Yara Lu and Ning Xiner stood frozen in shock.The prodigy girl's notebook—how had it ended up in Class 28's possession?
Peng Li's voice sharpened with suspicion."How did Class 28 get their hands on the prodigy's review notebook?"
At that moment, realization dawned on Ning Xiner. She raised her voice dramatically:"I know! Celia stole it! Celia is a thief!"
When school ended, Celia and her classmates from Class 28 were about to leave when a large crowd blocked their path.
Ning Xiner, clutching the notebook tightly, wore a triumphant smile."Celia, admit it. Where did you steal this review notebook, thief?"
Zuo Ming immediately stepped forward."Ning Xiner, what nonsense are you spouting? Celia is not a thief. That notebook belongs to her."
"Her notebook?" Ning Xiner laughed coldly. "Don't make me laugh. This clearly belongs to the prodigy girl from Tsinghua University!"
The students of Class 28 were stunned. None of them had expected the review notebook they'd relied on came from that prodigy.
"Cici… is this notebook really from the prodigy girl?"
Celia's bright eyes flickered, and a small smile tugged at her lips. Oh no, it seemed she'd been exposed.
She admitted without hesitation, "Yes."
The entire class erupted in shock.
The prodigy wouldn't even give them the time of day—so how could they have imagined that each of them had studied from her notes?
The world was truly full of surprises.
Li Guoxiang, however, refused to believe Celia would ever stoop to theft. His tone was steady but anxious."Celia, there must be some misunderstanding. Tell us how you got this notebook. The teachers and your classmates all believe you."
"Yeah, Cici, please explain!" her classmates urged. "We'll believe whatever you say."
Ning Xiner sneered, her voice dripping with disdain."What now, Celia? Don't tell me you're going to claim you're friends with the prodigy girl? That's ridiculous. A prodigy being friends with you? Stop lying—no one believes it."
Surrounded by the accusing crowd, Celia simply lifted her gaze and looked at Ning Xiner calmly. Then, in a clear, pleasant voice, she said:
"I have nothing to say."
"Cici!" her classmates cried anxiously.
Yara Lu seized the opportunity and turned to Director Zhu."Director Zhu, you heard it yourself. Celia admitted she's a thief. She stole the prodigy's notebook. If Tsinghua University tolerates such a student of questionable character, how can we convince the public?"
The Rocket Class joined in, voices rising in unison."Director Zhu, expel her! Expel Celia immediately!"
Director Zhu hesitated, his expression conflicted."The president is on his way back. Academician Su went to receive him, and they should return tomorrow morning. Let's wait for the president to handle Celia's matter."
"Mr. Jiang is coming back?"
"The principal is finally returning!"
"Perfect timing. Celia only got into Tsinghua through connections. Once the principal hears of this, he'll throw her out without hesitation!"
Their voices grew louder and louder, each word cutting like a blade.
Director Zhu's heart weighed heavy. He didn't want to humiliate Celia—not after Su Mo had entrusted him with looking after her niece.
But Celia stepped forward on her own.
"Alright," she said softly. "I'll leave now."
"Cici!"
Her classmates' voices trembled with grief.
Celia, however, remained calm. She knew good things never lasted forever. With the principal's return, the truth of her identity would be impossible to conceal. She wasn't truly a Tsinghua student in the first place.
It had all been a fleeting stroke of luck, a beautiful misunderstanding.
News of Celia's "expulsion" spread across campus like wildfire.
In the office building, Nathaniel Fu had just finished a meeting when Secretary Song hurried in, his expression unusually heavy."President Fu, there's been an uproar. Miss Su… Miss Celia has been accused of stealing the prodigy girl's notebook. The students are demanding her expulsion."
Nathaniel froze for a moment, then frowned deeply."What?"
Secretary Song lowered his voice. "Director Zhu hasn't made a final decision, but everyone's pressuring him. They say Celia doesn't belong at Tsinghua and should be removed immediately."
Nathaniel's hand tightened around the fountain pen in his grip, nearly snapping it in half. His brows drew together, his tone cold."Expel her?"
For reasons he couldn't explain, a restless irritation surged inside him, something sharp and uncontrollable.
He could ignore many things.But the thought of Celia being forced out of Tsinghua… of her leaving his world entirely… made his chest ache with a strange, unwelcome panic.
"Who dares to expel her without my word?"
The words slipped from his lips, low and dangerous, before he even realized it.