2/2
Chapter 26
Mia turned to see Lucy, who was felgning shock as she looked at her.
The forum says Sarah only has a high school diploma and used underhanded methods to get hired as our counselor. She’s less educated than any of us, and it’s embarrassing to be associated with someone like her!” Lucy shot Sarah a disdainful look, her
face full of arrogance.
Mia, fuming, was about to confront Lucy, but Sarah calmly stood up, placing herself between them. She faced Lucy with a steady gaze and asked evenly, “Was it you who started the forum post?”
Lucy didn’t flinch, even with her actions called out in front of everyone. Instead, she looked even more pleased with herself. “And
what if it was? Did I say anything that wasn’t true?”
She didn’t care that Mia knew she was behind it. Sarah hadn’t finished college, so calling her a high school graduate wasn’t a lie.
What was there to be afraid of?
Mia’s eyes were cold as she looked at her. “That post is getting a lot of attention. You might not realize that fabricating stories and defamation can have serious legal consequences…
The crowd’s attention shifted between the two, and the tension grew.
“Defamation?” Lucy scoffed, dismissive. “Tell me what’s false. That she only has a high school education or that she got her
position through special means? You seriously want us to believe she earned her way in?”
A high school graduate as a college counsellor? Impossible. And it was true that Sarah hadn’t officially graduated from college.
No one believed Sarah could provide any proof to shut Lucy down.
But then, in a firm voice, Sarah said, “I did.”
Everyone was stunned.
Lucy scowled, confused. “What did you just say?”
“I said, I earned this position legitimately.”
Sarah’s gaze was calm, her voice steady. “You’re right–I didn’t graduate or complete my studies here. I’m not technically a
college graduate…”
“Then how could you have earned this job?” Lucy pressed, gritting her teeth.
“Because…” Sarah looked straight at her, speaking slowly, “I’m technically still on academic leave.”
Academic leave?
Everyone was surprised. By the timeline, Sarah should have graduated long ago. The school didn’t allow anyone to take that long of a leave. Typically, exceeding the graduation period would mean expulsion.
1/2
At the time, I had some personal reasons that prevented me from graduating. The school made an exception and granted me an indefinite leave. My enrollment status remains active here… Part of the reason I’m back is to complete my Internship; the other is
to complete my degree.”
Her calm explanation left the crowd torn between belief and doubt. (1)
Lucy, however, couldn’t help but sneer. “Sarah, stop making things up. Everyone knows the school doesn’t make exceptions for anyone. Do you really think they’d let someone take that much time off as if they own the place…”
Before she could finish, a gasp came from the crowd.
“Oh my gosh! I know who she is! No wonder she looked so familiar!”
Everyone turned to see a girl with a round face looking at Sarah with excitement and awe.
“Sarah, are you the legend from the psychology department? The one who got near–perfect entrance scores, completed three years of coursework in one year with perfect grades, and successfully treated countless patients starting sophomore year!”
“I heard you never graduated, but all the professors have been waiting for you to return. I saw your photo in Professor Wells’s
office – I can’t believe you’re really back!”
