Lila had been constantly reassuring herself not to care about these things.
Sylvia could only resort to these tactics, even bringing Finn to school. The likely outcome would be the cancellation of her results.
But when she heard Dr. Sean ask about her results, she still couldn’t control her sadness.
As Lila was about to answer, someone called her from the side, “Lila, the homeroom teacher wants you to go to the office.”
Hearing this, she pressed her lips together. “I need to go to the office first. I’ll talk to you later.”
After hanging up, Lila went directly to the teacher’s office.
She found Finn inside, and the atmosphere was tense.
Finn spoke coldly, “Lila, I never thought you would cheat just to win. Do you understand what this behavior means?”
Lila wasn’t surprised at all, knowing Finn wouldn’t believe her.
Her eyes were clear and direct. “I didn’t cheat.”
She would not admit to something she hadn’t done.
“Lila, the facts are presented, and you’re still lying? Given your usual grades and your behavior at home, your scores couldn’t possibly improve this much. Plus, you had a clear motive to cheat! Quickly admit your mistake so the school might reduce your punishment to a warning.”
Lila laughed coldly. “Can these be considered evidence that I cheated?”
Finn stood up angrily. “Lila, look at what you’ve become!”
Seeing Finn about to take action, the teacher quickly intervened. “Speak calmly to the child.”
Finn, frustrated, said to the teacher, “I apologize. Lila cheated because she’s being at odds with the family. Let’s do as we discussed-have her write a letter of apology and publicly acknowledge her mistake in front of the school. Let’s not give her a disciplinary record.”
The teacher sighed. “That works. Hopefully, Lila will learn from this.”
After all, she was about to graduate, and a disciplinary record wouldn’t look good.
Lila looked down at the floor, her already cold heart sinking further.
They had determined her guilt with just a few words, and no one believed her.
“Lila, you’ve completely embarrassed the Landon family. How could we have such a morally corrupt sister? I’m ashamed to even talk about it!”
“Do you think I want to be your family’s sister?”
Lila’s features were delicate, her gaze dark and cold.
She didn’t care anymore.
“Lila, say that again if you dare!”
Finn looked at her with fury, his expression ashen.
“Parents shouldn’t be so fierce-you’ll scare the child.”
An elderly man entered, looking kindly.
The teacher quickly said, “Principal, why are you here?”
“I heard a senior student has made great progress but is being accused of cheating. It’s causing quite a stir, so I came to see what’s happening.”
Finn said impatiently, “Principal, there’s no need to investigate. Lila cheated to get good results. If she won’t apologize, just give her the disciplinary action.”
Indeed, Lila needed to be taught a lesson.
He had just pleaded with the teacher and said many good things to avoid disciplinary action, but Lila wouldn’t accept it.
Fine then, he wouldn’t do anything more for Lila.
She didn’t appreciate it anyway.
The principal looked kindly at Lila. “Girl, there’s actually a simple way to verify whether you cheated. We can give you another set of questions to complete under our supervision. Are you willing to accept this test?”
Lila looked at the principal. “I accept, but I have one condition. If it’s proven I didn’t cheat, shouldn’t those who falsely accused me apologize publicly?”
Finn laughed coldly. “Fine, let’s see what kind of score you can get!”
Soon, the teacher handed Lila a set of questions. “I’ll time you.”
Lila sat down, took the pen, and began working on the test.
The office was quiet, with everyone watching Lila.
The teacher stood closest and was surprised to see Lila’s process for solving math problems. These questions were much harder than the monthly exam, yet Lila was getting most of them right!
Time passed minute by minute.
Sylvia, curious about what was happening in the office, came by and saw Lila taking a test. She immediately had a bad feeling.
She walked directly to Finn’s side. “Finn, what are you doing? Is Lila retaking the test?”
Finn snorted. “That’s right. She refuses to admit she cheated, so we’ll let her lose fair and square.”
Sylvia immediately went to Lila’s side. “Lila, don’t be stubborn. We all believe in you. Don’t force yourself.”
Lila didn’t respond or acknowledge Sylvia, refusing to let this woman disrupt her rhythm.
Seeing no effect on Lila, Sylvia bit her lip and looked at Finn. “Finn, Lila is still angry with me.”
Finn immediately became angry. “Lila, Sylvia is talking to you. Can’t you hear?”
Lila looked up. “I’m taking a test. Can’t you see?”
Finn was momentarily speechless. “Sylvia is giving you a way out. Take it quickly before you embarrass yourself!”
“Sylvia, please don’t disturb Lila while she’s taking the test. Whatever you have to say can wait until she’s finished.”
The teacher couldn’t stand by any longer. He had clearly seen that Lila was doing well on the test, suggesting she hadn’t cheated after all.
Sylvia was reluctant but pretended to be obedient. “Teacher, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
But she just didn’t want Lila to prove her abilities.
She couldn’t accept that Lila was better than her, nor would she allow it to happen.
Sylvia stood to the side watching, doubtful: Surely Lila can’t do well on this test.
But seeing Lila’s recent changes, she felt an inexplicable uneasiness.
The test time ended.
The teacher took the paper and quickly graded it with other teachers.
Lila sat in her chair, feeling remarkably calm.
Even seeing Sylvia standing beside Finn, she no longer felt much emotional turmoil.
Indeed, when you don’t care, you can’t be hurt.
The teacher excitedly announced, “The results are out.”
Sylvia looked over, her heart full of malice, hoping Lila had done poorly.
Finn spoke coldly, “Teacher, if she did badly, don’t bother saying it. It’s embarrassing.”
“No, Lila did very well! And these questions were even more difficult than the monthly exam. Her performance is actually better than on the monthly exam!”
When Lila heard this result, her anxious heart finally settled.
She pressed her lips together, revealing a slight smile.
Finn’s expression crumbled as he took the test paper and looked at it. The score didn’t lie.
Lila had indeed done very well.
Sylvia stood on tiptoe and also saw the test score, instantly consumed with jealousy. When had Lila become so capable?
This wasn’t possible!
The elderly principal smiled. “The truth is clear. Lila achieved this great progress through her own efforts.”
The teacher nodded. “Lila has indeed been working very hard lately.”
Finn’s expression shifted like a kaleidoscope before he finally put the paper back on the desk. He hadn’t expected that Lila truly hadn’t cheated.
At this moment, he suddenly felt that the Lila before him was somewhat unfamiliar.
The principal coughed gently. “Now that the truth is clear, those who falsely accused Lila should apologize.”
Sylvia’s face quickly turned embarrassed.