Back to the Past: The Rise of the False Heiress Marrying the True Tycoon

Chapter 1014  We're More Like Enemies

Outside the examination room, Gong Zhan led his patrol team, who had noticed the commotion coming from within. The group moved closer, their curiosity piqued.

Whispers quickly spread among them—wasn't this the room where Vice-Captain Gong's former fiancée and his current wife were taking their exams? Yesterday, Lin Miao had already stirred the pot by reporting someone for cheating, earning the teacher's praise.

And now, yet another uproar? What could possibly have happened this time?

Gong Zhan stopped just outside the door, his sharp gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. He arrived just in time to catch Gu Zi's composed yet indignant words, "Teacher, I didn't help anyone cheat. Lin Miao is from Guangwai, and I'm from Renhe. Our schools have always been rivals. Why would I help someone from Guangwai cheat?"

The teacher hesitated, her brows furrowing in thought. What Gu Zi said made sense—Guangwai and Renhe's rivalry was no secret. As an educator, she was well aware of the deeply rooted tensions between the two institutions.

Just as the teacher was starting to lean toward Gu Zi's explanation, Wang Qiang interjected, her voice dripping with accusation, "Gu Zi, stop trying to talk your way out of this! Don't think I don't know the truth. You and Lin Miao are sisters! Your adoptive parents are her biological parents. And let's not forget, Lin Miao's been to prison. Her character is already questionable—it's no surprise she'd cheat. And you? Helping her is just as bad!"

Wang Qiang's smug tone turned heads. Most people hadn't been privy to such explosive gossip until recently, when rumors about Lin Miao's criminal past started circulating on campus. Wang Qiang, ever the opportunist, had done her research and was now using it to her advantage.

Lin Miao, sitting stiffly in her seat, felt her cheeks burn with shame and fury. Her face turned crimson, as if someone had painted it with bright red pigment. She glared daggers at Wang Qiang, her chest heaving with barely contained rage.

So, Wang Qiang had known about her past all along and had chosen this moment to air her dirty laundry? How despicable!

Lin Miao couldn't understand why Wang Qiang bore such a grudge. When she first joined the class, she had gone out of her way to ingratiate herself with her peers, spending money on snacks and small gifts for them. And yet, here she was, betrayed and humiliated.

Wang Qiang wasn't just a snake; she was a venomous viper, biting without warning or remorse.

The students around them stared wide-eyed, the revelations leaving them stunned. Even the teacher, who had been trying to piece together the situation, found her focus shattered. She turned back to Gu Zi, her expression uncertain.

"So, you and Lin Miao are non-biological sisters?" the teacher asked. "And yet, you claim you didn't help her cheat?"

Gu Zi shrugged, her tone nonchalant but firm. "That's correct. I am, indeed, the adopted daughter of Lin Miao's biological parents. But calling us 'sisters' would be a stretch. If anything, we're more like enemies. Isn't that right, Lin Miao?"

The room fell silent as everyone's attention swung to Lin Miao, who looked utterly caught off guard. Gu Zi didn't give her a chance to respond.

"When we were children, our families discovered we'd been switched at birth. Lin Miao went back to her biological parents, and I returned to mine. But that's when the trouble began. Lin Miao and her parents conspired to send me to the countryside to marry in her place. Thanks to them, I became the stepmother of three kids. Oh, and let's not forget, Lin Miao also stole three thousand yuan of betrothal money, which led to my biological parents being ostracized by our village. My family fell apart because of her."

Gu Zi's voice remained calm, almost detached, but every word was like a blade slicing through the air. "I don't just dislike Lin Miao—I loathe her. And yes, Wang Qiang is right about one thing: Lin Miao did go to prison. I reported her for stealing that money. On the day of her wedding, she was arrested. How much she hates me, I can't say. But helping her cheat? That's absolutely impossible."

Her gaze shifted to Wang Qiang, now visibly flustered. "Wang Qiang, is it? If you're going to fabricate accusations, at least do your homework. You lumped me and Lin Miao together without any real understanding and accused us of cheating. That's quite the joke."

Gu Zi's composure was unnerving. She seemed like an unaffected observer recounting a story, but in reality, she was hyper-aware of the precariousness of her situation. Unlike Lin Miao, who had the male lead Gong Zhan as her shield, Gu Zi knew she had no such safety net. If she didn't clear her name now, her downfall would be swift and merciless.

The room buzzed with disbelief. Most of the students were too shocked to process the details, their wide-eyed expressions betraying their astonishment. Lin Miao, however, looked as though she might combust on the spot. Gu Zi's revelations had obliterated whatever shred of reputation she had left.

Wang Qiang, sensing the tide turning against her, panicked. In a desperate bid to regain control, she pointed an accusatory finger at Gu Zi. "I see what's going on now. That paper ball—you threw it to Lin Miao to frame her! I'm so sorry, Lin Miao. I misunderstood you earlier. It's all Gu Zi's doing!"