Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 224: Chapter 224
You are reading Their Mistake, Her Rise, Chapter 224: Chapter 224. Read more chapters of Their Mistake, Her Rise.
On the day of the competition, all of Highcrest University was buzzing with excitement.
There weren't that many contestants. Most of them were from Zoe's class, but the crowd that showed up to watch was massive.
Pretty much every student and teacher on campus turned out for the event.
Since this was about picking the best of the best, a bunch of Jelonsburg's top dogs who were looking for new protégés had their eyes on this competition too.
They all showed up in person, hoping to spot someone who caught their eye.
Familiar Jelonsburg bigwigs like Joyce and Robert were also invited to serve as judges for the event.
There were ten judges in total, and the competition was held at the biggest stadium in Jelonsburg.
Even before things kicked off, Highcrest students had already filled up most of the seats in the stands.
Everyone else had to pull some strings just to get a ticket to watch.
Reporters and internet influencers who managed to snag tickets were all hyped up, busy setting up their gear and adjusting their cameras nearby.
"Hey, everyone, check it out! We're live at the All-Around Genius competition—dozens of top students are about to go head-to-head. It's going to be a wild ride!"
"This is the biggest event ever! I bet you're all dying to know how many all-around geniuses will emerge today. Stay tuned—the results are coming soon!"
"We're coming to you live from Jelonsburg International Stadium. I'm Olivia from JTV, and I'll be bringing you full coverage of the competition. Don't go anywhere—watch along with me!"
With more and more media outlets joining in, the whole place was being filmed from every angle. Everyone had already staked out their best spots to shoot or watch, just waiting for the competition to start.
The buzz in the stands just wouldn't quit.
"I heard Marlowe Group set up this whole competition just to find new talent and bring in some fresh faces."
"That's old news. The word is, some bigwigs have their eyes on a few geniuses from Highcrest, but those students aren't interested in joining Marlowe Group, so they're using this contest to try and lure them in."
"You're both off. Marlowe Group is actually trying to strike a deal with Highcrest so they can recruit students directly in the future. This whole contest is just to smooth out that partnership."
The online chatter just wouldn't stop, with most people arguing over who truly deserved the title of the all-around genius.
Before long, as the debates raged on, a brand-new top five ranking—compiled from netizens' own votes—was released online.
At the top were the usual favorites, Philip and Eunice, but what really caught everyone's eye was Zoe, along with two other standout students.
As soon as Zoe's name showed up on the list, tons of netizens who'd heard all the bad rumors about her started flooding the comments with hate.
[How did someone like her even make the list? This has to be rigged.]
[Looks like someone paid to boost her numbers. She's just a country girl with a few tricks—no way she could actually make it through an all-around competition. This is nuts.]
[I'm just here for the show. The only genius I recognize is my girl Eunice. The rest? Not buying it.]
[Zoe, you're fake, just get out of the competition. You don't deserve to be here.]
The hate against Zoe just kept piling up, with the internet practically drowning in nasty comments about her. Some people even went as far as wishing her dead, classic cyberbullying at its worst.
But none of that really mattered to the contestants themselves. They had no idea what people online were saying, since they were all too busy getting ready and dealing with their nerves.
Of course, there were a few exceptions. Zoe was one of them. With the competition about to start, she just sat there calmly, eyes closed.
To Eunice, though, Zoe's calm attitude just seemed like she was putting on an act again.
While everyone was caught up in their own thoughts, Joyce came in with Robert and a few other elders, taking a special entrance into the waiting area.
There were dozens of students around. Most of them had already grouped up with their teams, chatting quietly or going over last-minute plans.
Zoe, on the other hand, only had Mandy by her side.
"There she is," Joyce said, instantly perking up when she spotted Zoe. She pointed her out to her old friends, making sure they all saw.
Robert stretched his neck, trying to get a better look at the contestants.
"Joyce, which one is she?" he asked.
