“That’s really something–like trying to slice butter with a pocketknife. I’ve seen it all
now!” Theodore blurted out, his voice echoing through the room.
“Professor Shaw!” Wyatt snapped, his brow creasing with irritation.
“Like a rotten egg in a stew–nothing but trouble!”
Wyatt grimaced, at a loss for words.
“Why hasn’t the government used your face to make bulletproof vests yet? Seriously, and now you want her to quit the competition? Your scheming is giving me a headache! I’m telling you, Selene isn’t backing down. With her talent, she’s going to win that gold medal!”
Wyatt couldn’t help but laugh. “Professor, you probably haven’t heard thanks to the contestants‘ petitions, they’ve added a new round to the finals. Now, the top twenty can challenge each other in a live quiz showdown.”
The other students were eyeing Selene, clearly waiting for her to trip and fall.
“Your star pupil winning the challenge? Not likely. A stay–at–home mom getting the gold? Dream on!”
Selene spoke up, her voice steady. “Wyatt, if I win the gold, you–and everyon .ho’s ever harassed Professor Shaw–will have to issue a public apology to him.”
Wyatt crossed his arms, smirking. “Talk is cheap! If you really beat everyone in the challenge and win gold, I’ll twist my own head off and let you use it for soccer practice!”
Selene grinned. “Pick something a little more… plausible as a punishment.”
A boy behind Wyatt piped up with a sneer, “If Selene wins the gold, Wyatt will do a handstand and spin around while taking a dump!”
Selene could only stare, speechless. The thought of that scene was so horrifying she honestly didn’t dare imagine it.
Wyatt felt like his friends had just thrown him under a bus. He turned and hissed, “What the hell are you talking about?!”
His classmate snickered under his breath, “You’re the president of the breakdance club, right? A spinning handstand should be easy for you!”
Wyatt’s face turned beet red. This wasn’t about skill–it was about basic human
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dignity! If he really did something like that, half the school would probably call the
cops.
“I support the challenge,” Adrian announced, stepping into the living room after lingering at the doorway for some time. He walked over to Theodore.
“Dad, have you ever seen someone spin around doing a handstand while… you know? Want to see it live?”
Theodore rubbed his nose, visibly hesitant. “You mean… in person?”
Just picturing it was enough to make anyone’s skin crawl.
Selene laughed. “Honestly, I’d rather not witness it myself.”
Adrian turned to the rest of the Capital University students. “Alright then, if Selene wins the gold, you all gather around Wyatt, film him, and send us the video. Deal?”
Wyatt’s cheeks were burning. “Why should I listen to you?!”
Selene interjected, “And if I don’t win the gold-?”
Wyatt jumped in before she could finish. “Then Professor Shaw has to apologize in public, admit he’s a lousy teacher, and resign as dean!”
weren’t
Selene shot a sharp glance at Theodore. Now she understood–the stude just after her; their real target was Theodore. But what did they stand to gain from pushing him to resign? There was no direct benefit for them.
Theodore smiled, the wrinkles on his face deepening. “Alright! It’s settled–deal.”
His hawk–like gaze swept over the Capital University students, and more than a few dropped their eyes when he looked their way.
“I can’t wait to see you all, covered in whatever Wyatt manages to… produce.”
A housekeeper came in, distributing documents to the students one by one.
Adrian added, “Here are your subpoenas for trespassing. The court summons will be arriving soon.”
Wyatt’s face twisted with anger as he realized Adrian was serious about pressing charges. He tossed the papers on the floor, his neck stiff with fury. “You’re taking this way too far!”
His classmates quickly grabbed his arm. “Let’s just go. Now.”
None of them wanted to end up in court with Adrian–he’d bleed them dry.
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One by one, they slunk out, leaving the Shaw house finally peaceful once more.
Selene turned to Theodore, about to speak. “Professor-”
Theodore cut her off, his tone grave. “Your only job now is to win that gold medal. H believe in you. You can do it.”
Selene stayed in the Shaw house, focusing on her studies for over an hour before finally getting up to use the bathroom.
On her way back, she passed Adrian’s room and, out of the corner of her eye, glimpsed his powerful back.
He was tending the wounds on his back himself–not an easy feat. Selene watched as he tried to pour antiseptic over the injuries, but instead, the liquid missed entirely, soaking his waistband and leaving a wet patch on his crisp white shirt.
