At Alice''s statement, Chloe''s face paled."Li Hong admitted it. Even if she were here, it wouldn''t change anything." Li Hong hadn''t wanted to take the me, so Chloe bribed her parents to testify.


    Li Hong''s parents nodded. It''s all our daughter''s fault. We''ll ept the punishment, but don''t involve Miss Chloe." A deadbeat kid; the money from the Winds would be enough for her brother''s education.


    The teacher hesitated. “No, Li Hong needs toe to school."


    Chloe''s face hardened. Damn it, everything was nned, and Alice had ruined it.


    Ethan looked at the reacher."Can 1 speak with the principal privately?"


    The teacher agreed. Ethan looked at Chloe. Don''t worry. I believe you''re innocent." Chloe put on an innocent smile and watched them leave.


    Alice sneered."Whether Li Hong admits it or not, you still cheated." Chloe would still be punished. and her score canceled.


    Chloe gritted her teeth. It doesn''t matter. Brother believes me. We have money; I can still go to college!


    Alice didn''t bother arguing and left.


    Chloe felt uneasy. "Did Li Hong really agree to confess?"


    “She didn''t, but I told her off. Her parents will take the me. Don''t forget your promise "I''ll pay you as long as Li Hong keeps quiet." Chloe was still worried. If Li Hong talked, her position in the Winds would be untenable. A strange message popped up: I found Li Hong. She''ll keep quiet! Nothing will stop our dear daughter!" Chloe''s face went pale. She called back but it was an unknown number. As long as Li Hong kept quiet... Dayster, Alice submitted her college application. But a news article from her ssmate shocked her: "Goddess, did you know Li Hong is dead?"


    Dead?


    The article described a hiker discovering a body; a high school student who''d allegedlymitted suicide after cheating on the Gaokao,


    Alice felt heavy. Suicide? Li Hong was thick-skinned; even expulsion wouldn''t drive her to suicide.


    Her ssmate, Jiang Lu, continued, "Chloe was also involved. Because Li Hong died, the school might lessen Chloe''s punishment to prevent another suicide."


    "Chloe wouldn''t kill herself. Alice knew her well. But this was tooplicated. She never expected Li Hong to die! Had Chloe hired someone? Had the Winds done it?


    She didn''t know the truth, but Li Hong''s death wasn''t simple. The police had ruled it a suicide. Then, Jack called. "Anything?"


    "Free tonight?"


    "Yes."


    "Wear a nice dress. I''ll pick you up.”


    Alice''s heart quickened. “Where?"


    "You''ll see."


    She started overthinking but quicklyposed herself. Jack never joked. A nice dress meant. something important.


    Alice washed her hair, changed her clothes, and felt anxious.


    "Come down."


    Jack was waiting by his car, in a ck suit, his hair perfectly styled.


    Alice was nervous. “Where are we going?”


    “An important event."


    He opened the passenger door. She secretly nced at him, guessing their destination. They arrived at a convention center. Alice recognized the ce: The City''s Outstanding Youth Awards Ceremony!


    In her past life, Luke had won the award. He''d brought Chloe.


    Entering the hall, a staff member approached. “You''re Alice, the valedictorian? Pleasee with me. You''ll be giving a speech."


    Alice looked at Jack


    His tone was gentle.“Your gameunch was sessful, and you''re the valedictorian. You''re a candidate for Outstanding Youth. This will help your future."


    She knew the award''s significance. In her past life, Luke had used this award to secure investment.


    If she started her own esports team or business, this award would be invaluable.


    Alice went to the preparation room.


    “Alice, what are you doing here?”


    Alice


    Ethan and saw


    Luke. She ignored them and prepared her speech.


    Ethan was furious at her cold demeanor. “You think being valedictorian and going to Harvard University makes you invincible?"


    “Brother, let it be. Alice''s probably here for the event.”


    "What right does she have? She hasn''t contributed anything! Just good grades!" Ethan felt his authority challenged.


    Alice sneered. "Whether I''m qualified is none of your business."


    She left the room.


    Ethan was furious."You still defend her."


    "Brother, Alice is excellent. If she wins, it''s good for the family. Why not praise her?" Luke couldn''t understand Ethan''s hostility. He finally understood Luke''s feelings-he''d done the same


    thing. No wonder Alice resented them.


    "She won''t win. A little girl thinks she''s so clever?" Ethan sat down, ready to see Alice fail. But she was in the front row, with a man in a suit. The back of the man looked familiar. "Who''s that man with Alice?"