Joyce pointed again. "See that girl over there? The one who looks so calm? You can tell just by her presence—she's different from the rest."
With that, Joyce quickly led her group of friends right over to Zoe. "Zoe, my dear, we meet again," she greeted warmly. "I brought a few of my old friends to see you. I hope we're not bothering you?"
They treated her with a level of respect you'd only show to someone much older or more important.
That familiar tone made Zoe narrow her eyes. She lifted her gaze, shooting Joyce a sideways look, her expression full of swagger.
By now, Robert and the other Jelonsburg big shots had joined Joyce, and they were circling Zoe like sharks who'd just smelled blood, eager to get close.
"So you're Zoe, huh?"
"You really do have a unique presence. I've heard so much about you!"
"Zoe, you've got the kind of aura that puts us old Jelonsburg geezers to shame. I have to admit, I'm impressed!"
The Jelonsburg elites wasted no time, piling on the flattery and compliments for Zoe, their voices booming.
Meanwhile, Eunice, who'd just been the center of attention among her classmates, suddenly found herself standing awkwardly alone.
The whole scene made Eunice feel painfully out of place.
With the two sisters—twins, no less—standing side by side, the comparisons were inevitable.
Eunice shot Zoe a look full of resentment, then quickly looked away.
'Let them fawn over her all they want,' Eunice thought. In the end, it's the competition that'll prove who's really got what it takes.
Unless Zoe really is some kind of all-rounder, no matter how much she kicks up a fuss, it won't make any difference.
"Eunice, I know you're the best! Go out there and beat Zoe!"
"That's right, Eunice! I'll always support you. You're definitely taking your glory back today!"
With her friends cheering her on, Eunice instantly put on her signature cool attitude. "Relax. I'm not the type to lose my edge over something like this. I've been through storms before. I'll show everyone here what I'm made of."
"That's our Eunice—so fierce!"
"Go, Eunice! You've got this!"
Just as Eunice's friends were hyping her up, the loudspeakers suddenly crackled to life.
There weren't that many contestants. Most of them were from Zoe's class, but the crowd that showed up to watch was massive.
Pretty much every student and teacher on campus turned out for the event.
Since this was about picking the best of the best, a bunch of Jelonsburg's top dogs who were looking for new protégés had their eyes on this competition too.
They all showed up in person, hoping to spot someone who caught their eye.
Familiar Jelonsburg bigwigs like Joyce and Robert were also invited to serve as judges for the event.
There were ten judges in total, and the competition was held at the biggest stadium in Jelonsburg.
Even before things kicked off, Highcrest students had already filled up most of the seats in the stands.
Everyone else had to pull some strings just to get a ticket to watch.
Reporters and internet influencers who managed to snag tickets were all hyped up, busy setting up their gear and adjusting their cameras nearby.
"Hey, everyone, check it out! We're live at the All-Around Genius competition—dozens of top students are about to go head-to-head. It's going to be a wild ride!"
"This is the biggest event ever! I bet you're all dying to know how many all-around geniuses will emerge today. Stay tuned—the results are coming soon!"
"We're coming to you live from Jelonsburg International Stadium. I'm Olivia from JTV, and I'll be bringing you full coverage of the competition. Don't go anywhere—watch along with me!"
With more and more media outlets joining in, the whole place was being filmed from every angle. Everyone had already staked out their best spots to shoot or watch, just waiting for the competition to start.
The buzz in the stands just wouldn't quit.
"I heard Marlowe Group set up this whole competition just to find new talent and bring in some fresh faces."
"That's old news. The word is, some bigwigs have their eyes on a few geniuses from Highcrest, but those students aren't interested in joining Marlowe Group, so they're using this contest to try and lure them in."
"You're both off. Marlowe Group is actually trying to strike a deal with Highcrest so they can recruit students directly in the future. This whole contest is just to smooth out that partnership."
