"Why should I apologize to you?"
"In that situation just now, I suspect it was only human nature to doubt you. Not just me, ask anyone else in the store, who wouldn't have doubted you?" Mrs. Harris snapped.
She had always been a haughty lady. She would rather die than apologize in public.
"I never doubted her before there was evidence," Dean Robinson interjected at the right moment.
Mrs. Harris's face changed. Her daughter was also in the first academy! Now Dean Robinson was speaking up for Hayley. If she persisted, she would probably leave a very bad impression on the other party. And if Dean Robinson had any opinions about her, her daughter would likely be affected.
Her relationship with her husband had been maintained until now, all thanks to her daughter. If her husband knew that she had influenced her daughter's future, she would be finished!
Thinking of the possible consequences, Mrs. Harris hesitated for a moment, but ultimately gritted her teeth and reluctantly looked at Hayley, saying, "I was wrong just now. I'm sorry!"
Madam Collins felt incredibly relieved to see Mrs. Harris, who had never cared for her, apologize for the first time. However, before she could even start to mock her, Dean Robinson's cold gaze suddenly fell on her:
"And you, as a mother, without any evidence, immediately accused your own daughter of stealing. Are you sure she is your biological child?"
"I…"
Madam Collins opened her mouth, wanting to explain.
But she saw Dean Robinson's serious face and for some reason, she couldn't speak.
Hayley glanced lightly at Madam Collins and Mrs. Harris, and lost interest in staying here.
"You can continue shopping. I'm going back."
After saying goodbye to Madam Collins, Hayley turned and left the jewelry store without waiting for a response.
When she arrived at the bus stop, a car suddenly stopped in front of her.
The car window rolled down, and Hayley saw Dean Robinson, whom she had met at the jewelry store.
"Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."
Hayley didn't hesitate and directly opened the back door of the car.
"55 Lotus Road, Nangang District."
She naturally knew that Dean Robinson wouldn't come to find her at this time just to give her a ride home.
Sure enough, as soon as she got in the car, Dean Robinson got straight to the point.
"Would you like to study at First Academy?"
"The First Academy probably wouldn't accept students who have been through juvenile detention," Hayley said.
Dean Robinson paused for a moment. He didn't know that Hayley had been through juvenile detention.
The First Academy was the best school in Pearl City, and many people begged him for a spot even if they had connections. Hayley, on the other hand, had offered herself up, and not only had she not tried to hide her past, but she had also told him directly.
Dean Robinson had originally been impressed by Hayley's hacking skills, but now he found himself appreciating her personality as well.
"To be honest, if I hadn't seen your skills, I wouldn't have given you a spot even if Madam Collins begged me," he said. "But after seeing how you performed at the jewelry store, I think you're worth giving a chance to enter the academy."
Although he didn't know why Hayley had been in juvenile detention, he valued talent.
As long as Hayley didn't make any more mistakes after entering the school, he wouldn't care about her past experiences.
Hayley remained calm upon hearing Dean Robinson's words.
"The First Academy doesn't test computer-related subjects, right?" she asked.
"That's correct, but there are quotas for computer talent provided by the Imperial University in various regions. As long as you can study at The First Academy, I will recommend you for a spot in the computer department at the Imperial University," Dean Robinson said.
He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have gone to the jewelry store today.
He had no doubt that once Hayley's hacking talent was exposed, other colleges in Pearl City would compete to recruit her. After all, each college had quotas, but not everyone recommended by the colleges could be admitted to the computer science department of the Imperial University.
"The Imperial University?" Hayley thought for a moment. She would eventually return to the Imperial City. In her previous life, she had entered the clan's college at a very young age and had not received education from an ordinary college. Now that she had changed her identity, experiencing a different life was quite interesting.
Hayley almost didn't hesitate and nodded directly, "Okay."
"Well, then I'll give you the admission letter now." Dean Robinson quickly took out an admission letter from his briefcase and personally wrote "Hayley" in the name column, and stamped his seal in the lower right corner.
"It's only a few days before the start of school. When the time comes, just bring the admission letter to the First College of Pearl City and I will help you arrange your enrollment."
...
The next morning, Madam Collins brought Hayley and Bailey to a five-star hotel in the Donghua District of Pearl City.
The art exhibition was held in the banquet hall on the first floor of the hotel.
Bailey and Madam Collins attached great importance to this art exhibition, so they naturally dressed up for the occasion.
Madam Collins had been struggling with her decision to bring Hayley along before finally succumbing to Mrs. Harris' persistent phone calls. She knew all too well how sharp Mrs. Harris' tongue could be, and she had no doubt that if she didn't bring Hayley, she would never be able to establish herself in the social circle. Worried about Hayley embarrassing her, Madam Collins even spent thousands of dollars on a dress for her and repeatedly reminded her not to get it dirty before they left.
As they surveyed the venue, Bailey whispered to Madam Collins, "Mom, that's the famous Chinese painter Simon over there. He's said to be Master Evans' favorite disciple."
Madam Collins didn't want to miss this opportunity and quickly led Bailey and Hayley over to Simon. Just before they reached him, she reminded Hayley, "Stand next to me and don't say anything."
She really didn't want Hayley to embarrass her in front of everyone. Bailey stepped forward and introduced himself to Simon, "I'm Bailey, a student at Pearl City's top academy. I've bought your art book before and I'm a big fan of your work, especially your line drawings."
"In my opinion, you are a master who has brought the rendering of peonies to the extreme. If I have the chance, I would really like to learn from you," Bailey said as Simon admired the painting in front of him, before shifting his attention to her.
Simon nodded approvingly at Bailey. "I didn't expect someone so young to have such a profound understanding of Chinese painting."
"This is my mother, and my sister is next to her," Bailey turned to introduce Madam Collins and Hayley, her smile polite.
Madam Collins stepped forward and blocked Hayley behind her. "Hello, Master Simon! My daughter has always spoken highly of you, saying that you are her most admired painter. It is our honor to meet you at the exhibition today."
Simon smiled and shook his head. "No, no, you flatter me."
Although his words were humble, there was a hint of pride in his eyes, indicating that he was quite pleased with Madam Collins and Bailey's praise.
Hayley was completely blocked by Madam Collins and Bailey, but she didn't mind. She had no interest in meeting the Chinese painting master that Bailey spoke of, and instead turned to observe the surrounding paintings.
"Master Simon, would I have the chance to visit the exhibition with you?" After the pleasantries, Bailey invited Simon to tour the exhibition with her.
"Sure, let's go together," Simon said, leading the way to the next painting.
Bailey followed beside Simon, occasionally commenting on the traditional Chinese paintings in front of them.
She had done her homework beforehand, researching the detailed information of the exhibited works online and memorizing a lot of it.
Now, facing these works, she spoke with substance, deepening Simon's fondness for her.
After looking at a few paintings, Simon suddenly asked, "Have you considered taking the art exam in the future and entering the national painting program at the Imperial University?"