Mr Yeardley dropped Riley and Felicia off at the university gates.
"Madam, someone will be waiting for you here later," he reminded gently. "Go ahead and register first. Your class is Year 16, Class 1. Don't lose your way there."
Riley nodded obediently. "Okay."
Then she hopped out of the car, hugging her bunny, and skipped straight into campus.
Behind her, Felicia struggled under the weight of the bags, panting heavily.
By the time she finally made it through the gates, Riley had already vanished.
But instead of being annoyed, a smug smile crept onto Felicia's face.
Perfect.
If that fool wandered off and got lost on her first day, she'd be late for registration—something the university strictly forbade.
In serious cases, it could even be treated as dishonesty and lead to expulsion.
Especially since she hadn't gotten in the usual way.
All I need to do is push things a little—
And Riley would be kicked out of Imperial University in no time.
Then I would be the one rising from Centralia University to Imperial University.
The thought instantly lifted her mood.
Since she was putting on an act anyway, she might as well do it well.
She adjusted the heavy bags and headed toward the lecture hall, fully intending to "help" deliver Riley's things.
***
Meanwhile, the Riley who had "disappeared" walked straight to the academic administration building.
Inside, the university president and the dean were already waiting.
The moment she entered, they froze.
Then, recovering quickly, they stepped forward.
"Excuse me," Charles Langford said carefully, "are you… the visiting lecturer, Professor Cole, from Parkstone University?"
Riley nodded. "President Langford, Director Sutherland—hello. I'm Riley."
She shook hands with them, greeting them calmly.
Hank Sutherland glanced at her, his dissatisfaction obvious. "I was told Parkstone sent over a double PhD holder. Why is it… a girl barely in her twenties?"
Even President Langford looked uncertain.
He had assumed Riley was an assistant—someone sent ahead to assess the situation.
But her next words shattered that assumption completely.
"Director Sutherland," Riley said evenly, "I graduated from Parkstone University with dual doctorates in Computer Science and Finance, and I hold a professorship there. Do you have any objections?"
"What? You… you really are?"
"My credentials were transferred directly from Parkstone University. If you have any doubts, you're welcome to contact their academic office for verification."
Her tone was calm. Polite.
But not submissive.
She wasn't trying to please them.
This was confidence—confidence backed by her own ability.
She had every right to stand her ground.
Hank immediately placed an international call to Parkstone.
Fortunately, it was still afternoon there.
When he hung up, he gave President Langford a stiff nod.
It was true.
Riley was exactly who she claimed to be.
Now, the two men found themselves in a difficult position.
Originally, they had planned for this visiting professor to teach the incoming freshmen.
But now—
She looked barely twenty.
No experience.
No authority.
If word got out, no one would take her seriously.
Imperial University was one of the top institutions in Lumut, ranked among the top fifty in the world. Its students were all outstanding, handpicked from across the country.
If parents and students pushed back—
It wouldn't just cause trouble.
It could damage the university's reputation.