The online chatter just wouldn't stop, with most people arguing over who truly deserved the title of the all-around genius.
Before long, as the debates raged on, a brand-new top five ranking—compiled from netizens' own votes—was released online.
At the top were the usual favorites, Philip and Eunice, but what really caught everyone's eye was Zoe, along with two other standout students.
As soon as Zoe's name showed up on the list, tons of netizens who'd heard all the bad rumors about her started flooding the comments with hate.
[How did someone like her even make the list? This has to be rigged.]
[Looks like someone paid to boost her numbers. She's just a country girl with a few tricks—no way she could actually make it through an all-around competition. This is nuts.]
[I'm just here for the show. The only genius I recognize is my girl Eunice. The rest? Not buying it.]
[Zoe, you're fake, just get out of the competition. You don't deserve to be here.]
The hate against Zoe just kept piling up, with the internet practically drowning in nasty comments about her. Some people even went as far as wishing her dead, classic cyberbullying at its worst.
But none of that really mattered to the contestants themselves. They had no idea what people online were saying, since they were all too busy getting ready and dealing with their nerves.
Of course, there were a few exceptions. Zoe was one of them. With the competition about to start, she just sat there calmly, eyes closed.
To Eunice, though, Zoe's calm attitude just seemed like she was putting on an act again.
While everyone was caught up in their own thoughts, Joyce came in with Robert and a few other elders, taking a special entrance into the waiting area.
There were dozens of students around. Most of them had already grouped up with their teams, chatting quietly or going over last-minute plans.
Zoe, on the other hand, only had Mandy by her side.
"There she is," Joyce said, instantly perking up when she spotted Zoe. She pointed her out to her old friends, making sure they all saw.
Robert stretched his neck, trying to get a better look at the contestants.
"Joyce, which one is she?" he asked.
Joyce pointed again. "See that girl over there? The one who looks so calm? You can tell just by her presence—she's different from the rest."
With that, Joyce quickly led her group of friends right over to Zoe. "Zoe, my dear, we meet again," she greeted warmly. "I brought a few of my old friends to see you. I hope we're not bothering you?"
They treated her with a level of respect you'd only show to someone much older or more important.
That familiar tone made Zoe narrow her eyes. She lifted her gaze, shooting Joyce a sideways look, her expression full of swagger.
By now, Robert and the other Jelonsburg big shots had joined Joyce, and they were circling Zoe like sharks who'd just smelled blood, eager to get close.
"So you're Zoe, huh?"
"You really do have a unique presence. I've heard so much about you!"
"Zoe, you've got the kind of aura that puts us old Jelonsburg geezers to shame. I have to admit, I'm impressed!"
The Jelonsburg elites wasted no time, piling on the flattery and compliments for Zoe, their voices booming.
Meanwhile, Eunice, who'd just been the center of attention among her classmates, suddenly found herself standing awkwardly alone.
The whole scene made Eunice feel painfully out of place.
With the two sisters—twins, no less—standing side by side, the comparisons were inevitable.
Eunice shot Zoe a look full of resentment, then quickly looked away.
'Let them fawn over her all they want,' Eunice thought. In the end, it's the competition that'll prove who's really got what it takes.
Unless Zoe really is some kind of all-rounder, no matter how much she kicks up a fuss, it won't make any difference.
"Eunice, I know you're the best! Go out there and beat Zoe!"
"That's right, Eunice! I'll always support you. You're definitely taking your glory back today!"
With her friends cheering her on, Eunice instantly put on her signature cool attitude. "Relax. I'm not the type to lose my edge over something like this. I've been through storms before. I'll show everyone here what I'm made of."
"That's our Eunice—so fierce!"
"Go, Eunice! You've got this!"
Just as Eunice's friends were hyping her up, the loudspeakers suddenly crackled to life.
End of Their Mistake, Her Rise Chapter 224. Continue reading Chapter 225 or return to Their Mistake, Her Rise book page.