Chapter 30 Framed by Shadows
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+8 Pearls
Jesse sat near the window, sunlight flooding her desk and warming her test paper. Her concentration was intense, and everything else faded away, leaving only her and the questions. before her.
When the paper landed on her desk, she skimmed it quickly. A soft breath escaped her lips. Good. I’ve practiced all of these. This is mine to win.
Her pen glided over the page, each stroke steady and confident.
Midway, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder as a folded note slipped onto her desk.
Her initial instinct was to turn back, but she restrained herself.
The exam invigilator’s footsteps creaked nearby. He caught sight of the scene, frowned, and warned, “Keep your eyes on your paper.”
“Yes, sir.” Jesse dipped her head politely and carried on, letting the interruption slide away.
The room buzzed with tension. Someone stood to hand in their paper early, chairs scraping against the floor.
Jesse didn’t flinch. Her pen kept moving until the final bell rang.
She dropped her paper off and slipped out, a faint smile breaking through. Dinner with Lyman after this… feels like something to look forward to. Her chest loosened with an unfamiliar warmth.
She was just about to leave the building when a classmate jogged up to her. “Jesse! The department chair’s looking for you. Said it’s urgent.”
Her brows knitted. “Did he say why?”
“No, he didn’t say,” the classmate replied. “Just told me to grab you.”
“Got it.” She checked the time, fingers flying over her phone. ‘Something came up. I’ll be late!‘
Lyman’s reply popped up instantly. ‘What’s wrong?‘
‘Nothing serious. Got called in by the department chair,‘ she sent back, sliding her phone away as she walked down the hall.
The corridor was alive with footsteps and conversations when she unexpectedly came face–to- face with Taylor.
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Chapter 30 Framed by Shadows
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+8 Pearls
“Well, well. Where are you rushing off to, Jesse?” Taylor’s smile looked sugar–sweet, though her eyes gleamed with venom.
Jesse frowned. She stepped to the side, only for Taylor’s sidekick to block her path.
“What’s your deal?” Jesse’s fists clenched tight at her sides.
The girl tilted her chin, her tone dripping with scorn. “Seriously? Pulling cheap tricks just to win a bet? Five million? Like you even have that kind of money.”
Jesse stopped in her tracks, brows knitting tight. Her icy gaze pinned the girl in place. “What the hell are you on about?”
“Tsk. Still pretending, huh?” the girl mocked.
Jesse’s eyes flicked toward Taylor, who masked her laugh with her hand, her tone sweet but her eyes flashing with disdain. “Come on. You know exactly what I mean.”
Just then, the office door ahead banged open.
“Jesse,” the counselor called sharply.
Ignoring Taylor’s smirk, Jesse brushed past them and walked inside.
The atmosphere in the office was suffocating. A nervous–looking boy stood by the desk, shifting on his feet.
Billy Hardin, the department chair, had a face dark with fury. He snapped at the nearby counselor, “This is your idea of discipline? Poor performance is one thing, but cheating? Absolutely disgraceful.”
Jesse thought he was talking about the boy–until Billy’s eyes snapped to her. “Jesse Spencer!”
Her body went rigid. She tore her gaze from the boy and met Billy’s glare head–on.
Meanwhile, the boy stepped back instinctively.
Billy barked, “Why are you looking at him? I’m talking to you, Jesse Spencer.”
“I don’t understand,” Jesse spoke calmly, refusing to drop her gaze.
“You don’t?” He teased sharply, laughing harshly as he threw his phone onto the desk. “When Fred Dulham passed you a note during the exam, you weren’t confused then.”
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Chapter 30 Framed by Shadows
The boy recoiled even more, dread evident on his face.
Jesse’s eyes sharpened as she looked at him. “Who are you?”
“Still acting clueless?” Billy’s hand shot out, knocking his mug to the floor.
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It shattered on impact, shards slicing across her leg. Blood seeped through the thin fabric of her leggings.
“You were ordinary, sure, but at least you weren’t a disgrace. Look at yourself now.” His tone cut like a blade. “Parading around in that outfit–what are you after, attention? One glance and you’re ready to throw yourself at whoever gives it.”
Jesse’s icy stare intensified as she spoke sharply, “As a department chair, you should be more respectful in your interactions with students. Besides, you certainly have no right to involve those close to me in your insults.”
She could handle their barbs aimed at her. Dragging Lyman into it was unforgivable.
The noise drew attention from the hallway. Students slowed down, whispering as they peeked through the doorway.
Leaning against the wall outside, Taylor’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk. Even if they can’t prove a thing, this scene’s enough. By tonight, every hallway whisper will brand her a cheater.
