Jasper Cheng's Scheme
Without her mask, Lily Evans (as Professor Jade Evans) didn’t go to class at the Royal Academy of Mathematics. Instead, she handed out a test paper for the students to work on during class—just a little pop quiz.
Meanwhile, Lily herself stayed home to rest and sort through some business matters from the past few days.
Outside the gates of the Royal Academy of Mathematics.
Jasper Cheng, ever persistent and always plotting, arrived again with his household servants.
“You scholars need to quit pretending you’re above it all—who doesn’t love money? I brought cash, so why can’t I enroll? And don’t tell me you little lackeys get the final say. I demand to see Dean Jade Evans in person!” Jasper Cheng barked at the gate, acting like a stubborn stray dog.
“We’ve told you, you don’t meet the entrance requirements. Why do you keep coming back? Go on, get out! No matter how much money you bring, we’re not letting you in!” the gatekeeper retorted.
Jasper Cheng cursed under his breath, spouting all sorts of foul language. The Cheng Matron was even more outrageous—using her status as a woman to intimidate the staff, puffing herself up and edging closer to the gatekeeper, as if daring anyone to lay a finger on her.
The poor gatekeeper, faced with a brash older woman pressing herself against him, recoiled in discomfort. Jasper seized the moment, grabbed Cynthia Green, and dashed into the academy.
“Don’t go in! Quick, stop them!” the gatekeeper shouted, trying to give chase, but the Cheng Matron blocked his way.
The Cheng Matron struck a fierce pose, hands on hips and chest out. “Boy, if you so much as touch me, I’ll march straight to the authorities and accuse you of indecency!”
The gatekeeper was nearly in tears. This ferocious, ugly woman was enough to kill his appetite for days—what kind of heroics could he muster against that?
In the blink of an eye, Jasper Cheng dragged Cynthia Green through the academy gates and vanished from sight.
The academy wasn’t like the prince’s manor—its security was much more relaxed. Jasper Cheng managed to sneak Cynthia Green all the way to Jade Evans’s courtyard with surprising ease.
Jasper Cheng glanced around furtively, making sure no one was nearby, then whispered to Cynthia Green, "Cynthia, do you remember everything I told you before?"
Cynthia Green looked like she was about to burst into tears, clutching Jasper Cheng's sleeve. "Young Master, please, don't make me do this... I'm your woman!"
Jasper Cheng grew impatient and slapped Cynthia hard across the face. "What nonsense are you spouting? Did you forget everything I told you? If I can’t get into the academy, it’s all your fault for messing up! Just do as we planned—run into Jade Evans’s room, strip off your clothes, and throw yourself at him. Then shout for help, claim he assaulted you. I’ll be outside to call the crowd over. Got it?"
Cynthia Green sobbed, clutching her face where Jasper had slapped her. "But Young Master, if I do this, my body will be seen by another man! I'm your woman—how can I show myself to someone else? How am I supposed to live after that?" She whimpered, but didn't seem to think the slap was anything unusual, as if it happened all the time.
Smack!
Jasper Cheng dealt another slap, his anger boiling over. "Cynthia, are you trying to defy me? If you don’t do as I say, how am I supposed to catch Jade Evans in a scandal and force him to let me enroll? So what if someone else sees your body—you’re just a servant, not some noble lady! If you mess this up, I’ll beat you to death! Now go!" Cynthia’s cheeks burned, tears streaming down her face, but she nodded, too afraid to defy Jasper.
Jasper Cheng shoved Cynthia Green toward the courtyard, his face full of threat and warning. Cynthia shrank back in fear, head lowered, dragged along unwillingly as Jasper forced her inside.