Chapter 7 - Mason’s Real ScoreCorrecting Mason’s record took three weeks.
Four improper changes removed.
Two questionable scores excluded from ranking calculations.
Three legitimate retests kept, but flagged for procedural issues.
Result:
Mason’s class rank moved from 3rd to 11th.
His academic percentile dropped.
Still strong.
Just not exceptional.
Mason stared at the corrected transcript.
“Eleventh.”
Anna sat beside him.
“That’s good.”
“Dad would say good is what people say when you fail to be great.”
Anna’s face tightened.
“What do you say?”
Mason looked at the page.
“I don’t know yet.”
That was allowed.
The New York private school that Victor had targeted did not reject Mason immediately.
It requested updated records and a statement explaining the testing irregularities.
Mason could withdraw.
Victor’s attorney recommended he do so to avoid embarrassment.
Mason refused.
“I’ll send the truth.”
Anna looked at him.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
His statement:
Some of my prior scores were adjusted through procedures I did not fully understand at the time. I have asked Ridgeway to correct my record. I do not want consideration based on scores I did not earn under standard conditions.
No attack on Victor.
No dramatic victim speech.
Ownership.
The school thanked him.
Application remained under review.
Then Mason took the neutral Metro Scholars exam.
No Logan nearby.
No leaked review packet.
No father in building.
He scored 88th percentile.
Not 95.
Not top five percent.
Good.
Real.
Mason stared at the result for a long time.
Then laughed.
Anna asked:
“What?”
“Eighty-eight.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
He smiled.
“I think I am.”
May you like
That score mattered more than every inflated ninety-something.
For the first time, Mason knew exactly whose number it was.
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