"Love isn't about grades or ability," Sarah said seriously."I know," Linda replied.The oral defense was scheduled for seven days later. During this time, all qualifying contestants could prepare for their presentations.Those who didn't make it would move out of the hotel within two days. The Decker Competition staff had already booked their flights.Even though they hadn't advanced, just participating in such a prestigious competition was something to be proud of.A few days before the defense, Linda suddenly asked Sarah if she wanted to go to a bar.Only after arriving did Sarah realize it wasn't just the two of them - all the finalists were there.Several people gave Sarah meaningful looks, while Eric sat quietly reading in a corner.Sarah noticed Linda's eyes hadn't left Eric since she arrived.But Linda wasn't the only one interested in Eric. Within half an hour, three different girls had already approached him for drinks.She noticed Linda's eyes flash with jealousy e
"Sarah, enough about the thesis. Let's have some fun," Linda said in a controlled voice.Sarah nodded, raising her glass to clink with Linda's.The party ended at midnight, and they headed back to the hotel together.When the elevator reached Sarah's floor, Eric called out to her as she was stepping out."Sarah."She turned back curiously. "What is it, Eric?""See you tomorrow," he said with a smile.Sarah was puzzled but nodded anyway.Linda clenched her fists, her face growing paler.Shortly after, Eric got off too, leaving Linda in the elevator.The others started gossiping again."Eric must really like Sarah, right?""Probably. Sarah's pretty, and I heard the judges were falling over themselves praising her thesis.""Really? That much?"...On the day of the defense, Sarah and Linda arrived early at Saint Nock Hall.The presentations were divided into groups of five, assigned by lottery. She and Linda were placed in the same group.While waiting, she received a str
Sarah searched frantically until she found a rickety ladder, propping it against the wall and slowly climbing up.“Eric?”The window was high up. When she finally reached it, she saw Eric waiting anxiously.While she had been searching for the ladder, Eric had already piled hay beneath the window."Quick! Jump down!"With no time to hesitate, Sarah took a deep breath and leaped.Pain shot through her body, and she felt small cuts on her elbows, but there was no time to check them.She struggled to her feet as Eric's warm hand grabbed hers, pulling her into a run.The wind whipped against her face as they sprinted. "Thank you."Her words scattered in the wind, but Eric still heard them.At the defense presentation.Linda watched the clock - 8:55.Sarah hadn't arrived yet. She probably wouldn't make it.She kept staring at the door nervously, feeling both anxious and afraid.Among the defense panel, Jane noticed Sarah's absence and tried calling her, but the phone was out o
Sarah froze, staring at Linda."It was you?" Sarah looked at Linda in disbelief, not wanting to believe it but unable to deny it.Linda glared at her angrily. "You're quite something. Eric's only known you for days, yet he risked missing his own defense to save you. I really underestimated you."Sarah gave a bitter laugh. "I guess I trusted the wrong person. When I thought you were in trouble, I rushed to help without a second thought. Linda, all this because he talked to me a few times?"Linda sneered. "A few times? Is that what you call it? You knew I liked him, yet you still flirted with him right in front of me. You have no idea how much I hate you!""We only discussed our thesis work, nothing else," Sarah frowned."Who would believe that? I saw you two laughing together, and you claim it was just about the thesis?""You can ask him if you don't believe me. But this isn't just about him, is it?" Sarah stared into her eyes.Linda didn't flinch. "Your thesis was brilliant, ev
Linda returned to her hotel room in panic, staying there for a long time before finally gathering the courage to seek out Sarah.Despite their many previous meetings, this was their first truly awkward encounter.She stood in silence, unsure what to say, until Sarah broke the tension. "What do you want?""Did you tell the coordinator...""No, I didn't say it was you. They'll find out anyway," Sarah replied coldly.Linda gave a bitter laugh. "Thank you. I made a mistake.""Linda, we're not friends anymore. If you came for forgiveness, you should leave," Sarah said icily, moving to close the door.Not naming Linda to the coordinator was the last favor Sarah would do for their friendship. From now on, they were strangers."Sarah, please come somewhere with me? Please?" Linda begged.Sarah eyed her suspiciously. "Where?"Linda smiled sadly. "Someone else suggested the idea to me. Don't you want to know who?"Sarah's brows furrowed. "Who?""Follow me and you'll find out."Linda
After examining Linda, the doctor said she had only swallowed some water."Eric, I'm fine now," Linda said weakly, leaning against him.When Sarah stood up, Linda shrunk behind Eric fearfully.Sarah watched with contempt, knowing Linda's performance wasn't just for Eric's benefit.Sure enough, before they could leave the hospital, the competition coordinator rushed in. "What happened?"The coordinator was startled to see Linda in such a weak state.Before Sarah could speak, Linda jumped in. "Don't blame Sarah. I lost my balance, and she accidentally bumped into me."The coordinator caught the implication in her words and looked gravely at Sarah. "Sarah, did you push Linda in?""No," Sarah said firmly.The coordinator turned to Eric. "Tell me what you saw.""I can't say for certain. When I arrived, Linda was already in the water and Sarah was standing nearby. I can't confirm whether Sarah pushed her or not," Eric stated carefully.His response was logical, and Sarah couldn't
