Professor Lane stood there as if he were upholding justice above all else, and his stance earned approving looks from everyone in the office.
Riley curled her lips into a faint, mocking smile.
They haven't even figured out what happened, and they've already decided it was me.
Just because I'm "the fool", I'm supposed to take the blame?
Vice President York's expression turned conflicted. "Timothy, Riley was personally assigned to your class by President Langford. Now that something like this has happened… I'm in a difficult position as well.
"I wouldn't dare make any decisions lightly when it comes to someone placed by the president."
Vice President York mentioned President Langford again and again, sounding troubled—but there was a trace of poorly hidden satisfaction in his tone.
Professor Lane snorted. "Even if President Langford were standing here today, I'd say the same thing. My class doesn't need someone like Riley. Put her wherever you want—we won't take her. Every student in our class is top-tier. Even Felicia, who came along as her companion, ranks in the top five of the grade. Someone like Riley doesn't belong in our class!"
"Timothy, calm down. We're still discussing a solution," Vice President York said lightly, though inwardly he was pleased.
Vice President York and President Langford had never gotten along. He had been looking for a chance to bring him down, but there had never been any leverage—until now.
Riley was the perfect weak link.
Who would've thought?
Charles had been flawless for years, yet now he had let a "fool" into the university.
Has he finally lost his touch?
A female lecturer beside them spoke up, her tone measured. "Timothy, let's not jump to conclusions yet. The situation hasn't been fully investigated. We should report to President Langford after we've clarified everything."
She paused, then added, "Besides, the math paper leak was discovered early. The later exam questions were jointly prepared by several of us on short notice. Yet Riley still scored full marks. There are still unanswered questions here."
She glanced at Riley, a hint of sympathy flashing in her eyes.
The replacement test had been intentionally made more difficult. Even if someone had tried to leak it, there wouldn't have been enough time. More importantly, Riley's solutions didn't even match the standard answers.
That alone made her doubt the cheating accusation.
Professor Lane remained firm. "I don't care what the truth is. My class cannot have someone like her. She's the only so-called 'fool' in the entire grade who got full marks. I don't believe the leak has nothing to do with her."
The female instructor frowned slightly after being shut down and chose not to argue further.
Riley, however, gave her a small, appreciative look.
Vice President York turned to Riley. "Riley, tell me honestly—did you cheat on this exam?"
"No," Riley replied, shaking her head.
Professor Lane scoffed. "Like anyone would admit it even if they did."
Riley almost found herself impressed by her homeroom advisor.
He'll pin anything on me just to get me out of Class One.
They reviewed the surveillance footage again and again, and went over her exam papers repeatedly. Finally, a man sitting quietly in the corner spoke up. He wore glasses and had remained silent until now.
"How about this," he said. "Since Riley insists she didn't cheat, let her retake the exams on the spot. Not just math—all subjects. Riley, do you have any objections?"
It was a reasonable solution, and the other instructors silently agreed.
Riley nodded. "I'm fine with that. But I have one condition."
The man with glasses—Ethan Harper, Year One Coordinator—looked slightly displeased. "What condition?"
Riley's voice remained calm. "If I can prove I didn't cheat, you all owe me an apology. And this additional test will count as my official entrance exam results."