Half an hour before I receive my degree certificate, Lionel Simmons, my boyfriend as well as the class president, tells me that my graduation will be getting delayed because I need to retake my exam on a major course.

Meanwhile, Vivian Crosby, the campus belle who often ranks last in exams, is eligible to receive certifications on her courses.

Lionel quickly shields Vivian from me while looking very unapologetic.

"In this course, every class requires a certain quota when it comes to the retakes. Since Vivian has bad grades, there's no way she's passing the retake. That's why I submitted your name instead.

"Unlike you, Vivian doesn't have excellent grades and a boyfriend who actually gives a damn about you. Even if your graduation gets delayed, it won't affect our future plans at all. Amelia, you should make some sacrifices for your fellow classmate's sake."

After I strongly object against that decision, my classmates mock me for being petty and uncaring toward Vivian.

Fine. Since they obviously lack empathy for me, I don't hesitate to call my uncle, who's a member of the university board as well as one of the invigilators of the final exams.

"I got into the top three ranks of the final exams, and yet I can't graduate on time because I have to retake my final exam instead. Does this mean the remaining hundreds of students bribed you to not fail their exams instead?

"I want everyone's graduations to get delayed alongside mine in half an hour, no matter what!"

I never thought that with my grades, I'd ever have to take a makeup exam.

So, back when a Fortune 100 company asked when I could start, I told them the next day. And the whole time, Lionel Simmons knew that.

I stared at him coldly. "You knew I was supposed to report to work tomorrow with my degree certificate in hand, and you pull something like this?"

Lionel barely looked at me. "It's not like you can't get it anymore. Stop making such a big deal out of it. It's just a makeup exam. You'll pass easily. I believe in you."

I was speechless at how casually he said it. I rebutted, "You changed my grades without my permission. Is this really about a makeup exam? I'm starting work tomorrow. How am I supposed to explain not having my degree certificate?"

He sighed, somewhat irritated. "I'm your boyfriend. Can't I make a decision about something this minor? If you're really that capable, you won't need a degree certificate anyway. Who knows if you exaggerated your qualifications to them in the first place?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Vivian Crosby tugged on my sleeve. "Amelia, we're still students. You shouldn't be so obsessed with fame and fortune.

"I've looked at your résumé. Those innovation competitions and entrepreneurship awards you listed, the official websites don't even list your name. They'll definitely expose you. Lionel was only trying to save you from embarrassing yourself. Instead of appreciating his good intentions, you're blaming him?"

I was stunned for a moment. Every one of those awards had been earned fair and square. I had used my former name because I preferred to keep a low profile. And the people who handed out those awards were longtime business partners and family friends. They all knew exactly who I was.

I shook her hand off in disgust. "Stop acting innocent when you're benefiting from this. Was this really about saving me from embarrassment, or about making sure you graduate smoothly?"

Vivian's slender hand stiffened midair. Her eyes reddened as she looked at me pitifully. "That's not it. You've misunderstood. I…"

Before she could finish, Lionel stepped in protectively in front of her. "Enough! Amelia Wood, can you stop with this ridiculous jealousy? I'm not just your boyfriend. I'm everyone's friend. I have a responsibility to help any classmate who needs it!

"Do you know what'll happen if Vivian doesn't get her degree? Her parents will marry her off to some old bachelor. What's wrong with you sacrificing a little for someone else's future? Since when did you become so selfish?"

I met Vivian's guilty eyes.

I was a student council representative. When Vivian transferred into our program, I had already looked into her family background. They might not be wealthy, but she was an only child, and her parents treated her very well.

I had mentioned all this to Lionel before. But in the end, he still chose not to believe me.

Instead, every time Vivian played the victim, he accused me of becoming cold-hearted out of jealousy because he paid too much attention to her.

Several of our classmates gasped when they heard Vivian's story, immediately offering help.

"Don't worry. We're not heartless like certain people!"

Vivian looked up, a trace of provocation hidden in her smile. "Thank you, everyone. But please don't say that. This is my own problem after all. I can't force anyone to help me."

The classroom quickly filled with sarcastic comments about how I was nowhere as generous or resilient as Vivian, and how I lacked Lionel's compassion and sense of responsibility.

I couldn't be bothered arguing with this group of idiots. Right now, the only thing that mattered was my job.

I had promised my mother that I would start from the bottom, gain experience, and eventually take over the family company my late father had left behind.

Thinking of that, I immediately called the company to explain the situation with my degree certificate.

But unexpectedly, I was scolded. "This morning, someone told me that your grades were terrible, that you failed classes, that your résumé was fake, and that those awards weren't even yours. I didn't believe it at first.

"But now, I get it. You've been lying to me from the start! If you can't even get your degree certificate, what abilities could you possibly have? Our company will never hire someone who falsifies their qualifications."

Before I could explain, he angrily hung up.

A nameless rage burned in my chest as I looked up at Lionel.

At that moment, Vivian's phone rang. I saw the familiar company name and number on her screen, and a bad feeling crept over me.

That company had only recruited one person from our university. And during the interviews, I had been the only applicant from our school.

Very quickly, the exact same voice came through the phone. "Our company appreciates people who fight hard for opportunities. So, after careful consideration, we've decided to hire you. When would you be available to start?"

Vivian looked around excitedly. "This afternoon! As soon as I get my degree certificate, I can report in."

"Great. See you this afternoon."

After hanging up, Vivian gazed at Lionel affectionately. "Lionel, thank you for lending me Amelia's résumé and helping me fight for this opportunity. I'm truly grateful."

