BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 13
Chapter 13-1
Ryan watched Elara’s uncharacteristic enthusiasm with knowing amusement. "Just wait," he murmured, clearly privy to something his colleagues
weren’t.
The other professors initially dismissed Elara’s excitement. ’Probably just a math whiz, they assumed -until Danielle finished every remaining exam in
just thirty minutes.
They’d always flaunted Moreno’s elite status. ’How the hell could someone who hasn’t even bothered with the SATs be this good?’ they thought,
convinced the math score had to be some kind of fluke. But as Danielle walked up, papers in hand, their doubt started to crack.
"You’re finished with everything?" Elara couldn’t hide her delight.
"Yes," Danielle said simply, as if completing several hours’ worth of tests in minutes was perfectly ordinary.
The other professors’ skepticism transformed into stunned admiration as they graded. The literature professor’s eyes widened. "Perfect score-this
essay is publication-worthy!"
"Impeccable composition," the language professor declared. "This sets a new departmental standard."
The design professor, notorious for never being satisfied, actually smiled. "This work... the innovation, the technical precision. It exceeds professional
quality. Your natural talent is extraordinary."
"Mr. and Mrs. Darling, Danielle completed all exams in forty minutes with perfect scores across the board," Ryan informed her parents.
Howard and Vivian stood frozen for a moment, then broke into delighted smiles. They’d spent the whole time preparing consoling speeches, even
They rushed to the examination room with Danielle, leaving Audrey behind, alone with her thoughts. Something wasn’t sitting right. How the hell could
someone from nowhere, with no resources to speak of, pull this off?’ Audrey wondered.
She’d always been at the top of her class, but even she had never nailed perfect scores across the board.
"Sweetheart, you’re incredible! Perfect scores!" Vivian hugged Danielle tightly.
"That’s my girl! We need to celebrate this." Howard beamed with pride.
Audrey entered to find her parents lavishing praise on Danielle. ’It’s just an entrance test, she thought bitterly. ’When I aced my SATs, they weren’t
nearly this excited. But I guess their real daughter gets special treatment.
"Mom, Dad, Audrey began, biting her lip with feigned concern. "I don’t mean to be rude, but... growing up where she did, with such limited education-
how did she manage perfect scores? Maybe she had... help with the answers?"
She lowered her eyes demurely. "I’m sorry, Danielle, I don’t mean to accuse you. It’s just that we Darlings pride ourselves on integrity."
The professors stared at Audrey as if she’d lost her mind. This star student of theirs was actually suggesting that her sister had cheated-and by
extension, that they had compromised their own academic integrity.
Before Danielle could respond, Ryan stepped forward.
"Are you questioning this institution’s integrity?" His voice could have frozen lava. "These tests were created minutes ago, under our direct
supervision."
"Are you suggesting that we leaked the answers to your sister?" The professors bristled at the implication-an accusation of academic dishonesty that
no self-respecting educator would let slide.
"No, I just meant..." Audrey’s eyes filled with carefully calculated tears.
"I’m sorry, Danielle. Mom, Dad, I didn’t mean it that way. Of course, I’m happy she’s so talented. I just spoke without thinking. It’s my fault for
expressing myself poorly." Audrey hung her head as tears rolled down her cheeks, the perfect picture of misunderstood innocence.
"Audrey, the very fact you would think such a thing is wrong," Howard said sternly. "How could you doubt your sister like that? Think before you speak
next time."
"Exactly," Vivian added, clearly disappointed.
"Apologize to your sister. And don’t ever say anything like that again."
"I’m sorry, Danielle," Audrey whispered.
Their parents’ sharp reprimand hit her like a physical blow. In all her years as the perfect daughter, they’d never spoken to her so harshly. Because of
Danielle, she was being forced to apologize. She realized too late she’d moved too quickly, damaging her image in their eyes.
Danielle just gave Audrey a cold glance. She was getting tired of this act-ever since she’d returned home, it had been nothing but fake apologies.
How many times can someone say sorry while clearly not meaning it?’ she thought. There must be something wrong with her.
Ryan smoothly intervened to ease the tension. "Danielle can join the incoming class after summer break."
"Thank you for everything," Howard said, leading his family out.
Trailing behind them, Audrey’s fingers curled into fists. ’I can’t just sit back and take this anymore, she thought, her face twisting with malice when no
one was looking.
Dawn had barely broken when Audrey appeared in the kitchen. She retrieved milk from the refrigerator and popped bread in the toaster, her
movements mechanical and distracted.
"Miss Darling, you’re up unusually early, Skylar said, watching as Audrey barely touched her breakfast.
"I need to go out. If anyone asks, I’m visiting a sick friend, Audrey replied, drinking her milk in one gulp.
In Room 809 at St. Katherine’s Hospital, David faced the most challenging patient yet.
"This damn antiseptic smell is driving me crazy! I’m outta here!" his grandfather grumbled, for what felt like the tenth time that morning.
"Not until you’re medically cleared," David replied, immune to the dramatics by now.