Chapter 298

"Michael Stone got into university in the capital!"

"That troublemaker who's always getting into fights?"

"Now I've seen everything."

"Bro, you're amazing!" Daniel River rubbed his hands excitedly, his dark face flushed with pride. He threw his arms around Michael, nearly squeezing the breath out of him.

Who would've thought Michael would pass the university entrance exam on his first try? Just last year, they'd been worried about what would happen to him after Emily got accepted. Yet here he was, quietly succeeding where no one expected.

Samuel Bright cracked a rare smile. "Congratulations, Michael." Though more reserved than Daniel, his eyes shone with admiration.

"Thanks..."

"Emily, Michael is incredible!" Amy Bright chirped, bouncing over to Emily Johnson like an excited sparrow.

The twins, David and Tommy, puffed up with pride. Villagers kept stopping them to say, "Your father got into university!"

"I'm going to town tomorrow," Michael murmured to Emily. "My admission letter arrived, but yours still hasn't. I think someone's interfering."

Emily's stomach tightened. Last year's identity theft scandal should've been a warning—yet someone dared try again.

"Be careful," she said, gripping her husband's hand. "If anything seems wrong, go straight to the police. Don't do anything rash."

"Don't worry. I'll handle it."

The next day, Michael headed to town with his reference letter and Emily's documents. His first stop was the post office, where an old friend worked.

"Any news about my wife's admission letter?"

"Michael, there's trouble." His friend's expression darkened. "I know someone who barely passed the exams but got an acceptance letter. Meanwhile, several top students still haven't received theirs."

Michael's eyes turned icy. "They've got nerve."

Leaning closer, he whispered instructions. "I'm counting on you."

"Consider it done."

Soon, rumors spread through town: someone was stealing admission letters to steal university spots.

In this era, university admission meant hope for entire families. Several families who hadn't received letters stormed the police station—not just one or two, but multiple at once.

The police chief groaned. They'd just dealt with a similar case last year. Was it happening again?

The education bureau was alerted.

Meanwhile, Michael quietly stoked the flames.

"Where's Michael?" Mary Stone fretted at home. She and her husband debated—despite the busy harvest season, they needed to prepare a proper celebration.