The morning sunlight streamed into the lecture hall, but the warmth did nothing to calm the storm that had been brewing in Scarlett's mind since last night. Matteo had dropped her off at her studio apartment early, but her thoughts remained tangled in memories of Nicolas—his hands still stained with blood, the intruder, the danger that clung to him like smoke. She had barely slept.
Now, sitting in the crowded classroom, Scarlett felt the air shift. Everyone seemed tense, restless, whispering among themselves. The professor's face, usually calm and collected, now held a sharp edge.
"A surprise test," he announced abruptly, voice clipped. "Begin immediately. No devices. No notes."
A ripple of panic ran through the students. Pens scratched nervously. Sweat appeared on foreheads. But Scarlett's pulse only quickened with focus. She had faced far worse.
Alisa Meng, seated a few rows back, smirked faintly. From her pocket, she retrieved a tiny, almost invisible chip. It wasn't immediately obvious—it looked like a small device meant to transmit answers. Carefully, she placed it near Scarlett's desk, subtly pressing it into the back of her chair. Joanna, her ally, watched intently, phone in hand, ready to report the "cheating" to the professor the instant she saw a reaction.
The plan was simple: make it look like Scarlett had used the device to get answers. Even if she didn't touch it, the placement alone could create suspicion.
Scarlett's mind was entirely on her paper. She didn't notice the chip, nor did she suspect anyone would try to frame her. Calm and composed, she began solving the questions with precision, oblivious to the trap being laid behind her.
Lucas, sitting across the aisle, noticed the faint glint of the device. He recognized it immediately—an answer-transmitting chip meant to frame someone for cheating. Without drawing attention, he subtly reached under Scarlett's desk and pried the chip loose, tucking it into his hand to ensure it wouldn't register any signals or be discovered by the professor.
Joanna's patience snapped. She tapped her phone, attempting to signal the professor. "She's—" she whispered, eyes narrowing.
The professor glanced in Scarlett's direction, suspicion flickering in his gaze. But Scarlett remained composed, unaware of any danger. Her focus was absolute, her answers precise, her demeanor unflustered.
Time ticked on. Panic and anxiety affected most of the students, their trembling hands causing mistakes and incomplete answers. Scarlett, however, worked steadily, every solution flowing naturally from her mind. Alisa's plan was failing—the girl wasn't even aware of the device, let alone using it.
As the final moments of the test approached, Lucas discreetly ensured the chip wouldn't be noticed. He even slipped it into his bag, planning to destroy it later. Scarlett handed in her paper, still calm, her brilliance intact. She had no idea she'd been the target of an attempted frame.
Alisa's lips tightened, a shadow of frustration crossing her face. Joanna's eyes blazed; their scheme had completely failed. They had intended to make Scarlett appear guilty, manipulating both the professor and the classroom dynamics, but their trap had been neutralized before it could take effect.
Outside, the city carried on, oblivious. Inside the hall, the silent battle had ended quietly, Scarlett still blissfully unaware. Lucas followed her at a discreet distance, making sure no one else could plant further schemes, while Scarlett walked out, confident in her own skill and intelligence.
For now, the danger had passed—but the war of subtle sabotage, deception, and hidden agendas was far from over. Scarlett would eventually learn how close she had come to being framed, but until then, her focus, determination, and integrity remained untouched.