Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, inside a ck sports car, Salma sat rigidly in the back seat, her hands ced nervously on her knees. In all her life, she had never been in such an expensive vehicle and was terrified of breaking something, so she barely dared to move.


    “Juniper must have caused a lot of trouble for the school recently," Shanley said, turning his head. The cold aura around him dissipated as he spoke to her with utmost respect. "On behalf of her and her family, thank you."


    "You''re too kind, Mr. Schwartz,” Salma replied, still tense. “I should be the one thanking you. You were a great help with those documents."


    When Mr. Schwartz had called about Juniper, he had learned she was out dealing with a work issue and had encountered some bureaucratic hurdles. He had personally intervened, resolving in under two minutes a problem she had been struggling with for two weeks.


    "I heard there was an issue with cheating on this recent quiz..." Shanley began, his voice calm and even, yet it carried an unnerving weight. "I find that hard to believe."


    He knew Juniper well. She had money, talent... and was usually aszy as a kitten, preferring not to lift a finger. She wouldn''t, and more importantly, wouldn''t deign to do something like that.


    "It''s likely a misunderstanding," Salma agreed with a nod, her own expression troubled. She had known Juniper since she''d enrolled. The girl was polite, talented, and possessed a strong sense of justice. She still remembered her performance at the g and how she had stood up for her ssmates. It just didn''t fit the profile of someone who would do something so foolish.


    “Rest assured, Mr. Schwartz, I will investigate this thoroughly and ensure no one wrongfully uses her,” Salma promised, her nerves on high alert. The Dean was a strict, upright man who couldn''t tolerate any misconduct. His crackdown on "cheating" came from a ce of concern for the school, but his direct personality and short temper often made him speak without thinking. She hoped Juniper hadn''t been too frightened by him.


    "Thank you for your trouble, Salma," Shanley said with a slight, elegant nod.


    Salma managed a small smile, her gaze sweeping over the man''s face. He exuded an air of nobility, like a god descended to earth. Mr. Schwartz? What was


    rtionship


    to the Schwartz family, the wealthiest family in Borealia? She had a feeling Juniper''s "distant brother" was someone far more significant than he let on.


    Back at Aurora High School, inside the Dean''s office, the senior year teachers sat


    on the sofa, their expressions serious as they watched Juniper at the desk.


    "We''ll give you a little extra time for the literature exam, say, two hours. For the math..." the Dean began kindly as he handed her the papers.


    "No need." Before he could finish, the girl, who was unscrewing her pen cap, cut him off calmly. "Let''s stick to the rules. I''ll take the same amount of time I took before."


    If she was going to prove her innocence, she would do it so thoroughly that no one would ever doubt her again. She didn''t have the energy to go through this another time.


    Hearing her audacious words, the other teachers exchanged nces, muttering among themselves. She certainly acted like a genius. They just weren''t sure if it was confidence or a desperate bluff.


    "Don''t say didn''t warn you," the


    Dean said, cing the exams down and retreating to the sofa. "The clock


    is starting. You may begin. If you want to give up at any point just say So


    Juniper merely smiled faintly and, without another word, picked up her I began to write.


    The room fell


    ell silent, with more than


    a dozen pairs of eyes fixed on her, a mixture of doubt and anticipation in the gaze she failed, she wou probably be expelled. But if she really did get a perfect score. wouldn''t that make their school famous?


    pen and