
"Ahem, Mia..." Sarah said awkwardly.The voice on the phone cut off abruptly. Seconds later, Sarah's phone rang."Sarah, are you feeling better? I was just joking earlier, don't take it seriously," Mia said timidly.Sarah laughed softly. "Much better. The fever's gone.""That's good, that's good. I'll hang up now."After her IV finished and she'd eaten her porridge, she took a nap. When she woke, she found Zachary dozing, his chin propped on his hand.He must be exhausted after bringing her here at dawn and watching over her so long.His sleeping face looked softer, less sharp. His eyelashes were long and thick. She reached out to touch them - so soft.She traced his nose, his cheeks, his lips that had kissed her several times.She'd wanted to do this since that night when he'd touched her lips.Suddenly his eyes opened. As she tried to pull back, he caught her hand. "Weren't you asleep?" she asked, breathing quickly."Light sleeper." He'd been awake since she opened her eye
She was just a university counselor who'd moved on after her divorce.Suddenly, she laughed at herself. When had she become so insecure? She used to be confident and vibrant like Mia, but now...Zachary sat down, putting the apple back in her hand, looking directly into her eyes. "This isn't a game. I'm serious. I thought you could feel that."His gaze burned with intensity. "Sarah, tell me, what kind of person do you think you are?"Sarah stumbled over her words. "I...""What kind of person?" Zachary kept staring, as if trying to burn through her defenses."Like James's mother said - a divorced woman with a bad reputation." Sarah laughed bitterly.Zachary shook his head, his eyes turning cold. "Do you believe that?"Believe it?Why should she?James was the one with the bad reputation.Society was always harder on women. Divorced women faced more prejudice than men. When Mrs. Chancer said those things, she'd wanted to ask if she wasn't a woman herself."Of course not," Sar
James finally looked at Charlotte. She’s right, what was wrong with him?Why was he so obsessed? He loved Charlotte - the woman he'd always wanted was right beside him. What else could he want?He pulled Charlotte into his arms, breathing in her light jasmine perfume.Suddenly, a memory flashed: Sarah walking into their room, quietly bringing him tea, her hair still damp from the shower, water droplets on her nightgown making her look irresistible.He saw himself coldly taking the tea, ignoring her.Sarah playfully leaning her head on his shoulder, deliberately letting him smell her hair. "Do you like my new shampoo?" she'd asked excitedly.He'd pushed her away emotionlessly. "Don't bother me. Learn your place," before heading to his study."I'm sorry," James blurted out.Charlotte startled, thinking he was apologizing to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tearful. "James, I don't blame you. I love you so much. Please don't let me down."James snapped back to reality
James caught Zachary's expression and fell silent, Charlotte’s words bringing him back to reality.In his anger, he'd almost forgotten who he was dealing with."Sarah, I can make Lucy apologize and compensate you. Name your price - I'll try to meet it."Sarah looked at James coldly, her voice icy. "No need. Please leave."James's face fell. Charlotte and Mrs. Chancer paled - they hadn't expected such firm resistance."Fine, have it your way. Don't come crying to us later." Mrs. Chancer shot Sarah a venomous look.Outside the hospital, James brooded over his humiliation. "We knew she wouldn't agree to a deal. Why did we even come?"The visit had been his mother's idea. She glared at him. "Are you blaming me? I'm just trying to help! I thought since she used to love you so much, a few kind words might work. Who knew she'd land such a powerful man? She already looked down on us - now we're nothing to her."Mrs. Chancer kept muttering as they walked. "What luck, snagging the Reynol
Charlotte watched James's reaction with barely concealed anger."You're the shameless one! We came here to make peace. Isn't money what you want? Weren't the millions and the villa enough? Name your price to let Lucy go!" Mrs. Chancer glared at Sarah."That settlement was what James owed me. And no, I won't make a deal.""You think your refusal matters?" Mrs. Chancer stepped forward, sneering. "Don't think the Reynolds will protect you forever. Someone like Zachary could never love you. He's just playing around - don't flatter yourself. He hasn't even gone public about you.""What exactly are you saying to my girlfriend?" A cold voice cut through the room.Zachary walked in with breakfast, set it down, and moved to Sarah's side. He looked at Mrs. Chancer with contempt. "The Chancers seem overconfident lately. How's that Vista International deal going?"James flinched. Vista was a Fortune 500 company expanding into their market. They'd initially partnered with Reynolds Enterprises
She looked nervously at Zachary. Had she mistaken?"Yes, you can go now."After the nurse left, Sarah glared at Zachary. "You... you just...""What did I do? You heard what she said?" Zachary gave her a knowing look.He even licked his lips, making Sarah turn away in embarrassment, pulling the hospital blanket over as she rolled to face the window.How mortifying - being caught like that, and now the nurse thought they were a couple.Her face felt hotter than her fever.Worse still, Zachary moved to her other side, still smiling.Knowing she could barely move, she swung weakly at his shoulder, the slap echoing surprisingly loud in the quiet room."Why didn't you dodge!""Didn't hurt at all,” Zachary smiled softly, then stepped away to answer his phone.His expression darkened after hanging up.Sarah noticed the change. "What's wrong?""They've taken Grace Harrison’s daughter." Zachary's face was grim.Sarah froze. Lucy had just been arrested, and now Grace's daughter was
Opening Sarah's bedroom door, his heart nearly stopped at the sight of her.When he touched her, she was burning hot.Without wasting time, he rushed her to the hospital.From 2 AM until after 5, her fever finally broke. He hadn't dared sleep, anxiously watching the IV drip while constantly monitoring her condition."You're not leaving the hospital again." Zachary's tone left no room for argument.Sarah could tell from his expression that he was furious."Thanks for the trouble," she said with an awkward laugh.This made Zachary even angrier. 'Thanks for the trouble' - why was she always so distant?"Trouble? Don't ever say that again." Zachary suddenly leaned closer to Sarah.Startled, she shrank back. "Don't get too close. You'll catch my cold."She covered her mouth, coughing several times.But Zachary didn't move away. Instead, he studied her intently. Her beautiful eyes avoided his gaze, making her look adorable.Suddenly, he felt an urge - a strange feeling. Looking a