Chapter 3

Ms. Peyton was stunned. The current me was completely different from the me she knew.

She never expected I'd be so serious about this -- not only showing no shame but practically wanting the whole world to know.

"Dear Ivy League admissions officers, I believe Ms. Peyton's words. She must not be joking!"

"But I truly don't remember any of this. I definitely wasn't there willingly. With Ms. Peyton here, she can definitely find the culprit and clear my name!"

I gripped Ms. Peyton's hand tightly, speaking earnestly.

She recoiled in disgust and immediately shook me off. "You -- what nonsense are you spouting, child?"

"How shameless can you be? Tell the truth. A month ago, did you or did you not check into the hotel by the school gate?"

"And you weren't the only one who checked in! Admissions officers, if you don't believe me, you can check the registration records. I swear on my twenty years as a teacher!"

At those words, all the admissions officers' gazes fell on me like countless knives.

"Miss Lynn, did you really use despicable means to get the SAT answers and score so high?"

"No wonder she scored more than ten points higher than second place. In twenty years, no one has scored this high. So that's how..."

The fruit platter in my mom's hands fell to the floor, fruit scattering everywhere.

She looked at me with tears in her eyes, her voice filled with anger and shock.

"Jenna, tell your mother. Is what Ms. Peyton said true? Did you go to a hotel?"

"Did you -- did you really use those methods to get your grades today? Say something! Are you trying to kill your mother?"

"Your father and I poured everything into raising you. How could we have raised a daughter like you?"

Ms. Peyton looked at me triumphantly, a smug smile on her lips.

I suddenly remembered that before the SAT, I did go to the school hotel. Dylan Cooper had asked me to meet him there.

But as soon as I entered and went upstairs, I sensed something was wrong and left through the back door.

Only now did I understand -- this was a trap set by Ms. Peyton and my classmate, Dylan Cooper.

She was determined to have Dylan Cooper take my perfect SAT score.

After all, the school's reward for the top student was a full hundred thousand dollars!

To achieve her goal, she was willing to stake her twenty years of teaching reputation.

Ms. Peyton knew exactly how to manipulate teachers and parents. She understood that the truth didn't matter -- public opinion was enough to crush a person.

Once the admissions officers left, they would spread the news.

And then what awaited me would be slut-shaming.

In this life, not only would I be unable to attend college, I'd even repeat the tragic fate of my past life.

"I did go." Three words slowly left my mouth.

My mom nearly fainted from anger on the spot, and the admissions officers clamored to leave.

"However, I didn't enter any room. I left through the back of the hotel."

Ms. Peyton burst out laughing: "Ha ha ha, who would believe that? Jenna, you usually look so pure and honest, but only I, as your teacher, truly understand what kind of person you are!"

"I didn't deliberately smear you in front of the admissions officers. I just don't want to see you go down the wrong path and make mistake after mistake!"

"As long as you admit your error, we'll void this year's results, and you can prepare properly for the SAT next year. I'm willing to tutor you for free!"

She spoke with such sincerity, like a good teacher. Only I knew how much she worshiped men and loved spreading sexual rumors about female students.

In high school, Ms. Peyton treated male and female students completely differently.

When male students asked for leave, she'd approve without checking the reason. But when female students were in so much pain they fainted, she'd just think they were faking.

When male students didn't wear their uniforms properly, it showed boldness and masculinity. But if a female student dared take off her jacket, she was a shameless slut trying to seduce men.

She would spend an entire class period scolding female students, treating all the girls in class like enemies.

I took out my phone and called the hotel by the school gate: "Could you please check the back door surveillance footage from around 8 PM a month ago?"

The front desk quickly sent me the surveillance from that time.

It clearly showed me entering through the front door and leaving through the back door less than a minute later.