Chapter 13-1


    Ryan watched ra’s uncharacteristic enthusiasm with knowing amusement. "Just wait," he murmured, clearly privy to something his colleagues weren’t.


    The other professors initially dismissed ra’s excitement. ’Probably just a math whiz, they assumed -until Danielle finished every remaining exam in just thirty minutes.


    They’d always unted 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?" ra couldn’t hide her delight.


    "Yes," Danielle said simply, as ifpleting 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!"


    "Impableposition," thenguage professor dered. "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, Daniellepleted 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 rehearsing exactly how tofort her if she struggled. This oue hadn’t even crossed their minds.


    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 ss, 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 parentsvishing 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 use 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 hadpromised their own academic integrity.


    Before Danielle could respond, Ryan stepped forward.


    "Are you questioning this institution’s integrity?" His voice could have frozenva. "These tests were created minutes ago, under our direct supervision."