Linda wasn't afraid of Sarah - she only feared losing Eric's affection forever."For a psychology researcher, you should really examine your own mental state." Eric's voice was ice-cold as he walked away.Linda sank to the floor. "Eric..."The Decker Committee didn't waste time. They announced Linda's punishment immediately after posting the defense results.When the results went live on the university website, Sarah's name topped the list.She had done it - Sarah Sanders was officially the Decker Competition champion.Her victory made history as the first international winner, stunning both the organizers and the Psychology Research Institute.Jane was thrilled, since she had recommended Sarah.She knew the Knox Institute researchers were already interested in Sarah. They would likely extend an invitation at tomorrow's award ceremony.The ceremony was scheduled for two days later at Saint Nock Hall. Before the ceremony, officials released an announcement."Contestant Linda R
Faced with these harsh questions, Linda looked away in shame.Standing near the hotel entrance, she became increasingly visible to reporters as Sarah approached.Beyond Sarah, the competition winner, Linda had also become a target for journalists. While the Decker Competition had seen its share of sabotage attempts before, those disqualified usually left Saint Nock in shame. Yet Linda remained, even showing up during the award ceremony.Soon, many reporters surrounding Sarah turned their attention to Linda."Miss Ruben, how do you feel about your disqualification?""Did you consider the consequences when you locked Miss Sanders in that bathroom?"Linda backed away in terror, retreating until her back hit the cold wall. She had nowhere else to go.The aggressive questions pierced her ears as she desperately looked for an escape.Sarah had already entered the hotel, and security was blocking the pursuing reporters. Linda seized this moment to slip inside.Catching her breath in
After the doctor left, Charlie yanked out his IV and clambered off the bed, urging Zachary, "Let's get out of here. This place just drains you dry."Zachary, indifferent since his injuries were feigned, asked, "Your injuries alright?"Charlie, ever so casual about his resilience, boasted, "Ah, I've been roughed up worse before. Just give me a couple of days to rest at home, and I'll be as good as new."With unresolved matters and a longing to see Sarah, Zachary reluctantly set aside his desires. "Then you head back. Call me if you need anything."Charlie, sensing something off, gently tugged at Zachary's suit and noticed his white shirt stained with fresh blood. "Zach, you're hurt!"Zachary's lips were pale, his voice dry. "Yeah.""I'll get the doctor to bandage you up," Charlie said, moving to leave."No need," Zachary stopped him quickly, not wanting to expose his whereabouts by registering at the hospital."What about your wound?""I have a first aid kit at home. It's just
Zachary dragged the unconscious Charlie to the clinic, exacerbating Charlie's injuries as his back scraped against the small stones on the road.When Charlie woke up in the clinic, his howls filled the room. "It's killing me! Where's the doctor? Give me some anesthesia. I'd rather be out cold!"The nurse, irritated by his constant demands, was about to lose her patience when Zachary entered the room. Seeing him, Charlie momentarily forgot his pain and burst into tears. "Bro, did you save me? From now on, you're like a brother to me."Zachary responded indifferently, "Just focus on healing."As the nurse changed Charlie's bandages, she couldn't help but blush at Zachary's rugged, yet undeniably handsome appearance, even slightly disheveled from the fight."Damn it, get out! Are you doing this on purpose, you wretch? Trying to kill me?" Charlie slapped her, swelling her face, as he misunderstood her distracted clumsiness for malice.Zachary frowned, saying nothing. Although he disl
With an agile flip through the air, Zachary caught sight of Charlie sneaking a peek from behind a haystack, his sleazy demeanor perfectly deserving of a beating. The thought of what this scoundrel had done to Sarah intensified Zachary's fury, already heightened by the fierce combat.On the other side, the casino manager watched in rage as his men were effortlessly knocked down by Zachary. Cursing loudly, he shouted, "Damn it, what's the story with this kid?"Seeing some of his underlings still looking for an opportunity to strike, his anger boiled over. "Are you all brainless? Attack him all at once; I refuse to believe he can fight off everyone!"Those still standing and those who had managed to get back up exchanged glances and charged at Zachary with renewed ferocity.Zachary's sharp eyes flashed with disdain. Without moving, his fist met an attacker's face at an extraordinarily tricky angle.The attacker's pained expression froze mid-air, and when he hit the ground, dust flew
