Rosalind was buying a roasted sweet potato. After paying, she handed it to Megan. “I suppose so. The world is full of strange things.”
“Then who do you think it was?” Grandma Megan's question was sharp.
A smile touched Rosalind's lips. “I think it was L.”
“L?” Grandma Megan was confused. “The letter of the alphabet?”
Rosalind explained patiently, “It's a handle. Every hacker has an online alias to protect their real-life identity.”
Grandma Megan paused. “Rosalind, how do you know so much about this?”
“Galeno told me,” Rosalind said calmly. “He even showed me L's life story. L hacked a banking system at the age of six. A computer prodigy.”
Grandma Megan muttered, “That Galeno... always into such strange things.”
“Yes, he is,” Rosalind agreed.
Grandma Megan added, “This L sounds like a good person.”
Rosalind smiled. “How so?”
“Didn't you hear the students praising them? Getting rid of a public menace!” Grandma Megan huffed cutely. “People like Ms. Lee are a bad influence on children. They deserve to be exposed!”
Hearing this, the smile on Rosalind's lips deepened.
But then Grandma Megan suddenly changed the subject. “But you need to focus on this retest. I asked Warner last time, and he said he could tutor you. You should have him stay over at our place starting tonight.”
“Stay at our place?” Even with all her calculations, Rosalind hadn't anticipated this turn of events. “Grandma, don't you have faith in me?”
Grandma Megan didn't fall for her reverse psychology. “Grandma has faith in you, but it's better to be foolproof. If you don't make the call, I'll contact Warner myself. He told me to let him know immediately if you ever needed anything.”
For a rare moment, Rosalind was stumped. This was getting more and more out of control.
She had no idea that the first move she'd orchestrated had already failed.
It wasn't until Anna called that Rachel's smiling face fell. “What did you say? That damn girl wasn't expelled?”
Anna didn't tell her the truth, just vaguely said, “Mr. Lopez is protecting her. There was nothing I could do.”
“What about her cheating to get a perfect score?” Rachel immediately asked.
Anna's eyes darted. “That's been confirmed, of course. You know what her grades are like.”
“Good enough.” Rachel cheered up again. “You’re as efficient as ever.”
This time, Anna felt a pang of guilt, but she had no other choice. “Mrs. Yates, I've completely offended Mr. Lopez this time. He's suspended me, so…”
“Is the Lopez family that clueless now? How ridiculous,” Rachel said smugly. “I've never liked the Lopez family anyway. Since Mr. Lopez is so shamelessly protecting that girl, this is the perfect chance to take them all down. I'll write a complaint to the Board of Education right now!”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Go Back and I Rule There