Professor Lane turned back, staring at Riley's innocent face. His hands clenched tightly at his sides.
But Riley didn't budge. She stood her ground, stubborn and unyielding.
When he still didn't move, a faint smile appeared on her face.
"My lecturer used to say," she began softly, her tone simple and guileless, "that you should stand by your words and keep your promises. A person who breaks their word can't earn respect. Professor Lane… are you that kind of person?"
The naïve question, delivered with such sincerity, made Professor Lane wish the ground would swallow him whole.
He gritted his teeth, then bent forward in a stiff bow. "This was my mistake. I misjudged you. I'm sorry—I apologize."
Riley broke into a bright smile. Mimicking what she had seen others do, she made a small gesture as if helping him up, her tone generous. "It's okay, Professor Lane. I forgive you. And I'm very generous—so you don't have to livestream yourself eating that… tonight."
Professor Lane's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
Now he had truly lost all dignity.
A professor of the elite class—forced to bow and apologize to a "fool". How was he supposed to maintain authority after this?
Thinking about all the eyes watching through the surveillance feed, he felt like a thief stripped bare in public—his pride shattered, inside and out. The resentment he felt toward Riley burned hotter than ever.
Riley, as if completely oblivious to his murderous glare, hugged her stuffed bunny and skipped out of the room in high spirits.
The audience watching the livestream erupted.
The tables had turned.
Riley wasn't just some ordinary "fool"—she was one who could score perfect marks.
And Professor Lane, known for his rigid personality, had actually bowed and apologized. It was practically unheard of.
A wave of admiration spread among the students. Someone like her—calm under pressure, unyielding yet composed—felt like the kind of student who truly deserved to represent them.
One by one, students began voting for Riley.
Her vote count surged, shooting straight into the top hundred.
Felicia stared at the forum, watching as praise for Riley flooded the page, pushing down all the paid posts she had arranged. Her face darkened with fury.
I knew Riley had studied abroad—but I never expected her to remember everything she'd learned.
Damn it.
I had wanted her to expose herself—
But instead, I'd handed her the perfect opportunity.
Not only had Riley secured her place at Imperial University, she was now even competing for the freshman representative position.
For now, Felicia still held first place, buoyed by her exam results and her recent appearance on a TV variety show. The attention had built her a sizeable following.
But as Riley's votes kept climbing, unease began to coil in her chest.
And with the university still investigating the exam leak…
Felicia had to warn her mother immediately.
After clearing her name, Riley didn't bother returning to class. Hugging her stuffed bunny, she headed straight for the campus gates. Classes were almost over anyway—and considering everything she had "been through", leaving early felt completely justified.
The moment she stepped out of the academic building, she heard someone exclaim—
"Wow! So many flowers! Who's the rich guy trying to court someone from our university this time?"
"I bet they're for Felicia! She's been getting flowers every day lately."
Felicia, Miranda, and the others had just come out as well, teasing her as she blushed shyly.
Felicia lowered her head, her cheeks flushed. "Oh, you girls. Stop teasing me. There are so many students here—how could they all be for me?"
Celeste giggled. "But you're the only one who's been getting this kind of grand flower delivery at the campus gate these past few days. If not you, then who?"