Chapter 13-1

Chapter 13-1

Ryan watched Elara’s uncharacteristic enthusiasm with knowing amusement. "Just wait," he murmured, clearly privy to something his colleagues weren’t.

The other professors initially dismissed Elara’s excitement. ’Probably just a math whiz, they assumed -until Danielle finished every remaining exam in just thirty minutes.

They’d always flaunted Moreno’s elite status. ’How the hell could someone who hasn’t even bothered with the SATs be this good?’ they thought, convinced the math score had to be some kind of fluke. But as Danielle walked up, papers in hand, their doubt started to crack.

"You’re finished with everything?" Elara couldn’t hide her delight.

"Yes," Danielle said simply, as if completing several hours’ worth of tests in minutes was perfectly ordinary.

The other professors’ skepticism transformed into stunned admiration as they graded. The literature professor’s eyes widened. "Perfect score-this essay is publication-worthy!"

"Impeccable composition," the language professor declared. "This sets a new departmental standard."

The design professor, notorious for never being satisfied, actually smiled. "This work... the innovation, the technical precision. It exceeds professional quality. Your natural talent is extraordinary."

"Mr. and Mrs. Darling, Danielle completed all exams in forty minutes with perfect scores across the board," Ryan informed her parents.

Howard and Vivian stood frozen for a moment, then broke into delighted smiles. They’d spent the whole time preparing consoling speeches, even rehearsing exactly how to comfort her if she struggled. This outcome hadn’t even crossed their minds.

They rushed to the examination room with Danielle, leaving Audrey behind, alone with her thoughts. Something wasn’t sitting right. How the hell could someone from nowhere, with no resources to speak of, pull this off?’ Audrey wondered.

She’d always been at the top of her class, but even she had never nailed perfect scores across the board.

"Sweetheart, you’re incredible! Perfect scores!" Vivian hugged Danielle tightly.

"That’s my girl! We need to celebrate this." Howard beamed with pride.

Audrey entered to find her parents lavishing praise on Danielle. ’It’s just an entrance test, she thought bitterly. ’When I aced my SATs, they weren’t nearly this excited. But I guess their real daughter gets special treatment.

"Mom, Dad, Audrey began, biting her lip with feigned concern. "I don’t mean to be rude, but... growing up where she did, with such limited education-how did she manage perfect scores? Maybe she had... help with the answers?"

She lowered her eyes demurely. "I’m sorry, Danielle, I don’t mean to accuse you. It’s just that we Darlings pride ourselves on integrity."

The professors stared at Audrey as if she’d lost her mind. This star student of theirs was actually suggesting that her sister had cheated-and by extension, that they had compromised their own academic integrity.

Before Danielle could respond, Ryan stepped forward.

"Are you questioning this institution’s integrity?" His voice could have frozen lava. "These tests were created minutes ago, under our direct supervision."