He Ruined Me, Now I Reign Over His Ruin

In the examination room, the teacher found a piece of cheating paper on the corner of Andreas Deleon's desk.

He stood up and told the teacher uprightly, "Sir, this note was thrown to me by Kristi."

I was about to explain when Avery Hendrix, who was standing beside me, pulled me back with red eyes and said in a trembling voice, "Kristi, don't."

Since I was hesitating, I missed the best opportunity to explain.

From that day on, I went from being the top student to a cheater and no one wanted to listen to me anymore.

Andreas and Avery were even more eager to draw a line between themselves and me.

In this remote town, even my parents, who were always proud of me, would be pointed at when they went out. 

I was isolated like a cancer.

The school cancelled my admission qualification and stopped my subsidy.  

Also, no one visited my father’s vegetable stall anymore.

On the day when my mother was seriously ill and had no money for treatment, Andreas threw 200 dollars at me and forced me to drop out of school.

"Watch your mouth. The college entrance exam is coming soon. If you tarnish Avery's reputation, I will make you regret it!"

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the examination room during my senior year of high school.

The teacher frowned as he looked at the note in his hand, reading word by word, "‘Andreas, I don't know how to answer the last big question.’

——

“Who wrote this? Stand up!"

I woke up with a startle from a loud shout and found myself back in the examination room of my senior year of high school.

My childhood friend Andreas turned around and saw me with tears on my face. He sighed with pity, "Since you've already stood up, just... accept it."

Next to me, Avery, whom I had always regarded as my best friend, thanked me in a low voice with tears in her eyes, "Kristi, I will repay you."

I finally pulled myself out of the pain of my family being torn apart in my previous life and stood up before Andreas could speak.

“Sir, I didn’t throw this note. The ink on it is blue-black, but my pen only writes in black, so it couldn’t have been mine.

“Besides, the handwriting is shaky and messy and I always write neatly with little emoticons too. Also, I’ve already solved the last big question. Look, it really can’t be me!”

I held up the test paper and explained it to the teacher seriously, speaking loudly and quickly.

I had explained countless times in my previous life, but no one cared.

The teacher glanced at my paper in shock and asked in confusion, "Kristi, I didn't say you were the one who did it. Why are you so excited?"

I realize my own gaffe.

On the side, Avery clenched her fists with her knuckles turning white and looked at me with eyes full of resentment.

Andreas also looked at me with disappointment.

What? Just because my family was the poorest, I, Kristi Lester, deserved to clean up your mess and take the blame for you?!

After the exam, the teacher announced he would conduct a thorough investigation and deal strictly with any cheaters. Then, without another word, he folded the note, tucked it into his notebook and walked out of the room.

I packed my things and was about to go back to the classroom from the exam room, but someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

Andreas was very strong and he pulled me to the corner of the stairs without paying any attention to other people's eyes.

Avery followed, with big tears dripping from her eyes.

"Kristi, you are my best friend. You clearly know it's me, why are you doing this to me?"

I pretended not to understand and asked, "Ah? Avery, what did you say? So, is it you?"

Avery stamped her feet in anger as she explained, "I threw that note to Andreas, you clearly saw it!"