The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 931

“Dr. Cole’s book isn’t something just anyone can get. There’s no way a freshman like Shirley, with zero connections, could get her hands on it.”

“Exactly. And some of the questions on the test came straight from Dr. Cole’s newest research, stuff that hasn’t even been published yet.”

“Even Mr. Lane doesn’t have a copy. How could Shirley possibly get one? Are we supposed to believe Dr. Cole handed it to her personally?”

“Mr. Lane has been Dr. Cole’s follower for years and has never even met her face to face. But Shirley knows her? That’s just ridiculous.”

“Shirley had to know the answers ahead of time. So where did she get them?”

Someone said it out loud, and suddenly everything clicked for the crowd. All eyes shifted to Mr. Lane, cautious and suspicious.

They had already thought it was odd when Shirley became Mr. Lane’s last student. It was even weirder when she beat out so many talented upperclassmen to make it to the finals. Now she had a perfect score. It was just too much to believe.

The exam was put together by a team Mr. Lane organized himself, and only those people knew the answers. If Mr. Lane wanted Shirley to win, it wouldn’t be hard for him to give her a few hints.

No one dared to say it directly, but the suspicion in the room was obvious. It was all pointing at Mr. Lane now.

He picked up on it right away. His face turned cold as he stared at Beck. “Are you accusing me of helping my own student by giving her the answers?”

Beck’s hands tightened into fists. “I’m not doubting you, sir. But for a competition this important, everyone needs to be able to trust the results.”

“Shirley, can you explain how you knew about Dr. Cole’s unpublished work?” His tone was sharp, pressing her for answers.

Mr. Lane knew Shirley’s abilities. He knew she worked hard, and he didn’t believe for a second that she’d cheat. Still, he hesitated.

“Trying to buy time?” Beck cut her off, watching her closely with a mocking smile. “Shirley, do you really think we’re all idiots? You have that book? Who gave it to you? Was it Dr. Cole herself?”

Does she even hear herself?

Olivia, watching Shirley’s face, played with her fingers and let out a taunting laugh. “See? She can’t talk her way out of this.”

“She’ll say anything. What a joke.”

“Now she’s not just ruining herself, she’s dragging down Mr. Lane too. What a disaster.”

Shirley had never been good at arguing. Even when she was right, fighting back always made her want to cry. Now, with what felt like a hundred pairs of eyes locked on her, she felt even smaller.