Midterm exam day at Ashwick Academy was always stressful, but this year felt different—more intense, more loaded with the kind of pressure that could make or break academic careers. I arrived at the examination hall early, my notes organized and my mind focused despite everything else happening in my life.
The European Economics exam was supposed to be my strongest subject, the one area where I could showcase my understanding of pharmaceutical industry dynamics without revealing too much about my family’s specific business practices. I’d spent weeks preparing, memorizing trade regulations and market theories that would let me demonstrate expertise while maintaining my carefully constructed cover.
Alexander was already seated three rows ahead of me, his platinum hair catching the morning
