Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 23

**Where Falling Leaves Whisper Stories Written In Silence by Ryn Jace Reed**
**Chapter 23**

My heart raced furiously in my chest, each beat echoing my mounting anxiety. The thought of admitting to plagiarism felt like a death knell for my academic reputation, yet how could I possibly confess that I was Aurora? The weight of my secret pressed heavily upon me.

“Professor, I can see how this situation appears,” I began, carefully choosing my words. “But I assure you, I did not plagiarize anyone’s work. This code is entirely my own creation.” My voice wavered slightly, but I fought to keep it steady.

He leaned back in his chair, disappointment etched across his face like a shadow. “Ms. Gray, these algorithms are of a caliber typically found in the industry. It’s hard to believe that an undergraduate student could—”

“Challenge me,” I interjected, my voice firmer than I felt. “Right here, right now. Present me with any algorithm problem you choose. I’ll prove my capabilities.” The challenge hung in the air, a dare that pulsed with my desperation.

Professor Parker scrutinized me for what felt like an eternity, his brow furrowing in thought. Finally, he nodded slowly. “Very well. If you can solve this problem within thirty minutes, I will reconsider my stance.”

He turned to the whiteboard mounted on the wall of his office, his marker moving swiftly as he inscribed a complex algorithm challenge—one that would leave most professional programmers scratching their heads in confusion. I took a seat at his spare computer, acutely aware of Kate lurking just outside the door, her arms crossed tightly, radiating anticipation for my impending failure.

Time seemed to stretch as I focused intently on the screen, my fingers flying over the keyboard as I worked through the problem. Twenty minutes later, I leaned back, a sense of accomplishment washing over me. “Done,” I announced, a hint of pride slipping into my voice. “And I’ve devised two different solutions.”

The professor examined my work, his expression evolving from skepticism to genuine astonishment. “This… this is extraordinary problem-solving,” he finally said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

He turned to face me, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Ms. Gray, if you possess this level of talent, why would your homework submission bear such a striking resemblance to Aurora’s?”

I took a deep breath, carefully crafting my response. “I immerse myself in advanced coding techniques,” I replied, my words carefully chosen to skirt the truth. “It’s possible that I internalized certain approaches that have influenced my own style.”

He regarded me with an air of skepticism but eventually nodded slowly. “I will not pursue plagiarism charges, but I advise you to exercise caution in ensuring your work is genuinely original moving forward.”

From my position near the door, I could see Kate’s face twist in fury as she stormed away, her frustration palpable.

The remainder of the afternoon slipped by in a blur, my mind racing as I grappled with the near miss of exposing my hidden identity. By the time my last class concluded, I felt mentally drained, yet a flicker of excitement ignited within me at the thought of meeting Lily.

As evening descended, I arrived at our usual meeting spot a few minutes ahead of schedule, having requested Lily to come a bit earlier. The confrontation with the professor had left me feeling raw and frazzled, and I craved a moment to gather my thoughts and calm my racing heart.

“Hold on,” I instructed Devon, switching over to the new call. “Hello?”

A female voice, deliberately masked and chillingly calm, came through the line. “If you wish to see your little friend again, come to the abandoned amusement park. Alone.”

The call ended abruptly, leaving me stunned, my heart pounding against my ribs like a frantic drum as I sprinted to my motorcycle.

Twenty minutes later, I stood before the rusted gates of the abandoned amusement park, a “No Trespassing” sign creaking ominously in the breeze.

With a surge of adrenaline, I vaulted over the fence, landing silently on the other side. The air was thick with the scent of decay and rust, but beneath it, I caught a faint whiff of Lily’s familiar fragrance—subtle yet unmistakable.

My phone buzzed again with a chilling text: [Come to the carousel. If you call anyone, she dies.]

Fury and fear coiled within me as I clenched my fist around my phone, determination coursing through my veins. I steeled myself and walked deeper into the park, my heart racing as I approached the carousel looming ominously in the distance.