She then turned to me with a guilty expression and said, "I'm really sorry. You have to take the blame and sit for the makeup exam because of my degree certificate, and now I even took your job opportunity. I hope you won't hold it against me.

"Once you pass the makeup exam, I'll recommend you to the company and see if they can let you start as an intern."

Lionel glanced at me dismissively. "Don't bother with her. She can do whatever she wants. Besides, being able to contribute something to you is her privilege. You earned this yourself by being amazing."

I was so furious that I wanted to scream. Those were things I had worked my butt off for.

I slapped Lionel across the face. "What right do you have to decide for me? You stole my work to make her look good, and you have the nerve to speak? So much for worrying about getting exposed."

Lionel was stunned for a moment, suppressing the anger in his gaze. He barked, "Your achievements were all fake. If you can use them, why can't she? Can you stop being so petty? All you ever think about is tearing her down!"

I glared at him. "Who said they were fake…"

"Enough. Don't argue with me. Do you think I wouldn't know the truth? I'm your boyfriend. In the future, you'll be marrying into my family. You should start listening to me sooner rather than later.

"What does a woman need a good career for? All you need to worry about is staying at home and taking care of your husband and kids. I'll support you in the future. Isn't that easier than struggling on your own? I've already planned everything out for you. What more do you want?"

Before I could speak, others immediately started flattering him.

"Amelia, you should appreciate what you have. Lionel is such a catch. If you keep acting this immature, he could dump you anytime."

"It's such a shame. If Vivian had transferred here earlier, someone as amazing as Lionel never would've dated you in the first place."

I looked at Lionel, basking in everyone's praise, and laughed in disbelief.

"Don't flatter yourself. I was only dating you for fun. As for marriage, I already have someone else in mind."

Lionel's smile froze as he stared at me in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

Yes, we had agreed to get engaged after graduation. But ever since Vivian slowly started intruding into our lives, everything had changed.

If she said she was scared to be alone, Lionel would abandon me in the middle of the street on our anniversary just to comfort her.

Once, I called him crying after being harassed by a drunk man, and all he gave me was an impatient, "Can you stop copying other people for attention?"

And during a rainstorm, because he worried Vivian would get soaked on her way home from her part-time job, he took the only umbrella I had and left me stranded in the pouring rain, unable to get a cab no matter how hard I tried.

I ended up with a high fever so bad that I nearly blacked out. When he came home, not only did he show zero concern for me, but he actually dragged me out of bed to make ginger tea for Vivian who'd only gotten drizzled on slightly. And he still accused me of being dramatic and spoiled.

There had been too many moments like that. I should've realized sooner that there was no place for me in his heart anymore.

I looked at him calmly. "I mean exactly what I said. You're not worthy of my love."

The room instantly fell silent. No one dared to speak.

Suddenly, Vivian fell to her knees, looking pitiful. "This is all my fault. I was the one who begged Lionel for help. He was only trying to be kind. Please don't break up with him, okay? He really loves you. He's already planned out your entire future for you. Please!"

Lionel snapped to his senses and hurried to help her up. He said to me, "I'm really disappointed in you."

The moment he said that, criticism exploded all around me.

"It's just a delayed graduation. Your grades are so good. It's not like you won't pass the makeup exam. Do you really need to make such a big scene over this?"

"Yeah. If you're so capable, what's the big deal about giving up one job opportunity? Stop making a mountain out of a molehill."

"She's about to get sold off to some old man, and all you care about is graduating. How can you be so selfish? You deserve to be shipped off to the mountains. Disgusting!"

Everyone chimed in one after another, throwing vicious jabs at me.

I looked at their righteous expressions and sneered coldly. "You all love to talk big without understanding the facts, huh? You love standing up for justice on behalf of others? Fine. Then let's all delay graduation together."

As I spoke, I immediately called my uncle. "I want a satisfactory explanation for my delayed graduation. You have 30 minutes."

My uncle clearly had no idea what had happened. He paused for a second before answering seriously.

After hanging up, I didn't want to look at their smug faces for another second. I turned to leave, but Lionel blocked my way.

"The degree certificate arrangements have already been finalized. Even if you go looking for someone, it won't change anything. Stop ruining everyone's mood and stay for dinner."

I looked at him with amusement. "You never know."

Several students with poor grades immediately looked uneasy. "What does that mean?"

Vivian looked at them pitifully. "She's just angry and trying to scare everyone on purpose. She wants you all to panic and push the blame onto me."

Lionel snorted. "Don't worry. No matter what she says, none of us will throw you under the bus! Besides, I've dated her for years. I've never heard of her having any relatives on the school board. She's obviously lying."

Hearing that, everyone visibly relaxed, and the hostility in their eyes toward me only deepened.

"Don't worry, Vivan. We won't let you suffer either. Someone like Amelia, always pretending and scheming, will definitely become a menace once she enters society."

I just smiled silently as they spoke with such confidence.

Lionel pulled me back into my seat and told everyone to relax and have fun. Then, he handed them the menu and told them to order whatever they wanted.

I had planned to leave. But hearing them call me petty and emotionally unintelligent changed my mind. I wanted to see the looks on their faces later when they had neither money nor degree certificates.

I watched as Lionel grew more and more generous in response to everyone's praise. With a wave of his hand, he ordered seafood platters, oysters, and other premium dishes for everyone without hesitation.

He certainly didn't hold back.