Limone had been telling herself not to care. Sophie could only resort to cheap tricks, even dragging Sixon to the school. In the end, it would likely result in her grades being nullified.

But when she heard Charles ask about her results, a pang of hurt broke through her resolve.

Before she could reply, someone called out to her from nearby, “Limone, the class advisor wants to see you in their office.”

She pressed her lips together. “I’ll head there now. We’ll talk later.”

After hanging up the phone, she walked straight to the advisor's office. As soon as she stepped inside, she noticed Sixon was already there, his expression grim. The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Sixon didn’t waste time. “Limone,” he began, his voice cold, “I never thought you’d stoop so low. Cheating to win? Do you even understand the consequences of what you’ve done?”

Limone wasn’t surprised. She had known all along that Sixon wouldn’t believe her.

Her gaze was steady, her eyes clear. “I didn’t cheat.”

She wouldn’t admit to something she hadn’t done.

“Stop lying, Limone. The facts are right in front of us. Think about your usual performance, about how you behave at home. There’s no way your scores could’ve improved this much overnight. And you had every reason to cheat! Just admit it. Own up to your mistake so the school might spare you from formal disciplinary action.”

Limone let out a short, bitter laugh. “Are baseless assumptions your idea of evidence to prove I cheated?”

Furious, Sixon rose from his chair. “Look at yourself! What have you become?”

The class advisor quickly stepped between them. “Please, Mr. Lane, let’s not escalate this. She’s just a kid.”

Sixon, barely containing his anger, addressed the advisor. “Apologies. Her cheating is clearly just her way of acting out against our family. Let’s do as I said earlier—have her write a formal apology and deliver it publicly to the entire school. In that case, let’s skip giving her a disciplinary record.”

The advisor sighed. “All right. Hopefully, Limone can turn things around.”

Graduation was near, and a black mark on her record would follow her for life.

Limone stared at the cold, tile floor, the weight in her chest growing heavier. In just a few words, they had branded her guilty—no one had even thought to believe her.

“Limone,” Sixon spat, “you’ve disgraced the entire Lane family. How did I end up with such a morally bankrupt sister? It’s embarrassing to even admit we’re related!”

Limone's face remained pale but resolute, her dark eyes cutting like ice. "You think I want to be part of the Lane family?"

Sixon's face darkened, fury unmistakable in his eyes. “Say that again. I dare you.”

Before the tension could boil over, a calm voice interrupted, “Now, now, let’s not scare the child.”

A small, elderly man entered the room, his face kind and wise.

“Principal,” the advisor greeted, stiffening slightly. “What brings you here?”

“I heard there’s a senior student whose remarkable improvement has sparked accusations of cheating.” His tone was measured, almost amused. “Seemed like quite the incident, so I came to see for myself.”

Sixon snapped, “There’s nothing worth investigating. It’s clear Limone cheated. If she doesn’t confess and apologize, she should face the appropriate consequences.”

He had begged the advisor to avoid harsher penalties, but if Limone insisted on denying everything, then so be it. He wouldn’t fight for her any longer.

The principal regarded Limone with gentle curiosity. “Young lady, there’s a very simple way to clear this up. Take another test, here and now, under our supervision. Are you willing to prove yourself?”

Limone met his gaze without hesitation. “I’m willing, but on one condition. If I prove I didn’t cheat, the people who accused me owe me a public apology.”

Sixon sneered. “Fine. Let’s see what you can do.”

The advisor handed her a fresh test paper. “I’ll time you.”

Limone sat down, took the pen in hand, and began. The office fell silent, all eyes on her.

The advisor, closest to her, caught a glimpse of her work. With each problem she solved, his surprise grew. This test was significantly harder than their monthly exams, yet her answers were precise and confident.

Minutes ticked by.

Outside, Sophie lingered, curious—and uneasy. When she peeked into the office and saw Limone working through the test, an ominous feeling crept over her.

She marched over to Sixon and hissed, “What’s going on? Are you having her redo a test?”

Sixon scoffed. “That’s right. She refuses to admit she cheated, so we’ll make sure she loses any remaining excuses.”

Sophie’s voice turned gentle, almost pleading. “Limone, don’t punish yourself like this. We all believe you—there’s no need to push yourself so hard.”

Limone ignored her entirely, her focus unshaken. Sophie bit her lip and turned to Sixon. “She’s still angry with me.”

Sixon growled, “Limone, Sophie’s speaking to you. Can’t you hear?”

Finally, Limone looked up. “I’m taking a test. Don’t you see?”

Sixon felt his chest tighten. “Sophie’s offering you a way to save face, and you’re not even grateful! You’ll regret this humiliation later.”

The advisor intervened. “Mr. Lane, please let her finish the test before we continue this discussion.” In truth, he had already seen enough to feel convinced—Limone likely hadn’t cheated.

Sophie forced a smile but clenched her fists at her sides. "Of course, I didn’t mean to interrupt."

Inside, her resentment boiled. She couldn’t stand the idea of Limone proving her worth—not after all she’d done to tear her down. Limone couldn’t possibly outshine her. It wasn’t right.

The clock struck its final second, and Limone set down her pen.

The advisor collected the paper, enlisting other teachers to review it. Limone leaned back in her chair, surprisingly calm. Even as Sophie hovered possessively near Sixon, she felt no sting. Without care, there was no wound to inflict.

The advisor's voice broke the silence, trembling just slightly. “The results are in.”

Sophie’s stomach flipped. She hoped, prayed, that Limone had failed spectacularly.

Sixon growled, “If the score’s pathetic, spare us the embarrassment.”

“No,” the advisor said firmly. “Limone scored extraordinarily well. In fact, this test was harder than the monthly exam, and yet she surpassed her previous performance!”

A weight lifted from Limone’s chest. A faint smile played on her lips.

Sixon’s expression faltered. Grabbing the test paper, he scanned it for himself. The numbers didn’t lie. Limone’s answers were impeccable.

Sophie craned her neck to see, and when the score came into focus, her stomach sank. A hot, bitter jealousy churned in her chest. When had Limone become so… formidable? It felt impossible.

The principal chuckled kindly. “The truth is clear: Limone’s success is a result of her own effort, nothing more.”

The advisor nodded. “She really has been working diligently.”

Sixon’s face was a storm of emotions—shock, confusion, reluctant acceptance. Setting the paper back onto the desk, he glanced at Limone, as if seeing her for the first time. What had changed?

The principal cleared his throat. “Now that the matter is resolved, those who falsely accused Limone owe her an apology.”

Sophie’s face burned with embarrassment. The room turned expectantly toward her.