Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
When the final check was completed, Yunice calmly spoke for the first time.
“Excuse me, may I ask how I was reported for cheating? Did someone witness the alleged act?”
Her tone was polite, cool-but sharp. She was already digging, already analyzing.
She knew she’d been targeted.
One official held out a phone. “Is this you?”
Yunice looked at the screen. A student ID photo. She recognized it immediately-it was taken years ago when she was still in school.
“Yes,” she confirmed. “That’s me.”
“Someone outside claimed to be your mother,” the inspector continued. “Said she gave you cheat notes and paid off an invigilator to watch your back.”
Yunice’s gut twisted. Cold anger surged like a rising tide, crashing against her ribs.
But this-trying to sabotage her college entrance exam-was cruel even for Lily.
She’d earned this opportunity with her own hands. Yet Lily still tried to rip it away from her.
Yunice spoke slowly, her voice steady and grave.
“Teachers, I request that this incident be documented and kept on record. I will be filing an appeal after the SAT. I’ve been slandered and falsely accused. This has caused severe and unwarranted interference with my exam.”
She continued.
“I assume you’ve reviewed my profile. I am a registered orphan. I have no mother. How is it possible I was reported by one?”
The officials exchanged looks.
Nothing had turned up. No concealed device. No shady materials.
Except… her pace had been a bit fast.
But she was a special case-an adult test-taker. And not a typical one.
Her file listed her as a self-educated orphan from a rural village. She’d never had formal schooling, which explained her absence from past exams. She was only now testing as a private candidate after being adopted.
All documentation was in order.
No tools found. No irregularities beyond her speed.
This very well could be a malicious report.
The team had no choice but to let her return to the exam-under continued observation for post-exam review.
Back at her desk, Yunice glanced at the clock.
Thirty minutes left.
More than enough.
She’d already built the essay outline in her mind during the inspection. Now all she had to do was write it.
In the surveillance room, officials remained glued to the monitors, watching her every move.
“She’s unshakable,” someone murmured in admiration. “Even after that, her hand didn’t tremble. She jumped right back in like nothing happened.”
“I took a peek at her answers,” another added. “I didn’t see a single error.”
“Her accuracy’s insane. No wonder someone tried to sabotage her. They must’ve realized they’d never beat her fair and square.”
“And she’s smart,” a third said. “Most examinees panic and waste time trying to prove their innocence. But not her. She cooperated immediately, defused suspicion, and then redirected the blame.”
They paused, watching as Yunice scribbled efficiently.
“She even zoned out during the search process. I bet she was brainstorming her essay. Look at her now-she’s already writing.”
“She’s got a clear plan. I wonder which college she wants to apply to-I’d actually love to be her advisor someday.”
“Let’s not jump the gun. Sure, she did great in the language section, but what if she’s bad at other subjects?”
True enough. There were still plenty of exams ahead. What if they bet on the wrong horse?
The bell signaling the end of the test rang. Yunice calmly spread her hands, letting the proctor collect her test sheet and answer card.
As she stepped out of the testing room, the other students inside were all staring at her.
Yunice knew-even if she hadn’t cheated, she was still going to be caught up in the drama, the center of attention for both students and teachers.
This was exactly Lily’s trap.
Even if she wasn’t actually brought down by the accusation, most people would have their mindset completely wrecked after something like this. They’d fall apart and tank the rest of their exams.
But Yunice’s mental strength had long since been forged through fire. A few looks or passing whispers from strangers wouldn’t make her lose sleep or spiral into anxiety.
The SAT was always under the constant watch of parents and the media. Yunice figured that if someone had reported her, the news must have already made its way to both groups.
Whether she cheated or not, the second she walked out, she’d be surrounded and interrogated.
She pulled on a face mask, kept her head down, and blended into the crowd, trying to slip away unnoticed.
Wyatt had just gotten out of the car. He was holding a bouquet. With his height, he could easily see the tops of heads coming out of the school gate.
He had expected Yunice to come bouncing out, bright and sunny. What he didn’t expect was to see someone slinking around like a thief.
Wyatt paused for a second, then tossed the bouquet into the arms of a grinning Jordan and turned to open the car door, pulling out a black umbrella.
Jordan didn’t even have time to react before he saw Wyatt step into the crowd.
Then, with precision, Wyatt picked someone out from the sea of students and stopped to open the umbrella.
The sunlight above Yunice dimmed. Her heart seized for a moment-she thought someone had grabbed her.
But when she looked up and saw Wyatt’s face, the panic in her eyes instantly disappeared.
Wyatt caught that flicker of fear. He knew something had definitely happened.
He shielded her with the umbrella and said, “Come with me.”
Yunice couldn’t see the road ahead. She hooked her arm through his, trusting him completely as he led her to the car.
Wyatt stayed outside to fold up the umbrella. Several camera flashes went off as photographers snapped away.
Plenty of media outlets and internet personalities had gathered outside, all trying to piggyback on SAT coverage. A guy like Wyatt-clean-cut, well-dressed, and carrying flowers-was just as eye-catching as the first top-scoring student to walk out. Of course, they snapped pictures.
Some even speculated who he might be picking up. Maybe a rich heiress who just finished the SAT?
But Wyatt stood firmly in front of the car door, blocking any view inside. No one could get a shot of the passenger.
Wyatt got in the car and handed Yunice a bottle of water.