Chapter 329 The Wrong Kind of Spotlight
“She’s got a clear plan. I wonder which college she wants to apply to–I’d actually love to be her advisor someday.”
“Let’s not jump the gun. Sure, she did great in the language section, but what if she’s bad at other subjects?”
True enough. There were still plenty of exams ahead. What if they bet on the wrong horse?
The bell signaling the end of the test rang. Yunice calmly spread her hands, letting the proctor collect her test sheet and answer card.
As she stepped out of the testing room, the other students inside were all staring at her.
Yunice knew–even if she hadn’t cheated, she was still going to be caught up in the drama, the center of attention for both students and teachers.
This was exactly Lily’s trap.
Even if she wasn’t actually brought down by the accusation, most people would have their mindset completely wrecked after something like this. They’d fall apart and tank the rest of their exams.
But Yunice’s mental strength had long since been forged through fire. A few looks or passing whispers from strangers wouldn’t make her lose sleep or spiral into anxiety.
The SAT was always under the constant watch of parents and the media. Yunice figured that if someone had reported her, the news must have already made its way to both groups.
Whether she cheated or not, the second she walked out, she’d be surrounded and interrogated.
She pulled on a face mask, kept her head down, and blended into the crowd, trying to slip away unnoticed.
Wyatt had just gotten out of the car. He was holding a bouquet. With his height, he could easily see the tops of heads coming out of the school gate.
He had expected Yunice to come bouncing out, bright and sunny. What he didn’t expect was to see someone slinking around like a thief.
Wyatt paused for a second, then tossed the bouquet into the arms of a grinning Jordan and turned to open the car door, pulling out a black umbrella.
Jordan didn’t even have time to react before he saw Wyatt step into the crowd.
Then, with precision, Wyatt picked someone out from the sea of students and stopped to open the umbrella.
The sunlight above Yunice dimmed. Her heart seized for a moment–she thought someone had grabbed her.
But when she looked up and saw Wyatt’s face, the panic in her eyes instantly disappeared.
Wyatt caught that flicker of fear. He knew something had definitely happened.
He shielded her with the umbrella and said, “Come with me.”
Yunice couldn’t see the road ahead. She hooked her arm through his, trusting him completely as he led her to the car.
Wyatt stayed outside to fold up the umbrella. Several camera flashes went off as photographers snapped away.
Plenty of media outlets and internet personalities had gathered outside, all trying to piggyback on SAT coverage. A guy like Wyatt–clean-cut, well-dressed, and carrying flowers–was just as eye-catching as the first top-scoring student to walk out. Of course, they snapped pictures.
Some even speculated who he might be picking up. Maybe a rich heiress who just finished the SAT?
But Wyatt stood firmly in front of the car door, blocking any view inside. No one could get a shot of the passenger.
Wyatt got in the car and handed Yunice a bottle of water.
Once she drank, he asked, “What happened?”
Yunice told him about the investigation that happened during the exam.
Wyatt’s face darkened, angry at himself.
Something like that had happened–and he hadn’t even known.
Yunice said, “I was really worried you’d get involved.”
“If you showed up, then it would’ve been impossible to clear my name.”
People would’ve said she had powerful backing.
Wyatt’s eyes were like ink. He might not have jurisdiction over the school, but there were people he could deal with.
When it came to Yunice’s exams, he cared more than she did.
He was afraid she’d eat something that upset her stomach, so every meal he’d prepared had been triple-checked.
By the afternoon session, even more media had gathered outside.
Wyatt’s car hadn’t moved an inch.
Because Yunice’s photo had already been leaked online.
Angry parents, not satisfied with the lack of an official statement on the alleged cheater, suspected a cover-up and tried to use public pressure to force a response.
Wyatt saw the false accusation video and his face went grim.
Jordan asked, “Want me to have PR pull the trending tag?”
Wyatt remembered what Yunice had said—she didn’t want him involved. “Leave it.”
Let it burn.
At the same time, the inspection team also saw the video. They were furious.
“These netizens act like it’s all a show. Do they think we’re clowns?”
“If this keeps going, it won’t just affect Yunice’s future–it’s a slap in the face to the SAT’s integrity.”
“Get legal on this. Start gathering evidence and make a few examples apologize publicly. We’ve got full surveillance from her entire exam session. I don’t believe we can’t shut them up.”
But the clarification had to wait until after the SAT.
At most, a day.
That afternoon, Yunice finished her math test. She didn’t dare hand it in early.
Leaving early would make her stand out. She’d be too easy to target.
She waited until the final bell, then slipped into the crowd to leave.
The math test was brutally hard. Students poured out of the exam rooms in total collapse.
Some were crying uncontrollably. Others looked completely defeated. It was like a battlefield of emotional wreckage.
Yunice felt eyes on her. She instinctively ducked her face.
It was definitely a guy. He was strong. As Yunice was pulled away, all she could grab was the collar of his shirt.
There were too many students. Too much chaos. Even if someone saw her being dragged, they’d probably just think it was kids messing around.
Besides, Yunice spotted people actively helping to cover for him.
In no time, she was dragged into the men’s bathroom.