**Four Days Until Mid-Term**
Emily arrived at the university early, before most students had filtered into the building. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of autumn leaves and fresh coffee from the campus café.
Jack had dropped her off at the main entrance without incident. The reporter frenzy had died down somewhat—yesterday's scandal was already being replaced by newer gossip, newer drama. That was the nature of public attention. Fleeting.
But Emily knew better than to assume the storm had passed completely.
She walked through the hallways with her bag slung over one shoulder, heading toward the library. She'd claimed a corner table there as her study space, and she planned to put in another few hours before her first class.
Four days until the mid-term. Four days to cement what she already knew, to review the material, to ensure there would be no mistakes.
Professor Chen expected her to fail.
She was going to prove him spectacularly wrong.
