Chapter 22
Chapter 22:
He leaned in, trying to read her answer. He was actually smart—hidden beneath the playboy facade—but he was lazy. He recognized genius when he saw it.
Skye sensed him. Without breaking her rhythm, she shifted her left arm, blocking his line of sight perfectly.
Thirty minutes later.
The exam was scheduled for three hours.
Skye put her pen down. She stood up. The screech of her chair leg against the floor was loud.
The entire room looked up. It was too early. No one finished this early.
Skye walked down the aisle to the proctor’s desk. She handed in her booklet.
She turned to leave, passing Ethan’s row. He was staring at her with his mouth slightly open. His paper was half-blank.
Skye paused. She looked at him, deadpan.
“The answer to Question 4 is ‘Liquidity Trap,’ not ‘Market Correction,’” she whispered, her voice low enough that only he could hear. “And stop chewing gum. It makes you look like a cow p>
She walked out.
Ethan glanced down at Question 4. He scribbled Liquidity Trap furiously. Then he looked at the door, a smirk tugging at his mouth.
“Interesting p>
Outside, the air was crisp. Skye took a deep breath. Freedom tasted like cold oxygen.
“There she is p>
A shrill voice cut through her peace.
Tiffany—Seraphina’s best friend and lackey—stood near the bike racks, holding her phone up. She was livestreaming.
“Guys, look! It’s Skye Sterling!” Tiffany shouted at her phone. “She just walked out of the exam after thirty minutes! She definitely cheated! Or she gave up because she’s too dumb p>
𝘕𝘰 𝘱𝗶𝗋𝗮c𝘆 r𝗲𝗮d 𝗈𝘯 b𝗲l𝘯о𝘷e𝗹ѕ.𝘤𝗈𝗺
Skye stopped. She watched Tiffany approach, the camera lens like a black eye.
“Hey, Skye!” Tiffany yelled, shoving the phone in Skye’s face. “Did you bribe the proctor? Or did you just draw pictures on the paper? Tell the fans p>
Skye didn’t step back. She didn’t cover her face. She walked straight toward Tiffany.
Tiffany faltered, stumbling back. “Don’t touch me! I’m streaming p>
Skye stopped inches from the phone. She looked directly into the camera lens. Her eyes were terrifyingly calm.
“Hello, Tiffany,” Skye said. Her voice was clear and steady. “Are you aware that filming on private university grounds for commercial gain without a permit is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct? Article 4, Section B p>
Tiffany blinked. “What p>
“I’ll have your violation submitted to the Disciplinary Board by noon,” Skye said simply. She reached out and gently pushed the phone down. “And Tiffany? Tell Seraphina that if she wants to spy on me, she should come herself. Sending minions is… tacky p>
Tiffany went pale. She ended the stream instantly. “You… you’re a witch p>