Chapter 63: The Unexpected Return

The day of the entrance exam arrived with tension thick in the air. Feng Yue, sitting in the front row of the classroom, tapped her fingers impatiently on her desk, her eyes flicking constantly to the door. Her plan had been foolproof. By now, Feng Yan should have been kidnapped and safely out of the way. Missing an entrance exam would ruin Feng Yan's academic prospects, and Feng Yue had been counting on that.

But the minutes ticked by, and there was no sign of any call or confirmation from the people she hired. Anxiety gnawed at her, but she tried to remain calm, convincing herself that no news simply meant they were being cautious.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of the day, Feng Yue's heart skipped a beat. Her gaze remained fixed on the door. Then, to her horror, the door swung open, and Feng Yan entered the room, her steps light and composed. She moved with the same confidence she always carried, her expression calm and indifferent, as if nothing had happened.

Feng Yue's eyes widened in disbelief. Impossible, she thought, her mind racing. She should be missing!

Feng Yan, aware of Feng Yue's gaze, walked past her without a word. As she reached her seat, she glanced over her shoulder and locked eyes with Feng Yue, a sarcastic sneer playing on her lips. The mockery in Feng Yan's gaze was unmistakable, as if she knew exactly what Feng Yue had tried to do—and how miserably she had failed.

Feng Yue's heart dropped, her face draining of color. She quickly looked away, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the edge of her desk. She hadn't expected Feng Yan to return unscathed, let alone in time for the exam. The confidence she'd had just moments ago crumbled into panic. How had her plan failed?

Before she could dwell on it further, the teacher entered the classroom and called the students to the exam hall. Feng Yan stood up gracefully, her movements unhurried, while Feng Yue sat frozen in her seat, staring after her in stunned silence.

In the exam hall, Feng Yan took her place among the other students, her mind already shifting from Feng Yue's pitiful attempt to ruin her to the task at hand. The exam papers were distributed, and as soon as she laid eyes on the questions, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Passable, she thought, her confidence soaring. She had spent the past few days preparing thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned. Despite the chaos Feng Yue had tried to cause, it hadn't shaken her focus.

With practiced ease, she began writing her answers, her pen gliding smoothly across the paper. The questions, though challenging for some, posed no significant difficulty for her. She finished well before time and reviewed her answers twice before deciding there was nothing more to add.

With half an hour to spare, Feng Yan stood and walked up to the invigilator. She handed in her paper with a calm smile and left the room without a second thought. Her footsteps echoed in the quiet hall as she made her way back to the classroom.

When Feng Yue saw Feng Yan return so quickly, her jealousy flared into a burning rage. She clenched her fists under the desk, her nails digging into her palms. She finished early? Feng Yue's mind was racing with confusion and frustration. How was it possible? How had Feng Yan managed to not only avoid the kidnapping but also complete the exam with such ease?

Feng Yue's father had been explicit in his warnings—don't leave any trace, don't make any mistakes. He had drummed the lesson into her: profit and reputation were everything, even within the family. If Feng Yue succeeded, it would be beneficial for both of them. If she failed, he would cut her loose without hesitation.

Now, sitting in the classroom, her mind a storm of jealousy and regret, Feng Yue realized she might have made the biggest mistake of her life. She had underestimated Feng Yan. The plan had backfired spectacularly, and there was no undoing it.

Glancing once more at Feng Yan, who sat calmly at her desk, oblivious to the chaos she had caused in Feng Yue's heart, Feng Yue felt a sharp pang of regret. She had acted out of jealousy, driven by her father's insistent demands, but now she was trapped. If her father found out she had failed, he wouldn't hesitate to cast her aside.

The realization hit Feng Yue like a wave, and she fought to keep her emotions in check. She had no choice now but to watch and wait, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she had set a chain of events in motion that she could no longer control.

As Feng Yan continued with her day, calm and collected, Feng Yue sat in her seat, her mind swirling with fear and uncertainty.