Chapter 36 Almost everyone turned to look at Alice. Chloeâs expression was particularly tense as she jumped in first:âAlice, remember when Lucy and the others accused you of cheating on your grades? You should understand my situation right now. I know youâve never liked me, but weâre family!â Seeing Chloe so anxious made Alice realize that even she had her moments of fear. She replied. coolly, âI seem to recall that Chloe did indeed turn around. She was just stating the facts. Chloeâs eyes instantly turned red with anger:âAlice, how can you say that? Just a moment ago, you said Lucy was lying!â
Minion #2 agreed.âExactly! We all heard it, Alice. Why does your story keep changing? Who can believe you now?â
Alice said slowly, âI hadnât thought about it carefully. I just suddenly remembered.â Chloe was about to explode with frustration.
She looked up at the homeroom teacher with a pitiful expression: âI really didnât cheat! I turned around because I heard Lucy calling me, and she slipped the note into my desk when I wasnât paying attention. I had no idea!â The homeroom teacher, who initially leaned towards Chloe, recalled how Alice had been falsely accused of cheating before and started to doubt Chloeâs character.
ny office.â
The teacher said, âChloe, Lucy, you both need to come to my Alice sat at her desk while everyone around her discussed the cheating incident. She opened her textbook to check her answers, wondering how many points she could score! Not long after, the class monitor arrived.âThe teacher wants you in her office Alice anticipated this. She went to the office but noticed Minion #1 was missing, but Noah was there. Of course, eyes, Chloe looked at her:âAlice, do you hate me that much? What do I have to do for you to forgive me?â
Alice anticipated would bring in reinforcements. With red Alice answered calmly, âIâm just stating what I saw. If I wanted to get you in trouble, Iâd say I saw you cheat!â
Chloeâs face flushed.
Noah couldnât take it anymore and scolded Alice. âSpeak properly! Chloeâs family. In situations like this, I thought youâd know what to do!â
Alice looked at him.âWhat do you want me to do, Noah? Say I saw nothing? Fine. I didnât see Chloe turn around.â
Noah felt a headache coming on; why couldnât she understand his point?
The teacher coughed. âI understand the situation. Chloe, you were also wrong. Donât let others do your homework, and donât cheat during exams.â
Noah explained, âTeacher, Chloe had someone else do her homework because family issues took up her time. I can vouch for that.â Helping a classmate with homework is a minor issue, especially since Chloe had her reasons.
Chloe looked particularly wronged: âNoah, I didnât know Lucy was trying to frame me. I only mentioned that she borrowed my money, and I didnât expect her to think like that.â
âChloe, youâre kind and help others, but there are limits to kindness.â Noah believed she was framed.
2 Chapter The teacher said, âWeâll discuss how to handle this matter. You all can return to class for now.â
Alice turned to leave. Noah chased after her Alice, how could you testify that you saw Chloe turn around? What if the teacher really thinks she cheated and punishes her? Did you think about the consequences?â
Alice stopped. âIf Chloe cheated and blamed Lucy, did you think about Lucyâs consequences?â âImpossible, Chloe wouldnât do that.â Noah immediately denied it.
Alice scoffed; there was no point in answering.
âAlice, I know you feel wronged and think we favor Chloe. Itâs because her father saved your life. Plus, sheâs always been wellâ
behaved. Whatâs wrong with us treating her a bit better? If you want to blame someone, blame me, donât drag Chloe into this!â
Alice was speechless, her temples throbbing.
With a sarcastic smile, she said, I blame myself, okay?â Blaming herself for being blind and not seeing through this soâcalled family bond sooner!
She stormed into the classroom. Noah stood outside, feeling helpless. He wanted to mend things. with Alice, but she seemed to reject him at every turn! How could he make her understand that his strictness was because she was his real sister? But Chloe wasnât, so he didnât have high expectations for her. This wasnât favoritism!
Chloe approached.âNoah, Iâm sorry. Maybe I should move out, so Alice wonât be angry. I donât want to see you two siblingsâ
relationship suffer because of me.â
Noah forced a smile. D be silly, itâs not your fault. Youâre my sister, always.â
Chloe smiled through her tears. âThen itâs a deal!â
Noah looked at Chloe, wishing Alice were as understanding as her.âFocus on your studies, donât let others do your homework.â
Chloeâs expression faltered. âI know I was wrong.â
âAs long as you acknowledge your mistakes, thatâs enough.â He was pleased with Chloeâs attitude. and wished Alice could be the same.
Alice returned to her classroom, seeing Minion #Iâs empty seat. But she felt no sympathy. A few days later, the school announced the cheating incident, and Lucy received a warning. Chloe. was also publicly reprimanded by the homeroom teacher. After the teacher finished, she pulled out the report cards: âThe results are in, and I want to especially commend Alice for her significant improvement, ranking tenth in this exam. Everyone should learn from her; a final push can really boost your grades.â
The classroom erupted in chatter.
âAliceâs amazing at studying and gaming!â
âI want to go to the same university as her!â
âHow does she manage to excel in both gaming and studying?â
Seeing her results, Alice smiled with satisfaction.
Did this mean she had a chance to get into Harvard University?
The homeroom teacher smiled at Alice: âWhy donât you share your tips for improvement so everyone can learn from you?â Alice had indeed performed well lately and had done great on the 10 1 Chapter 36 exam.
She stood up, feeling a bit nervous for the first time:âThe reason Iâve improved so much is that I realized I need to live for myself, so Iâve been staying up late every night to practice problems.â Living for herself, no longer sacrificing for soâcalled family. In her past life, sheâd only moved. herself.
Chloe, seeing Aliceâs success, was consumed by jealousy. Why did this brat get to do so well? She crumpled her test paper in frustration. This was all Lucyâs fault for getting caught cheating; otherwise, her grades would have definitely improved.
After lunch, Alice found several love letters on her desk. Surprised, she looked at the class monitor. âAlice, youâre popular now!
The gaming goddess and top student, even the heartthrob. from the private high school next door is trying to get your contact info!â
The heartthrob? Wasnât he Chloeâs crush?