Part 3Campus Scandal: My "Sugar Daddy" is Actually My Uncle

Friday rolled around.

Every Friday at noon, the university hosted a "Student Voice" open mic in the main quad. Anyone could sign up to speak on the soapbox.

I planned to use the opportunity to grab the mic and explain the whole situation.

But when I got to my morning lecture, there was an envelope sitting on my desk.

It was an official document with the university's red letterhead.

[Notice Regarding the Revocation of Harper's Award Eligibility.]

Reason: Involved in severe moral controversy. Following a report from the Student Government, all honors and scholarship eligibilities are indefinitely suspended.

It was dated yesterday.

Chloe’s efficiency was faster than Uber Eats.

From reporting me to issuing an official punishment, it took less than twenty-four hours.

I took the document straight to Advisor Davis.

He was eating a bagel at his desk.

"Harper, this incident blew up way too fast."

"The department is just trying to do some damage control with the optics."

"Once Liam comes back and clears things up, I'll help you get it reinstated."

"He doesn't get back until tomorrow, and I'm already officially punished today."

"The protocol is perfectly sound."

"Is it standard protocol for the Student Government to confiscate my bank card without authorization?"

Mr. Davis's hand paused halfway to his mouth.

"That... you'll have to negotiate that with the Student Government."

When it comes to public outrage, "protocol" is just playdough.

Whoever screams the loudest gets to mold it.

At noon, I went to the quad to sign up.

But Chloe had already tampered with the "Student Voice" clipboard.

My name was violently crossed out with a black Sharpie.

Next to it was a note: This student is currently under moral investigation and is unfit for public speaking.

I stood at the edge of the quad and watched Chloe step up to the microphone to deliver the keynote speech.

"We must bravely say no to inappropriate harassment."

"Everyone has the fundamental right to refuse unwanted advances."

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

People threw disgusted glances in my direction, whispering to each other.

Chloe noticed me.

She smiled gracefully into the microphone.

"Of course, we should always give those who make mistakes a chance to reform."

"I sincerely hope a certain someone takes this time to truly reflect on her actions."

Her eyes locked dead onto me.

Two thousand people followed her gaze, all staring right at me.

I stood in the bright sunlight, but it felt like I was standing on a public scaffold.

Zoey grabbed my sleeve, trying to pull me away.

"Don't stand here. She's doing this on purpose."

I shook off her hand.

"Take a picture for me."

"Of what?"

"The sign-up sheet on the table. The one where my name is crossed out."

Zoey snapped the picture and AirDropped it to me.

I saved the photo and marched straight to the Dean of Students' office.

The secretary there told me that revoking an award eligibility required a formal vote by the Faculty Disciplinary Board.

And the board had absolutely not convened yesterday.

Which meant the official university letter I received was completely rogue and procedurally invalid.

But the secretary quickly added an addendum.

"The department said they're holding an emergency retroactive meeting on Monday to officially finalize the decision."

"The meeting is on Monday, but the official punishment letter was issued yesterday?"

"It's a preliminary notice pending procedural fulfillment. It's a special circumstance."

Special circumstance.

Translated into plain English: Execute the punishment now, forge the paperwork later.

When I walked out of the Dean's office, Mia appeared out of nowhere.

She handed me a freshly printed apology letter.

"Chloe said, as long as you post this on the forum today, she'll pull strings to get your punishment revoked."

I took the paper and skimmed it.

It was an 800-word essay. The highlight reel read:

"I admit to systematically harassing Liam Sterling through inappropriate means, causing severe distress to his personal and academic life."

"I have deeply realized the severity of my mistakes."

I folded the paper neatly and shoved it into my pocket.

Mia let out a sigh of relief.

"So, you're posting it tonight?"

"No."

"Then why did you take it?"

"As a souvenir."

"Chloe had someone stay up all night writing this..."

"The prose is excellent."

I paused.

"But I will not admit to a single word of something I never did."

Mia's face instantly dropped.

She pulled out her phone and furiously typed a message.

Ten seconds later, Chloe’s reply popped up on her screen.

I saw it plain as day.

[Then don't blame me. Tomorrow, when Liam gets back, I'll make him tell the whole school to her face that he doesn't even know her.]

I stared at that line of text for three seconds.

Doesn't know me?

If he actually dares to say he doesn't know me tomorrow.

I will call Grandma on speakerphone.

Let's see what happens first: his social execution, or Grandma's flying sandal making contact with his skull.