They Made Me a Scapegoat, I Fought to Clear My Name and Won

Not long after I was taken to the separate room, the bell rang, it marked the end of the English exam.

None of my classmates left after finishing; they all rushed over to see me, led by my childhood friend Emmet Barker.

He was drenched in sweat and shouted at the inspectors, "Teachers, you must be mistaken! Jessica would never cheat! She's a top student at No. 1 High School, a guaranteed candidate for Glasgow, she has no reason to cheat!"

The inspector watching over me sighed, "That boy really cares about you. He just finished his exam and already came to plead for you."

Hearing that, I let out a cold laugh, "Really?"

Emmet and I grew up together, though our families were worlds apart. But he never looked down on my background and was always a good friend to me.

I used to dream of getting into a top university, thinking only then I'd be worthy of him. But after today's scandal, there was no way that would ever happen.

The inspectors were also baffled, "They all say you were going to be the top scorer, why ruin your future like this?"

I lifted my eyes, looked at the teacher and said word by word, "Because if I didn't do this, I would die."

The inspector was startled by my words, but I remained calm, even wore a faint smile on my face. As if that wild statement had come from someone else entirely.

Soon, my homeroom teacher arrived. She banged on the windowsill from outside and glared at me furiously like I'd let her down. He angrily said, "Jessica, are you out of your mind? The college entrance exam decides your whole future, why would you mess up now by cheating?"

"Your parents are hardworking farmers, planting vegetables day and night just to scrape together your tuition. How could you be so irresponsible to them?" When she mentioned my parents, I bit my lip and lowered my head.

Everyone assumed I was ashamed and guilty, which made the accusation of cheating seem even more solid.

But I knew better than anyone, only by reporting myself for cheating could I have a real chance at getting into Glasgow.

Soon, the principal arrived after hearing the news and with him came Ms. Travis from the Glasgow admissions office.

When Ms. Travis saw me handcuffed and sat in a chair, she was stunned. She asked in disbelief, "Jessica, weren't you already guaranteed a spot at Glasgow through the competition program? Why are you even in the exam hall, let alone cheating?"

With that one sentence, everyone was stunned.

Emmet looked at me blankly and asked, "You … you were already admitted?"

The principal and my homeroom teacher were shocked and asked Ms. Travis for confirmation.

Ms. Travis nodded repeatedly, "I'm not mistaken, I'm certain! Jessica has already been accepted into Glasgow's Physics Department! The offer letter is on the way!"

Now people were even more confused.

I'd already been admitted to the best university in the country, so why would I cheat in the entrance exam?

My homeroom teacher slapped her thigh and said firmly, "I get it! Someone set her up! Jessica, tell me the truth, did someone plant that cheat sheet in your pocket?"

The principal quickly agreed, "Yes, Jessica. As long as you say you didn't cheat, we'll get to the bottom of this!"

Everyone stared at me, eyes filled with hope. I knew that if I denied it, the teachers and classmates would protect me.

But instead, I said with a blank face, "I cheated. The cheat sheet is mine."