Charlie's voice cut off abruptly as he stared in horror behind Zachary, his body beginning to tremble. Before he could speak, the casino manager had already set up a blockade on the road and rushed over with his men, ambushing them from both sides."Charlie, you think you're pretty clever, conniving with outsiders to cheat me out of my money?" the casino manager sneered, twirling an iron rod menacingly.Charlie's legs gave out, and he fell to his knees, stuttering, "Bro, what are you talking about? How could I dare cheat you? I don't have the guts.""Stop lying to me," the manager bellowed, pointing the iron rod toward a visibly unmoved Zachary. "This pretty boy, you've been colluding with him to cheat on my turf. Sick of living, are you?""No, it's all a misunderstanding! We were gambling fair and square, no cheating!" Charlie was terrified, fearing a brutal beating was imminent.The manager scoffed, "You think I'm blind?"Sweat poured down Charlie's forehead as he desperately l
”Come on… Come on…” Charlie leaned over the long table, his eyes crazed as he watched the dealer's movements. The dealer placed his hand over the dice cup, his voice stirring the gamblers, "Any more bets? The odds are thirty to one now." As soon as he finished speaking, a burly man with a scruffy beard shoved most of his chips forward. "Damn it, I'm all in. Worst comes to worst, I'll con some more out of my old lady's funeral fund." Others, eyes reddened, quickly followed suit.Charlie clenched his yellowed teeth, tempted to go all in too. He glanced at Zachary, who had remained calm throughout, and rubbed his hands together with a sycophantic smile. "Bro, should we make a big play too?"Zachary gave him a brief glance. "What's the rush." Charlie had no choice but to curb his eagerness."Here it goes!" The dealer shouted, and the outcome was revealed, triggering moans of despair around them."Did we win? Did we actually win?" Charlie rubbed his eyes in disbelief, his smile wideni
Charlie pulled her close. "When have I not thought about you? Anyway, I've got things to do tomorrow. I'll come see you again later." He got dressed as the woman watched him reluctantly. Just as he opened the door to leave, another woman suddenly appeared in front of him."Molly, I've come—Oh? What are you doing here? Isn't this Mr. Wesley? What are you doing at Molly's house in the middle of the night instead of sleeping at home?"She saw Charlie adjusting his clothes and knew exactly what had been going on."Cut the crap, I'm leaving now. If anyone finds out about today, you're done for," Charlie snapped.The woman wasn't intimidated. She dramatically fell to her knees, crying out loud, "Oh dear! Everyone come and see how this man is threatening me, saying he'll kill me! He's not sleeping at his home in the middle of the night but is here at Molly's—who knows what they were up to? Now that I've caught him, he's not retreating but threatening me instead! Everyone come over and jud
Back at the Wesley place, Charlie shut the front door with a meaningful smirk as his parents had already gone to bed. He cleared the dining table and retreated to his room. Alone, his thoughts turned to what he imagined would happen between Zachary and Sarah, and he couldn't help but snicker to himself. This time, he felt he had finally done Zachary a favor by orchestrating the situation. After this, he was sure Zachary would owe him one, especially in his gambling endeavors.Once something happened between Sarah and Zachary, Charlie thought he would have significant leverage over Sarah—she wouldn't dare cross him, not even in front of the factory manager. Yet, the thought of their imminent encounter left him feeling an unexplained emptiness, especially since the woman he usually pushed around had defiantly returned to her mother's house after yesterday's beating. How dare she act differently when every other woman in the town bore their circumstances silently?Why was it acceptable
"Zachary, you're here?" Charlie greeted with a sycophantic tone. Indeed, it was Zachary, who frowned slightly. About twenty minutes ago, Charlie had called him, claiming Sarah was in danger and that he needed to hurry over. Zachary had rushed here as quickly as possible, but now couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why did Charlie's smile seem so... unsettling?"What's wrong with Miss Sanders?" Zachary asked, his gaze serious.Charlie, sensing he had played his cards right, pointed toward Sarah's room and said meaningfully, "Miss Sanders is in that room. She's in critical condition right now. Hurry, go save her."He even gave an expression that implied men would understand.Zachary's unease grew. He walked into Sarah's room, only to find her lying on the bed, seemingly unconscious."Sasa?" He rushed over, his voice full of concern.From outside the door, Charlie's voice rang out. "Zachary, time is money. I've given you what you wanted. Go ahead and take it."Zachar
The next morning, Charlie handed over the last two thousand dollars he had managed to scrounge from his house to Manager Sullivan. After groveling and pleading, it took quite a while before Sullivan finally decided to let him off the hook.Sarah sat in her office, her eyes fixed on the computer screen displaying an email reply from headquarters. The report about the equipment malfunction had been approved, and the request for new devices granted. The board of directors hadn't opposed it, which came as a surprise.Outside the office, Charlie passed by the door, his mind still reeling from Sullivan's earlier warning."You've got one more chance. Sarah Sanders is sharp. If you fail again, pack your bags and leave!"He clenched his fist, determined not to fail this time.At six in the evening, Sarah was about to leave for the day when, to her surprise, Charlie was waiting outside, calling her over. "Hurry up and eat! My mom made dishes specially for you. I know I messed up last time,