Mr. Thompson: “What if she gets angry?”
Mr. Davies: “What can she do? She has to take
the SATs.”
Mr. Davies (after a pause): “I checked. She’s
nobody. Her parents might complain, but
they’re just ants. You think I’m scared of
them?”
The recording ended. The last sentence echoed through the auditorium. The administrators‘ faces turned purple.
Mr. Davies sputtered, “That recording! It’s illegal!”
He met my dad’s icy gaze and wilted.
My dad said coldly, “Ants?”
“No, sir, that’s not what I meant! The
recording…”
11 A
:lla falan That
<
“Are you saying it’s fake? That my daughter is
lying?”
The administrators‘ faces turned even paler as
my dad acknowledged me as his daughter.
My dad continued, “My daughter didn’t use any
family connections. She earned everything
herself. She didn’t deserve early admission?”
Mr. Davies was almost in tears. “No, sir! Of
course she did! If I’d known she was your
daughter…”
“So you’d have cheated someone else?”
I mentally high–fived my dad. The
administrators stared at him, speechless. They
were probably regretting ever crossing me.
Reporters were present. They sensed a story.
News of the recording and the online rumors
spread like wildfire. I revealed their plot to
<
frame me. Public opinion swung in my favor.
“Katie was the victim!”
“Disgusting behavior from the school.”
“What if this happened to my child?”
“Those people should be fired!”
“Good thing Katie has a powerful family.”
“Hope they get what they deserve!”
I didn’t have to do anything. My sister–in–law
gave me daily updates. “An investigation has
been launched.” “Ashley Parker’s SAT scores
are void. She’s banned for three years.” “The
school lost the lawsuit. Jail time is likely.”
Just before college started, the verdict came
down. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
<
My dad finally cornered me. “What did you
apply for?”
I mumbled, “Uh…”
He raised an eyebrow. “Business
management?”
I cringed. “Music.”
I looked at him nervously, then at my brother for
help.
My brother coughed. “Dad, I can handle the
business. Katie really loves music, so…”
“Shut up.” My dad looked at me. “Do you
remember what you told me three years ago, on
your first day of high school?”
I sighed. “Yes.”
I gathered my courage. “I did everything I
<
644
promised. If you’re still angry, I can study both music and business management.”
He suddenly reached out. I flinched. He ruffled
my hair. “I saw your hard work, your restraint.
You can achieve anything you set your mind to, in any field.”
His eyes glistened. “My little girl is all grown up. I’m so proud.”
“So…” I said hopefully.
“Pursue your passion. Follow your dreams.”
Everyone relaxed.
“I hope one day you’ll be a world–renowned
musician,” my dad said. “And never regret following your heart.”
