Chapter 60

Chapter 60:

Mabel’s heart pounded in her chest, and her knees threatened to give way beneath her.

Pressed against the wall, she was overwhelmed by anxiety.

The door to Damian’s office was left slightly ajar—just enough for Mabel to hear every word exchanged between him and Fernanda inside.

Damian glanced at the USB drive in Fernanda’s hand, his gaze lingering for a moment before taking it and plugging it into his computer.

As he examined its contents, he adjusted his glasses, his expression growing more serious.

With his background in both literature and computer science, Damian quickly identified unmistakable signs of tampering in the university’s system.

“This…” he murmured, barely audible, “how could something like this have happened?”

“It’s hard to believe something like this could occur at Esaham University,” Fernanda said calmly. “I chose to take the entrance exam here because I admired the academic atmosphere and respected its prestigious history. I never imagined I’d uncover something like this. Now I’m wondering if it’s just a system error—or if someone deliberately manipulated the results.”

The night before, Fernanda had recalled a conversation at a party where Ava casually mentioned her aunt was a professor at Esaham University.

Fernanda couldn’t ignore the growing suspicion that Ava’s aunt might be involved.

How could it be that only her grades had been altered, while everyone else’s remained untouched?

Damian spoke firmly, trying to reassure her.

“Rest assured, Fernanda. We’ll investigate this thoroughly and uncover the truth.”

“That’s reassuring,” Fernanda replied coolly.

Outside the office, Mabel’s legs finally gave out. As she sank to the floor, she leaned against the wall, her breaths short and uneven.

She couldn’t bear to imagine what might happen if the truth came to light.

Expulsion from Esaham University, stripped of her title, blacklisted from the academic world—her career would be finished.

Teaching at Esaham had brought Mabel honor, status, and respect. Losing all of that was unthinkable.

When she made the decision to alter the records, she had never once considered the possibility of being discovered.

How had Fernanda even thought to check her grades? How had she uncovered the tampering?

Mabel’s mind spiraled into chaos, thoughts racing so fast they threatened to snap her composure.

Trembling, she fumbled for her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she found Ava’s number. She hovered over the screen, unsure whether to make the call.

If the truth came out, perhaps she could ask her brother to intervene. He had a strong connection with Damian. In fact, it was thanks to her brother that she had even secured her teaching position at Esaham University.

If things got worse, she could always find someone to take the fall—someone expendable, far removed from her. With her brother’s influence, Damian might just agree to quietly bury the matter.

That thought alone was enough to ease the tight knot in her chest.

Inside the office, Damian looked up.

“We’ll investigate this thoroughly,” he assured. “Fernanda, you should head home for now. By tomorrow, we’ll provide you with an explanation.”

Mabel exhaled a long, shaky breath of relief.

Worried that she might run into Fernanda on the way out, she slipped away quickly.

But Fernanda didn’t move.

“In fact, the investigation is quite straightforward,” she said, her tone cool and composed. “By reviewing the backend login IP and checking the timestamps—from when the scores were entered to when they were posted—it’s easy to identify who made the changes.”

Her gaze drifted subtly toward the door before continuing,

“Each teacher’s computer is tied to a unique IP address. It’s all traceable. If you’re serious about the investigation, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”

She tilted her head slightly, the faintest smile curving her lips as she looked at Damian.

“Why not check it now?”

Damian removed the USB drive slowly and set it on the desk. He folded his hands and looked over his glasses, eyes sharp and calculating.

“I’ve already assured you, Fernanda, that I will investigate this,” Damian said, his tone growing more serious, his patience beginning to fray. “Do you really need to watch me do it right now?”

“That’s exactly what I want,” Fernanda replied, her smile unchanged. “I happen to know a thing or two about computers. If you run into any problems, I can help sort them out. What do you think?”

“This is my job, Fernanda,” Damian said, his voice edged with irritation. “I’ve already promised that by tomorrow, you’ll have your answer. Don’t you trust us?”

“I trust only what I see with my own eyes,” Fernanda said firmly, placing her hand on the desk and meeting his gaze head-on. “So, Mr. Castro, will you investigate now, or should I use your computer and handle it myself?”

Fernanda could have checked the IP address herself the night before, but she had chosen not to. It was safer if Damian discovered the information himself—avoiding any claims that she had tampered with the data.

“Are you threatening me?” Damian’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. “This isn’t how a student should speak or behave.”

“No,” Fernanda said, her smile still in place. “I just want to see you uncover who’s responsible. How could that be a threat?” Her tone turned cold and precise. “I’m someone who seeks justice. Whoever altered my grades, I’ll find them. If I don’t see the process myself, how can I be sure you won’t pin the blame on someone else?”

Damian stood up abruptly, his voice rising with authority.

“Fernanda, watch your tone! You’re questioning the integrity of Esaham University—and me!”

“I’ve already told you,” Fernanda responded coolly, unmoved by his anger, “I only trust myself.” Her eyes sharpened. “I’m giving you two options.”

She raised two fingers, her tone icy and deliberate.

“One, you investigate right now and identify the person responsible. Two, I leave, and by this afternoon, the story of grade tampering at Esaham University will be on every major news outlet. I’ll find the culprit either way. But if it goes public, the damage to your school’s reputation will be far worse. So, Mr. Castro—what sounds better to you?”

Damian slowly removed his glasses, eyes still locked on hers. In all his years as an educator, he had never met a student who dared to speak to him with such unwavering boldness.

“Don’t you fear that I could cancel your admission?” Damian said, gesturing toward the USB drive on the table. “Fernanda, consider this carefully. If you decide to make a big deal out of the situation, you may end up facing consequences as well.”

“Actually—”

Fernanda began, but the sudden ringing of Damian’s phone interrupted her.

At that exact moment, a knock sounded at the office door.

Damian glanced at his phone, his eyes widening slightly when he saw the caller ID—Ector.

He quickly remembered that Ector was Fernanda’s brother, a detail that had slipped his mind in the heat of the moment.

The door opened, and the firm, steady sound of leather shoes echoed across the office floor.

Fernanda turned her head, caught completely off guard.

The person walking in was… Cristian.

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