The Class Seven students went all in.
They started a thread on the campus forum, openly offering cash rewards in exchange for votes for Riley.
Some people got one or two hundred per vote.
Even the lowest still earned a few dollars.
The comments below were flooded with screenshots of completed votes—followed by people claiming their rewards.
A money thread like that?
Of course it went viral.
Within minutes, it shot to the top of the trending list. Riley's vote count skyrocketed.
In just that short span of time, people estimated they had already spent at least ten thousand.
Seeing that, who wouldn't say—
Rich players really have it good.
Noticing the dark look on Felicia's face, Miranda hesitated before speaking. "Felicia… they're using money to manipulate the votes. That's not fair. We could do the same…"
Felicia shook her head immediately. "No. Miranda, I don't really care about this. Let's just leave it to fate. Buying votes goes against my principles. The university wouldn't want the freshman representative decided like this either."
But no matter how she phrased it—
There was a faint bitterness in her voice.
If this method worked, she would have thrown money at it without hesitation.
The freshman representative position wasn't just an honor. It meant entry into the Academic Committee—and a stepping stone for her future among elite circles.
But competing financially?
Against the Class Seven students?
That wasn't even a question.
They couldn't win.
Miranda studied her expression carefully. "Felicia… you really don't care?"
Felicia forced a stiff smile and handed the phone back. "I don't. Miranda, I just remembered I have something to do. I'll go ahead. See you."
But her tone betrayed her.
Miranda sighed, her resentment toward Riley deepening.
***
After parting ways, Felicia turned down a quieter path.
She waited.
A moment later, faint footsteps approached.
"Felicia…" Evan appeared, his face pale, his eyes unfocused—as if he'd just gone through something devastating.
Felicia was startled, irritation flashing through her.
Not now.
She was already stressed about the voting situation, and now he showed up looking like a ghost.
Still, her expression softened instantly, gentle and concerned. "Evan, what's wrong? You don't look well."
Hearing her voice, Evan finally snapped back slightly.
His throat felt dry. He swallowed. "Felicia… they found out about me leaking the exam questions."
"What?!"
Felicia's eyes widened, her face turning pale.
"Then… what about me?"
"No," Evan said quickly. "Right now, the faculty office only knows it was me. I told them I went to retrieve another document from my uncle's computer and accidentally copied the exam file. For now… they're not digging any deeper."
But the memory of the lecturers' disappointed expressions still stung.
He had never been so humiliated in his life.
Seeing Felicia's anxious face, he tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. I won't expose you. Mr Harper is my uncle—he'll find a way to suppress this."
Felicia nodded, her expression pitiful. "Then… what will the university do to you?"
If the punishment was severe, there was no guarantee he wouldn't turn on her to save himself.
She had only just started building her reputation at Imperial University. If she got branded as a cheater—and worse, if it reached the media—
Her future would be ruined.
A chill ran through her.
Her face grew even paler.