A Beauty With Multiple Masks
“Quantum mechanics isn‘t within their scope of studies, to begin with, so it wouldn‘t be surprising if she‘s
unable to deliver the right answers to your questions,” said Arthur, who did his best to remonstrate on her
behalf.
Donovan raised a questioning eyebrow. “If that‘s the case, how would you explain away her ability to
answer those questions in the papers then?”
“I…” Arthur was stumped momentarily there and could only look pleadingly to Marcus. “Mr. Brown…”
Marcus, on the other end, nodded in affirmation. “So be it. This would seem to be the only way to
establish whether she cheated. If she was able to answer the questions pertaining to quantum
mechanics on Mr. Baxter‘s paper, then she should likewise be able to respond accordingly when queried
on it.”
The thrilled Donovan then turned to regard Arthur. “Since the principal himself has put it that way, what
other objections do you have, Professor Sleight?”
“I‘ve no objections. However, the questions to be posed must not be harder than those presented in the
paper,”
Arthur replied under gritted teeth.
“Rest assured that I‘ve got a handle on it.”
“Alright then. We can move ahead with this.”
Arthur left it at that, as facts trumps rhetoric.
“Since there are no further objections, that settles it.
You‘ve already expended enough of your lesson time, Mr. Baxter, so you should head on back to class.
Seeing that you‘ve no classes scheduled in the afternoon, Professor Sleight, kindly help to put the results
up on the bulletin board.”
Arthur nodded before he hesitated to ask, “About Arielle‘s results…”
“You should put them up first as the results slip would only be displayed for one day. Otherwise, wouldn‘t
she lose this chance to demonstrate her capability even if she was able to prove that she earned it
through her own merits afterward? The mission of our school has always been to discover and showcase
the best of our students.”
“Yes, I understand,” Arthur affirmed. He then bumped Donovan on the way out.
The latter‘s brows knotted while he rubbed his own shoulder. “Don‘t you think Professor Sleight‘s
showing a little too much favor toward Arielle, Mr. Brown?”
Marcus then regarded Donovan staidly. “I feel as he
does. If Arielle had indeed attained full marks for all four subjects by her own efforts, then it‘s
Jadeborough University‘s great privilege to have a student like her. We should therefore be paying more
attention to her accordingly. Rather, it‘s you who seemed to harbor some serious biases toward her
which I hope you‘d endeavor to keep in check.”
Donovan gnashed his teeth, upset with himself for having misspoken.
“I’m going back to class.” He said no more and went on to make his way out.
On the other hand, it was the security guard who appeared to be quite bamboozled.
“What‘s really going on here, Mr. Brown?”
Marcus brushed him off. “It‘s nothing. You should get back to work.”
The security guard scratched his head, mystified by the group that arrived and then variously departed in
a huff.
Elsewhere, Wendy, in her position as the class representative who saw Arielle step in with more than half
the period gone, was about to go look for Donovan when Donovan himself walked in.
He glanced over to Arielle‘s desk and saw that the regular truant had shown up, in spite of the fact she
was hunched over the table, fast asleep.
Pursing his lips, that inexplicable feeling he had sprouted forth like a seedling.
He forced that matter regarding Queenie out of his mind and spoke in a bristled mood. “I‘m sorry for
coming in late as I was caught up in a meeting with the principal in his office. Right now, I have
something that I wish to share with all of you.”
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