The Class Seven students sat in dead silence, their earlier bravado completely gone.
When Riley walked in with a group of lecturers behind her, confusion rippled through the room. Not just among the students—even the lecturers looked puzzled.
Howard's eyes lit up the moment he saw her step onto the podium. "Damn—who's that? She's gorgeous! Is she a new transfer into our class?"
Henry rolled his eyes. "We're about to get publicly shamed, and you think anyone would willingly transfer here right now?"
"Fair point." Howard tilted his head, still staring. "Then who is she?"
Henry glanced over. "Probably from the faculty office. Didn't she come in with them?"
Disappointment flickered across Howard's face. "What a waste. Turns out she's one of those faculty office people."
Ignoring the chatter, Riley switched on the projector, connected it to the network, and said nothing.
Ethan frowned. "Why did you bring all of us here? Let me be clear—Class Seven's act of stealing exam questions and cheating is already a confirmed fact. There's no need for you to play games here or try to clear their name."
Professor Lane added with a sneer, "Exactly. Dragging all of us here just for Class Seven—what's the point? Do you really think a few words from you can overturn what they've done?"
That was the final straw.
The Class Seven students exploded into chaos.
"We didn't cheat!"
"What evidence do you have to say we stole the exam papers?"
Professor Lane's expression was full of disdain. "Evidence? Just look at your class. You all got in through connections—otherwise why would this class even exist? Our university hasn't had a cheating scandal in years. The other six classes are full of top students—why would they stoop to something so disgraceful?"
Howard shot to his feet, furious. "That's discrimination! Good grades don't equal good character! Who's to say it wasn't your precious Class One students covering their own tracks and framing us?"
"You—nonsense!" Professor Lane's face twisted in anger. "Look at you—no respect for lecturers whatsoever! How did our university end up with a bunch of troublemakers like you?"
My students from Class One are the elites.
There was no way any of my students would do something like that.
Ridiculous.
Howard's face flushed red with rage, ready to throw a punch at the arrogant man.
Henry grabbed him, shaking his head. "Forget it. You can't reason with people like them. Let's see how this plays out."
Finally, Riley finished setting everything up. She looked up at the Class Seven students.
"I'll ask one more time," she said calmly. "Did you steal the exam papers?"
The entire class answered in unison—
"Of course not!"
Riley nodded, about to speak—
But a bitter voice cut in from below.
"Even if we say we didn't, who's going to believe us? Hah."
The sarcasm was unmistakable. The students wore expressions of defiant self-mockery.
Riley raised a brow slightly.
"I believe you."
What?
They thought they had misheard.
The Class Seven students stared at her, wide-eyed. One of them asked, "You… actually believe us?"
Riley nodded, completely serious.
A lecturer beside her scoffed. "And what does your belief matter? The evidence is clear—Class Seven is responsible."
A trace of mockery flickered in Riley's eyes. She asked, "Oh? Then tell me—what exactly is this 'solid evidence' you keep talking about?"