Evelina, visibly tense, began, “Lemmy, you remember how Wendy and others falsely accused you of cheating? You must understand how I feel right now. I know you’ve never been fond of me, but we’re family, right?”

Seeing Evelina’s anxiety, Lemira realized she, too, felt a sense of apprehension. She replied calmly, “I do recall that, Evelina.” She was simply being truthful.

Evelina’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “Lemmy, how could you say that? You just said Wendy was lying!”

Her companion interjected, “Exactly! We all heard you. Lemira, your story keeps changing. How can anyone believe you?”

Lemira replied slowly, “I didn’t think much of it at first, but it’s just come back to me.”

Evelina, furious, considered Lemira a wretch. She looked at the teacher, misery etched on her face. “I didn’t cheat, I swear. I looked back because I heard Wendy calling me, and she slipped that note onto my desk while I wasn’t looking. I had no idea.”

The teacher, initially leaning toward Evelina, remembered the past incident where Lemira had been falsely accused and began to doubt Evelina’s account. He finally said, “Evelina, Wendy, both of you, come to my office.”

Lemira remained seated, the whispers about the cheating scandal swirling around her. She opened her textbook, curious to see her score.

Soon, the monitor summoned her. “The teacher wants to see you in the office.”

Lemira had anticipated this and went to the office, only to find Wendy absent. Lucian was there. Clearly, Evelina had sought support.

With reddened eyes, Evelina looked up. “Lemmy, do you really hate me this much? What must I do for you to forgive me?”

Lemira answered calmly, “I’m just stating what I saw. If I really wanted to get you in trouble, I would have said I saw you cheating outright!”

Evelina’s face flushed crimson.

Lucian couldn’t contain himself, scolding Lemira, “Can’t you speak properly? Eve is family. I’d expect better in a situation like this!”

Lemira raised her head. “What do you expect me to say, Lucian? That I didn’t see anything? Fine, I really didn’t see Evelina looking back.”

Lucian felt a headache coming on, frustrated by her seeming misunderstanding.

The teacher cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve got the gist of it. Evelina, you’re not entirely blameless. You shouldn’t have others do your homework or whisper during tests.”

Lucian interjected, “Eve had others do her homework because she was tied up with family issues. I can vouch for that.” Getting homework help was a minor infraction, especially given Evelina’s circumstances.

Evelina looked aggrieved. “Lucian, I had no idea Wendy wanted to frame me for cheating, just because I mentioned the money she owed me.”

“Eve, I know you’re kind-hearted and like to help others, but even kindness has its limits.” Lucian believed Evelina was innocent, a victim of false accusations.

The teacher concluded, “We’ll discuss the outcome. You can go back to class now.”

Lemira turned and left. Lucian followed her. “Lemmy, how could you testify you saw Eve looking back? What if the teacher decides she’s guilty and punishes her? Have you thought about the consequences?”

Lemira stopped. “If Evelina did cheat and is trying to pin it on Wendy, who’s not well-off, have you considered what happens to Wendy?”

“It’s impossible. Eve wouldn’t do something like that.” Lucian almost instinctively defended her.

Chapter 52