An Eye For An Eye: The Rise Of Cassius Lucas

The Examination Malpractice

My exam is in twenty five minutes—and I hadn’t even looked at chapter five and six, ” Lucas Ross stood up from his bed, his heartbeat galloping like a runaway horse.”

He got out of the bed, nearly tripping over the pile of notes and empty snack wrappers scattered on the floor.

His T-shirt was twisted, half hanging off one shoulder,

"Twenty five minutes…Twenty five minutes," he muttered, grabbing his clothes from the hanger and putting them on.

Lucas's room looked disorderly. Clothes were scattered on the floor, some hanging over the handle of a chair, others at the edge of his bed.

"I can't believe my final exam is today," Lucas said to himself, feeling happy and excited. "I've worked so hard to graduate with a first-class degree, and God has helped me all the way. What a great day to be alive.”

Five years ago, Lucas Ross began his journey at Washington University as a freshman. As an orphan with only an elderly man who raised him, he committed himself to his studies, determined to achieve success and make a name for himself.

Lucas Ross has brought numerous awards to the university and he is widely recognized as the top student with the highest grades at Washington University, even before reaching his final year.

Lucas Ross has dominated conferences and debates both within and beyond Washington University, always emerging victorious. There's no doubt—he's a truly exceptional student!

He moved closer to glass pinned on his wall and straightened his disordered black tie. Running a comb through his hair, he gently put on his brand-new shoes.

"Today has to be different. Indeed, it must be different. Five years of studying law isn't a joke," he mused to himself, smiling faintly.

Lucas has a lot of scholarships he's intending to apply for after finishing his law degree. As an inspiring lawyer, he was determined to fight for the poor, seek justice for them and ensure their rights were protected. Infact, he has always wanted to become a human rights activist.

He put on his well-tailored black jacket, striped over to the mirror pinned on the wall. He smiled at his reflection before heading to the door.

Just as Lucas was about to get out of his room, his phone rang, catching his attention. He paused for a moment before hurrying back to the edge of his bed where his phone was. Gazing at the screen, he saw the caller's name—Sophia Patel, his girlfriend.

With a swipe, he answered the call and glued the phone to his ear.

“Hello, Sunshine,” Sophia said. “I just wanted to remind you to wear the jacket I bought for you. I want to see you in that beautiful jacket today—today being a special day of your life.”

“Oops, I forgot already!” Lucas said, scratching the back of his head, realizing he had already put on a different jacket.

“Sophia, I’m really sorry,” he said, his voice tinged with guilt.“I’ve already put on my jacket, but I promise to wear the one you got me on my convocation day. Time is against me already, dear—I have just ten minutes left.”

"Again?" Sophia asked, with a disappointing voice. “Do you even know how many months it took me to save up just to buy that jacket? It cost over a thousand dollars, Lucas. And yet, you won’t even wear it? Please, just put it on before I get mad at you .”

"Sophia, you need to understand what I’m trying to—" Lucas started, his tone gentle. But before he could finish, Sophia hung up the call.

Lucas signed heavily as he gently placed his phone on the bed.

"Three minutes to go," he muttered under his breath. Without Hesitation , he quickly took off the jacket he was wearing and went to his cupboard. He gently brought out a neatly packed jacket—the one Sophia had bought for him. He gazed at the beautiful fabric for a moment before putting them on. Then, he got out of his room.

After walking for several minutes, Lucas Ross finally arrived at the examination hall, breathing heavily. Though he was late, the invigilators allowed him to enter. He quickly hurried to his seat and sat down.

Just as he was about to start his examination, a voice echoed in the hall.

"Lucas Ross."

"Who is Lucas Ross?" The invigilator asked, looking around the hall.

Slowly, Lucas raised his hand, his fingers shaking. The invigilator took a step closer to him, his right hand on his left.

“ Have I done something wrong?”

“ What could have been the issue?”.

"Can you please leave your answer booklet and come here? We have received information that you might be involved in examination malpractice.” the invigilator said.

As he spoke, he pointed at Lucas, commanding him to step out of his seat.

His heart started racing as murmurs spread through the examination hall. He felt embarrassed —never in his life had he been accused of cheating.

"What could have gone wrong?"

Slowly, he pushed back his chair and stood up. When he finally got in front of the man, he took a deep breath and signed.

Looking up at the invigilator, he asked. "Sir, what do you mean by that? Why would I engage in examination malpractice?”

The invigilator gazed at Lucas from head to toe, looking at him in a suspicious way.

"You even have the audacity to cheat in your final exam. All days are for the thief, but one is for the owner." he said, laughing mockingly.

"Cheat?" Lucas Ross asked rhetorically. "But do you have any proof against me?"

The invigilator stepped forward a little.

"I have always known you were a cheat," the invigilator said, moving closer to Lucas. "I've suspected it for a long time, but now, the truth will be revealed to everyone.”

Raising both hands, he turned to address the students and other invigilators in the hall.

"As you can see, there is nothing in my hands," he announced.

Then, without hesitation, he reached into Lucas’s jacket and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper.

Students started whispering among themselves. Some leaned towards their neighbors while others stared in disbelief.

Lucas stood frozen, looking confused.

"But I don't..." he began, his voice shaking.

Before he could finish, the invigilator suddenly shouted at him at the top of his voice, cutting him off.

The invigilator raised up the crumpled sheet for everyone to see.

“This,” he said, his voice echoing is the hall, “is all the proof we need.”