In the midst of the chaos, Sloane couldn’t hide the satisfied smile that curled on her lips.
Watching Khloe in this situation filled her with a rush of pleasure.
Brett added, “I never thought you could stoop so low. Get out of my class! I won’t let someone like you ruin its reputation.”
Khloe, unfazed by the insults and threats, met them with cold disdain in her eyes. “You think you’re qualified to teach? You’re just a bootlicker for the so-called elites!”
Brett’s face reddened with fury, his finger shaking as he pointed at Khloe, shouting, “This is too far! You’re exactly what they said-an arrogant fool! Get out! Now!”
Khloe’s gaze remained firm, showing no hint of backing down. “Why should I listen to baseless accusations? If you all think I faked my work, why not let me compete with your students? You’ll see for yourselves whether I’m guilty or if you’re just mistaken!”
Khloe’s unexpected reply caught Brett off guard for a moment, but it worked to his advantage.
He had been trying to find a real reason to expel Khloe, and her biting words made it harder for him to do so without justification.
Brett raised an eyebrow, and a sly grin spread across his face. “Alright, I’ll make the questions.”
“Fine,” Khloe said, her gaze locking onto Sloane with determination. “But I’m competing against her.”
“How incredibly arrogant,” Gwyn snapped, her eyes burning with fury as she launched into a frenzied rant. “You’re so shameless, still trying at this point like it’s even worth it. You’re nothing but academic trash, and honestly, Sloane can’t be bothered to waste a second on you. Heck, I could take you down with my eyes closed.”
Khloe simply raised an eyebrow, her expression dripping with disdain. Her eyes, full of scorn, met Gwyn’s as she responded coolly, “Your academic record is pathetic. You’re not even close to being qualified. Step aside.”
Gwyn’s face turned bright red with fury. Her eyes were practically burning with rage as she jabbed a finger at Khloe, her entire body trembling with the desire to rip her apart.
Brett stepped in, trying to defuse the situation. “Don’t be hasty. I’ll handle this.”
He believed this was the perfect solution.
Sloane had consistently been a top student, and without a moment’s doubt, he nodded in agreement. “Okay, Sloane will take on Khloe in this challenge.”
Inside, Sloane’s heart raced with a mix of fear and unease, but she masked it expertly.
The classmates, on the other hand, were immediately thrilled. They had witnessed Sloane’s impeccable academic track record, with her research published in renowned journals and lauded by leading experts worldwide.
In their eyes, beating Khloe was an effortless task for someone of Sloane’s caliber.
The students erupted into cheers, as though they could already picture Khloe’s embarrassing downfall and the moment she would be kicked out of Zhecrora University. However, Sloane was the only one who felt a surge of anxiety as she turned to face Khloe, fully aware of the latter’s hidden strength-a power that made her uneasy. Yet, with Brett having officially chosen her, refusing would only make it look like she was scared.
“Sir, just a simple competition doesn’t excite me. What do you think about adding a bet to make things more interesting?” Khloe suggested, her voice dripping with challenge.
Brett furrowed his brow, confused. Wasn’t she supposed to be intimidated by the situation?
Khloe met his questioning gaze with unwavering resolve. “The loser should be expelled from Zhecrora University.”
Sloane’s face drained of color at Khloe’s words. The prospect of being expelled was far more than she had bargained for.
Brett rubbed his chin thoughtfully, weighing the proposal in his mind. He saw the logic behind Khloe’s suggestion. If it meant finally removing Khloe from Zhecrora University, it would clear up any potential future disruptions. Whether or not Khloe was guilty as accused, her presence had clearly become a disturbance.
He glanced at Sloane, his voice carrying a challenging tone. “Sloane, you have no objections, do you?”
The words landed on Sloane like a hard punch to the gut. She wanted to refuse, but her reputation as a top student in the department held her back. To back down now would be an embarrassing blow to her pride.
Sloane straightened her back, attempting to appear composed. “Of course, no problem at all,” she said, though her voice betrayed a slight tremor, and tiny beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.
“Alright then. I’ll begin with the questions!” Brett declared.
“Wait!” Sloane exclaimed.
Sloane leaned in and murmured something to Brett, who gave a quick nod of understanding.
Now, Sloane and Khloe sat two meters apart, with Brett positioned between them at the podium. His face was set in a stern expression.
The entire class lined up silently, their eyes glued to the scene, brimming with a mix of curiosity and eager anticipation.
Holding a stack of printed exam papers, Brett said, “These are the final exam questions from last year at Locburg University. You won’t find them online in this country. I had to pull some strings to get them. To keep this test fair and professional, I’ve also made a few modifications to the questions. You’ll have one hour to finish, and the total score is one hundred. Clear?”
Khloe’s face was set with determination as she replied firmly, “Yes.”
Meanwhile, Sloane’s palms were slick with sweat. Even though she had just subtly hinted to Brett to help her cheat, a deep sense of dread gnawed at her. The looming shadow of Khloe’s superiority, which had haunted her since childhood, was impossible to ignore.
What if she failed?
Defeat would not only strip her of her spot at Zhecrora University and bring public shame among her peers, but she would also have to endure a severe scolding at home. What scared her even more was what Eric might think. Would he turn his back on her and go back to Khloe? The deeper Sloane sank into these thoughts, the more paralyzed by fear she felt.
“Sloane! Sloane!” Brett’s voice snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts.
She jerked her head toward the podium. “Yes!” she blurted out.
“Focus,” Brett warned, his brow furrowing in disapproval.
Sloane scrambled to respond, “Alright, I’m just feeling a little drowsy.”
“Wow, Sloane must think this test is such a breeze that it’s putting her to sleep,” one student joked.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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