Chapter 4

On the weekend break, I went back to my old place to visit Nana Sue. I didn't expect to run into Chloe at the edge of town.

Nana Sue warmly took Chloe's hand. "Came from the city? Had dinner yet? Why don't you come eat at our place?"

I was about to object, but Chloe already smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Nana Sue, I haven't eaten yet. I'm here for a community project, and I didn't expect to run into Jason."

Community project? I scoffed inwardly. Chloe hadn't completed a single volunteer hour without paying someone off in three years of college. How could she possibly be doing a community project?

On the way home, Nana Sue and Chloe chatted animatedly. Chloe was uncharacteristically well-behaved and attentive, asking Nana Sue about everything. Nana Sue beamed, praising her, "This girl is so thoughtful."

"Jason," Chloe suddenly said after dinner. "I have a research report for this community project that I need to write. You're a great writer, could you take a look?"

I was about to refuse, but Nana Sue spoke first. "Jason, your classmate came all this way, it's not easy. Help her out."

Seeing the expectant look in Nana Sue's eyes, I had no choice but to nod. A flicker of triumph in Chloe's eyes confirmed my suspicion: this was a trap.

I led Chloe to the small table in the backyard and asked coldly, "What do you really want?"

Chloe's expression immediately changed, her earlier sweetness gone. "I just wanted to see the famous Nana Sue," she said, glancing around the modest yard, a hint of disdain in her eyes. "So this is where you grew up."

I clenched my fists. "If you're here to insult me, you can leave now."

"Don't be so tense," she suddenly smiled again, pulling a USB drive from her bag. "I really do need your help. Blake is forcing me to submit an economics paper, due next Monday. You know I can't write it. Please help me, just this once."

"Why don't you ask Blake for help? Isn't he so capable?" I sneered.

A shadow crossed Chloe's eyes. "He... he's in a bad mood lately. Jason, just for Nana Sue's sake? She was so happy just now, if she knew you were so cold..."

She was using my Nana Sue against me! I took a deep breath, weighing my options. If I refused, she might cause a scene in front of Nana Sue. If I agreed... this was clearly a trap.

"Just this once," I finally conceded. "Leave the files, and I'll give it back to you tomorrow."

Chloe flashed a triumphant smile, pressing the USB drive into my hand. "I knew you were the best." She leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Don't tell Nana Sue about our 'little secret,' okay?"

The next morning, I finished revising the paper and was about to head to the local library to email it to Chloe. As I stepped out, I saw a black Mercedes pull up at the edge of town. The window rolled down, revealing Blake's detestable face.

"Nana Sue," Blake suddenly said, "Jason and I have a small academic disagreement. He thinks data can be freely altered, but I believe academic integrity is more important. What do you think?"

I stared at him in shock. What was he babbling about?

Nana Sue looked at me, puzzled. "Jason never lies, does he? Is there some misunderstanding?"

Blake sighed, pulled out his phone, scrolled a bit, then handed it to Nana Sue. "See, this is a paper Jason ghostwrote for someone else, and he even got paid for it. That's a serious disciplinary violation in college."

I leaned closer and saw it: on the screen was the very paper I'd revised last night, complete with my name as author and a screenshot of a transaction record! This was a complete frame-up!

"That's not true!" I snatched the phone. "Nana Sue, he's lying!"

Nana Sue looked at me, then at Blake, her eyes filled with confusion and worry. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Sam: "Emergency! Someone posted on the campus forum accusing you of long-term paid ghostwriting, with 'evidence' attached. The Dean's office is already investigating. Your MIT qualification might be canceled!"

I felt like I'd fallen into an ice abyss. So, this was their real objective.

Blake stood up, feigning concern.