Sacrificed for Her, Now Everyone Pays

Half an hour before I receive my degree certificate, Lionel Simmons, my boyfriend as well as the class president, tells me that my graduation will be getting delayed because I need to retake my exam on a major course.

Meanwhile, Vivian Crosby, the campus belle who often ranks last in exams, is eligible to receive certifications on her courses.

Lionel quickly shields Vivian from me while looking very unapologetic.

"In this course, every class requires a certain quota when it comes to the retakes. Since Vivian has bad grades, there's no way she's passing the retake. That's why I submitted your name instead.

"Unlike you, Vivian doesn't have excellent grades and a boyfriend who actually gives a damn about you. Even if your graduation gets delayed, it won't affect our future plans at all. Amelia, you should make some sacrifices for your fellow classmate's sake."

After I strongly object against that decision, my classmates mock me for being petty and uncaring toward Vivian.

Fine. Since they obviously lack empathy for me, I don't hesitate to call my uncle, who's a member of the university board as well as one of the invigilators of the final exams.

"I got into the top three ranks of the final exams, and yet I can't graduate on time because I have to retake my final exam instead. Does this mean the remaining hundreds of students bribed you to not fail their exams instead?

"I want everyone's graduations to get delayed alongside mine in half an hour, no matter what!"

I never thought that with my grades, I'd ever have to take a makeup exam.

So, back when a Fortune 100 company asked when I could start, I told them the next day. And the whole time, Lionel Simmons knew that.

I stared at him coldly. "You knew I was supposed to report to work tomorrow with my degree certificate in hand, and you pull something like this?"

Lionel barely looked at me. "It's not like you can't get it anymore. Stop making such a big deal out of it. It's just a makeup exam. You'll pass easily. I believe in you."

I was speechless at how casually he said it. I rebutted, "You changed my grades without my permission. Is this really about a makeup exam? I'm starting work tomorrow. How am I supposed to explain not having my degree certificate?"

He sighed, somewhat irritated. "I'm your boyfriend. Can't I make a decision about something this minor? If you're really that capable, you won't need a degree certificate anyway. Who knows if you exaggerated your qualifications to them in the first place?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Vivian Crosby tugged on my sleeve. "Amelia, we're still students. You shouldn't be so obsessed with fame and fortune.

"I've looked at your résumé. Those innovation competitions and entrepreneurship awards you listed, the official websites don't even list your name. They'll definitely expose you. Lionel was only trying to save you from embarrassing yourself. Instead of appreciating his good intentions, you're blaming him?"

I was stunned for a moment. Every one of those awards had been earned fair and square. I had used my former name because I preferred to keep a low profile. And the people who handed out those awards were longtime business partners and family friends. They all knew exactly who I was.

I shook her hand off in disgust. "Stop acting innocent when you're benefiting from this. Was this really about saving me from embarrassment, or about making sure you graduate smoothly?"

Vivian's slender hand stiffened midair. Her eyes reddened as she looked at me pitifully. "That's not it. You've misunderstood. I…"

Before she could finish, Lionel stepped in protectively in front of her. "Enough! Amelia Wood, can you stop with this ridiculous jealousy? I'm not just your boyfriend. I'm everyone's friend. I have a responsibility to help any classmate who needs it!

"Do you know what'll happen if Vivian doesn't get her degree? Her parents will marry her off to some old bachelor. What's wrong with you sacrificing a little for someone else's future? Since when did you become so selfish?"

I met Vivian's guilty eyes.

I was a student council representative. When Vivian transferred into our program, I had already looked into her family background. They might not be wealthy, but she was an only child, and her parents treated her very well.

I had mentioned all this to Lionel before. But in the end, he still chose not to believe me.

Instead, every time Vivian played the victim, he accused me of becoming cold-hearted out of jealousy because he paid too much attention to her.