Chapter 9
The classroom fell into a deafening silence.
“Impossible!” Camden violently kicked over a chair. “She clearly…”
Valerie’s legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.
Just then, the classroom door swung open.
Jack stood in the doorway, impeccably dressed in his tailored suit. “Pardon the interruption.”
He nodded briefly to Principal Matthews, his gaze landing directly on me. “I’ve already received the
news. Valerie scored 1540, making her the valedictorian. It’s time to come home with me.”
Someone quickly corrected him: “Mr. Crawford, the state valedictorian is Riley Crawford with a perfect 1600!”
Jack’s expression momentarily froze.
“That’s impossible. She didn’t even take the exams. Are you sure there’s no mistake with the student
ID?”
Just as he finished speaking, his phone suddenly rang.
I glimpsed “Father” flashing on the screen.
Without hesitation, I snatched the phone. “Hello, Dad! My exam results are in–I’m valedictorian! Can you and Mom come to Westlake for the valedictorian parents‘ interview?”
There was a brief pause before Jack reclaimed his phone.
He exchanged a few words, his expression darkening.
As he ended the call, he said, “Alright, Riley and I will wait for you to arrive-”
His gaze involuntarily drifted toward Valerie, still slumped on the floor.
The “Crawford heiress” he had “selected” now stared up at him with a look of utter defeat.
33.33
Chapter 9
I reminded him: “By the way, don’t forget our bet. I won, so you have to bring Noah abroad with me, so we can both enjoy the Crawford family’s educational resources!”
Jack clenched his fist, visibly seething.
How laughable.
This adopted son truly believed he was the Crawford prince.
He’d meticulously found Valerie to replace me, all because he feared the real heiress returning would threaten his position.
“Riley…” Noah suddenly spoke up. “Could we possibly…”
“No,” I cut him off decisively. “Weren’t you the one who solemnly promised we’d attend the same
university? What’s changed? Having second thoughts about leaving now?”
Camden suddenly rushed forward: “Riley! You’ve gone too far this time. Why did you lie to us?
Valerie, she…”
“She what?” I sneered. “Didn’t she score an impressive 1540? With such brilliance, does she really need you lapdogs protecting her?”
The entire classroom fell silent.
The baby–switching drama was finally reaching its conclusion.
With the publicity of being valedictorian, I no longer feared Jack:
No matter how much power he wielded, he couldn’t forcibly abduct me.
Moreover, this rat couldn’t make a spectacle when he’d come to take me abroad under such
suspicious circumstances.
Two days later, Harmony House filled with media reporters.
Camera flashes illuminated my face.
Principal Matthews personally placed the “State Valedictorian” sash over my shoulder while Jack stood in the corner, his expression dark enough to form rain clouds.
Chapter 9
In my previous life, I’d left for Europe before the exams.
Completely cut off from information abroad, I knew nothing.
When I finally returned ten years later, I learned that when Valerie had become “valedictorian,” my birth parents had given a low–key media interview.
From that day forward, Valerie officially became the Crawford heiress.
Her proof? A DNA report from the London genetic testing facility–the premier laboratory my
parents had invested in building.
That’s why my parents believed her without question.
“Miss Crawford, could you share your study techniques?” A reporter thrust a microphone in my face.
I smiled into the camera: “I’m most grateful to my teacher, Dr. Harrison, and for my brother’s…
‘encouragement.“”
Jack’s knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists.
Just then, a commotion erupted at the school gates.
Two luxury vehicles pulled up slowly, and bodyguards respectfully opened the doors-
My birth parents had finally arrived.
