Chapter 9

Trims didn't take me seriously, posing a question about the money. They claimed if Emma were heartless and ranked lower, they'd hand it to Aria. Liam couldn't help but smirk.

"Emma, come on!" Zoe urged, her tone growing aggressive. The Wilsons assumed Emma would give in. But Maya produced another paper. "Here's Emma's score report."

Aria erupted in laughter without even looking. "Emma, I told you! It's no surprise you can't keep up after coming straight from the boonies. But seriously, you need to focus. Turning it in after only 30 minutes? You won't ace anything with that attitude."

Ana's confidence swayed the crowd. Heads nodded in agreement.

"She turned it in in just 30 minutes? She's worthless."

"Can't answer? Fine, but at least finish it. Handing it in early—where's the arrogance coming from?"

"Why bring her back? She's an embarrassment."

Maya interrupted. "Hold on, you're wrong." She held up the report. "Look, in half an hour, Emma scored 1592."

Just eight points shy of a perfect writing score; everything else was perfect. 1592 points! Over 22 points higher than Aria, the usual top scorer.

Aria stumbled, disbelieving. "No way, that's impossible. Nobody at Vark College has ever scored 1592. She must have cheated."

Emma, who had been quiet, stepped forward, smiling. "Seriously, Aria? You just said nobody at this school has ever scored 1592, then you accuse me of cheating? Cheating off whom? You think I'd copy your measly 1570?"

Aria, flustered, was near tears. "I don't believe it. You must have Googled the answers. You must have used your phone."

Even Maya added, "Vark College exam questions are all teacher-made. There are no online answers to Google."

After all her years of studying, Aria's ignorance was shocking. Her panic was evident. Emma's score stunned everyone, but Aria's reaction bewildered them even more.

Upstairs, Liam calmly sipped champagne, observing the commotion. Levi sensed trouble for Emma. He asked, "Mr. Hall, should I go down and help Mrs. Hall?"

Liam smirked. "She seems to have it handled."

Levi wiped his brow. Mrs. Hall indeed seemed to have it under control. 1592 points. Even for Levi, a former state top scorer with 1580, that was impressive.

Downstairs, Aria insisted, "Dad, Maya, Emma cheated. There's no way she could score that high. She…"

"Stop it!" Mateo's face was red with anger. "Do you want to make things worse? Shut up."

Nora pulled Aria away, but Mateo and Zoe's expressions toward Emma remained unchanged even after learning her score.

Mateo glared at Emma. "Explain this!" His tone implied suspicion.

Emma retorted, "What's to explain? Maya already confirmed there's no way I cheated. Maya, am I right?"

"Exactly, Emma couldn't have cheated," Maya affirmed, stopping Mateo's accusations.

"Okay, everyone, it seems there's been a family hiccup today," Mateo announced, suggesting an early end to the party.

"Wait," Emma interrupted. "Let's not end it here. Since everyone's here, let's settle the inheritance contract today."

Mateo fumed.

Emma grinned. "Grandma was right. Aria has great scores and deserves to study abroad. But mine are even better. It would be a waste not to use them for my education, right?"

Zoe protested, agitated. "This is completely different! Aria's been at the top forever. We still don't know what your first place is even worth."

"Well, Zoe, you're wrong."

"Yeah, they're both Mateo's daughters. Emma has a point."

"Come on, Maya cleared Emma. You're just playing favorites."

The heated arguments quickly tarnished the Wilson family's reputation.

Suddenly, a man spoke. "Vark College tests are serious. Cheating? Absolutely impossible. If a big shot like Mr. Wilson doesn't know that, it's no wonder your bank's run dry, resorting to selling your own daughter for cash."

The words silenced the room. The speaker was Daniel, a towering figure.

Mateo frowned. "Mr. Rivera, what do you mean?"

"Did I miss something?" Daniel stepped forward. "Wasn't your plan to marry Emma off to Liam for his ten-million-dollar investment?"

"Mr. Rivera, this is a private family matter," Mateo retorted, unaware that Daniel was Stella's brother, kept secret since Stella's marriage.

"If the trust company is involved, it's not just your family's private matter anymore. Violating the trust's terms will have serious consequences," Daniel replied.

Mateo's face drained of color, realizing Daniel's immense financial power. Daniel's words, following Liam's warning, were a clear threat.

Overwhelmed, Mateo had no choice but to publicly sign the contract, giving Emma the full two million dollars.

Aria cried, "Dad, you promised that money was for my education. Why should Emma get any of it? She's just a shameless country bumpkin who doesn't deserve a penny!"