Chapter 77
Harvey opened his eyes and picked up his phone. The “Capitol Brotherhood” group chat, created by Niamh, had 99 + unread messages.
Although Niamh frequently filled the chat with endless banter alongside the other elite heirs of Capitol, Harvey had a strong feeling that today’s heated discussion was mostly about him.
He tapped into the chat. Someone had forwarded the ALI Math Competition preliminary rankings and tagged Niamh.
“The first–place winner… is your sister?”
“Niamh, your sister is this smart? Why have you never mentioned it?”
Some, clearly just there to stir the pot, took the chance to joke.
“Fresh off a divorce and already winning the country’s top math competition. Now, let’s hear from our very own ex -husband, @Harvey, any comments?”
At that moment, Niamh jumped in, tagging Harvey.
“Do you remember how Elara showed up with Theodore on the 7th? Well, the 7th was the same day as the ALI Math Competition prelims!”
She added, acting confused, “Wasn’t she supposed to have left Azure Shores that day? Didn’t you say you cut off her Internet access? Then where exactly did she find a connection to participate in the competition?”
Harvey replied, “She went to the Snapp residence. She was there the whole day.”
Niamh sent back a shocked emoji, followed by, “No way… She took the test at the Snapp residence?
“You do realize Tobias Snapp is the dean of Capitol University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science, right? This is looking way too suspicious…”
Niamh’s comment instantly shifted the conversation in the group chat in a different direction.
Someone speculated, “Wait… Could it be that Dr. Snapp was coaching Elara during the competition?”
Niamh replied, “Who knows! As far as I know, the ALI Math Competition is an online test. The rules allow contestants to look up reference materials online, but they can’t disclose the questions or discuss them with
anyone.
“But let’s be real, online competitions always have loopholes!”
The Capitol Brotherhood chat erupted into heated discussion.
“That must be it! She’s been a full–time housewife for seven years–there’s no way she remembers all that advanced math! She took the test at the Snapp residence… Tobias must have helped her cheat!”
Then, Niamh dropped another message.
“Oh! I just remembered–Dr. Snapp was actually Elara’s professor in college!”
Mere seconds later, she panicked and sent another message
“Damn it! I meant to retract that, but I hit delete instead!”
“I mean, would the dean of Capitol University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science really help a student cheat? That seems beneath him.”
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Chapter 77
What was said with intention lingered in the minds of those who read it. The chat quickly went silent–no one brought up Elara’s first–place ranking again.
A few moments later, Harvey’s phone rang. It was Niamh.
“Harvey, do you really think Elara could have cheated? I mean… She probably wouldn’t have the guts to pull something like that, right?”
She was testing his reaction.
Harvey’s voice was cold. “She even had the guts to divorce me, do you think she doesn’t have the guts to cheat?”
Niamh stifled a smirk. “So, you think she really did it?”
Harvey didn’t deny it. His tone carried disdain. “She’s craving fame and false prestige.”
He wasn’t just referring to Elara–his scorn extended to the Snapps. Tobias Snapp, the dean of Capitol University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science, was supposed to be an unshakable academic figure.
Yet, he had seemingly bent his principles to prop Elara up, placing her somewhere she never should have reached.
On the other end of the line, Niamh unexpectedly spoke in Elara’s defense.
“Maybe she just wanted to prove herself as quickly as possible. But she’s just a housewife–she probably doesn’t even realize the consequences of cheating in a national competition like this!”
They should let her make a fool of herself in front of the entire country.
Harvey thought to himself, “And now I won’t lift a finger to help her.”
At that moment, Cyrus walked in with a grim face. Harvey ended the call and set his phone down, waiting for his report.
Cyrus spoke in a heavy tone. “Mr. Fisher, Madam Fisher was taken away by the Prosecutor’s Office.”
