Chapter 14

James frowned and said, "Everyone, please be quiet." Frederick's expression faltered. "Mr. Scott, Jonathan cheated. Unless he can prove that he didn't cheat." It was too obvious. Jonathan had gone from being the last in class to first. How could it not look like cheating? James turned his gaze toward Jonathan. Jonathan spoke nonchalantly. "If you think I cheated, show me the evidence. Why should I prove myself?" Frederick clenched his fists. "Your math score was only 12 points last semester, but now you got 150. If that's not cheating, what is?" "I didn't care about my studies before, but now I do. Is that so wrong?" Jonathan's voice was cold. "What? Are you upset because you can't accept losing?" Frederick ground his teeth. "Jonathan, you need solid proof to show you didn't cheat. It's not about winning or losing—it's about maintaining your integrity as a student. "You chose to cheat in a test this time. What about the major exams in the future? If you cheat and the school finds out, it'll ruin Gracefield High School's century-old reputation." "Please use your brain." Jonathan glanced sideways at Frederick, coldly adding, "Whoever doubts someone should provide evidence. Even a child knows this. Don't you understand? Tsk… It seems like your head's not working right." Frederick's face turned ugly, silenced by his retort in front of everyone. Though the students were still whispering among themselves, no one dared to question Jonathan's integrity anymore. Whoever doubted someone should provide evidence. That was an absolutely flawless statement. James couldn't help but admire him for his response. "Remember to write a ten-thousand-word apology letter and apologize in front of the entire school during the flag-raising ceremony next Monday," Jonathan said, smirking. "Frederick, you haven't forgotten the bet, right?" Frederick's face turned from pale to red, and he noticed Stella was also looking his way. If he went back on his word, his image in her eyes would be severely tarnished. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "I haven't forgotten. I'll honor the bet." After class, Jonathan, leisurely sucking on a lollipop that Michelle had just given him, walked toward Owen. Recalling what had happened earlier, Owen instinctively shrank his neck and raised his hands to cover his head, fearfully looking up at Jonathan. "Jonathan, what are you trying to do?" He wanted to run, but Jonathan quickly grabbed his collar, immobilizing him. He raised an eyebrow. "I have a good memory. Didn't you say if I took first place, you'd go eat shit?" Owen's terror intensified, a cold shiver running down his spine. "Jonathan, you're bullying me! You're violating the code of conduct!" Right! Last time, Jonathan used the code of conduct to pressure him, and now he could turn it around and use it against Jonathan! Jonathan's voice dropped, tinged with a playful tone. "It's fine. If you want to report me, I don't mind beating you up first before you get the chance to report me. I'll drop out afterward." Owen trembled, his legs buckling in fear. "Jonathan, you're not playing fair!" Before he could say anything else, Jonathan shoved him out of the classroom, pointing to the restroom at the end of the hall. "I don't need to teach you how to do it, right?" Owen wanted to cry, but his tears wouldn't fall. If he had known, he wouldn't have provoked Jonathan. Jonathan always held grudges! Five minutes later, Owen returned to the classroom smelling awful. Before he entered, Stella's sharp voice rang out, "Owen, go clean yourself up before you come back to class!" He was nearly dying from embarrassment, and with the sound of laughter from his classmates, he left for the restroom to wash off the mess. Meanwhile, at the Campbell residence, Stephanie called the whole family to the living room, her tone excited. "Dad, Mom, Winny, Bella, I'm about to call Frederick's math teacher to ask about his and Jonathan's test scores." She couldn't help but feel pleased at the thought of Jonathan being humiliated. He had acted so arrogantly last night! How dare he bet with Frederick and think he could top the class? Did he deserve it? She dialed James's number, put the call on speaker, and turned up the volume so everyone could hear. "Hello, is this Mr. Scott?" Stephanie asked excitedly. James responded, "Yes, how can I help?" "I just wanted to ask how Frederick did in the test. How many points did he get?" "145 points. He did really well," he praised genuinely. As expected! Frederick was number one again! She smiled proudly. "Of course! He's the pride of the Campbell family." Gregory, Eleanor, Winona, and Isabella smiled with satisfaction and pride. Frederick was the heir to the Campbell family's fortune, and his future was limitless. But then, James hesitated. The Campbell family was one of the most prominent in Satbury. Even though he didn't follow the high-society gossip, he had heard about the rivalry between Jonathan and Frederick. Jonathan was the true heir, and Frederick was just an adopted son. Wasn't a wealthy family supposed to value bloodline above all else? Why did the Campbell family prefer Frederick while cutting ties with Jonathan? It was a bit ironic that the true heir couldn't even claim his heritage. "By the way, Mr. Scott, how did Jonathan do in the test? I hope he didn't get a score in the single digits again?" Stephanie assumed that Jonathan must have been last in the class again. Her question about Frederick had been kind and patient, but her tone dripped with undisguised disdain and mockery when asked about Jonathan. James understood immediately. The Campbells were trying to compare Jonathan's and Frederick's results to make Jonathan look bad, hoping for some entertainment from his humiliation. But unfortunately for them, that wasn't going to happen. With a serious tone, he replied, "Ms. Campbell, Jonathan scored 150 points—a perfect score, and was first in the class." Without missing a beat, he added, "Jonathan has made a huge improvement, and he must have had the support of the Campbell family behind him. I'm sure you've encouraged him to achieve such great results, right?" Her smile immediately froze. James' words were like slaps to their face, striking each of the Campbell family members without mercy! Frederick wasn't first? 150 points? A perfect score? Huge improvement? Jonathan's score was higher than Frederick's? Support and encouragement from the Campbell family? How could Jonathan receive any such care or affection from the Campbell family? Stephanie fumed. "Mr. Scott, did Jonathan copy Frederick's answers?"