The hotel's third floor housed the conference hall, while the second floor was an open coffee bar.When Catherine arrived, Richard was already seated in a corner, gazing at the beautiful scenery through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Catherine walked directly to the opposite side of Richard, ready to out a chair to sit down. Upon hearing the sound, Richard stood up and pulled a chair for her. "Long time no see, Catherine. Your taste hasn't changed, has it?""No."Hearing this, Richard called over a server and ordered an Americano with no milk or sugar. It was a flavor he remembered Catherine liked. Despite her sweet looks, she enjoyed such a bitter taste. Due to its uniqueness, Richard remembered her taste all at once and had done so for many years."Catherine, the conference room was crowded just now, and I didn't have the chance to talk to you. Luckily, you haven't forgotten our code, or else I would have had to come find you personally."When the two of them left the conference
After staying at the hotel for three days, the Bide Cup officially began. Styre University sent out two teams, led by Marshall for the EIE Team and Fergus for the Biology Team. Having two teams at once already made Styre University a strong contender among the nations.The competition started, and the opponents for the first round were decided through a draw. Fergus's team was the first to go up for the draw, and they ended up drawing the Isaranian Team.The Isaranian Team wasn't considered very strong, so winning against it in the first round wasn't too difficult. The university leaders immediately sought Fergus's opinion, asking about his team's chance of winning. He gave a modest smile and gestured a number—sixty percent.It was well known that Fergus was always cautious and liked to keep a card up his sleeve. When he said sixty percent, it probably meant at least eighty percent. Upon hearing this result, the university leaders felt reassured. If there was an eighty percent chanc
Catherine found Zobber at a corner of the top floor. Zobber always liked to stay in secluded places like this, so it was easy for Catherine to find her in less crowded areas.When Zobber heard a noise and turned around to see Catherine approaching, her eyes instantly lit up. Her originally cold face was now adorned with a radiant smile."Catherine, you're here!" Zobber exclaimed. Only in Catherine's presence could Zobber show her more youthful side.Catherine walked over to Zobber and sat down beside her. The hotel had over fifty floors, and they were on the top floor. In front of them was a vast floor-to-ceiling window offering a breathtaking view of the scenery below."Catherine, the view is really nice from up here," Zobber remarked.Catherine silently watched the scenery without responding. Zobber took a cigarette out of her pocket, about to put it in her mouth. Remembering Catherine's habits, however, she flicked the cigarette into the trash can."Catherine, the bet has star
The next day, the competition officially began. Due to the spread of various rumors, many people were pessimistic about Marshall's team, believing that they were bound to lose.Before the competition started, the odds for betting on the outcome had already soared to 1 to 30, with almost no one believing that Marshall's team would win. In order to earn more money, some unscrupulous haters spread rumors about Catherine, even going as far as to say that she only became a researcher in the laboratory through personal connections.Marshall led his team to the entrance of the sealed laboratory. He personally ushered each of his students into the laboratory. When he saw Catherine, who was walking at the back, he gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. Just believe that you are the best," he said earnestly.Faced with Marshall's sincere advice, Catherine remained indifferent. Used to her temperament, Marshall didn't mind. "Remember, you don't need to worry too much. Just follow your heart
The commotion outside was chaotic, and the situation inside the laboratory wasn't any better. Ever since Ciaran got caught due to the leak incident, the team was represented by the most experienced member, Eamon.The team members hesitated to tackle this challenging problem. This wasn't like their usual experiments in the laboratory where they could afford to make mistakes and start over. In the competition, there was no room for error.Half an hour had passed, and the Johnville Team had already started working in an orderly manner. However, the Styre Team hadn't even begun. It seemed like they were giving up.The rest of the team was getting anxious, and someone suggested asking Catherine for help. While Catherine usually worked alone in experiments and never collaborated with other senior members, Marshall had always believed in her abilities.Eamon agreed with his teammate's suggestion and approached Catherine, who was sitting idle. "Catherine, why are you still sitting here bla
Marshall led the students to lunch after the competition ended. They couldn't return yet, as the result of the competition would be announced in the afternoon. After discussing it, they all went to the designated cafeteria for the participants to have their meal.As they sat down after ordering their food, they watched the Johnville Team, who appeared arrogant and insolent, swagger into the cafeteria.Marshall, not wanting any trouble, advised his students, "After eating, let's go to the rest area and rest for a while. Once the competition result comes out in the afternoon, we can go back to the hotel and take a good rest."Jason overheard these words as he passed by. "Why wait for the afternoon? In a competition that's certain to be lost, waiting for the result is meaningless. I advise you guys not to waste time. Go buy a ticket back home early and focus on your coursework. Hah! You're going to lose anyway!"Jason's disdainful laughter infuriated the students of Styre University.
In the lounge.It was almost time for the afternoon entrance, and the Johnville Team next door in the lounge had already started a party to celebrate in advance, the lively noise forming a stark contrast to the lifeless atmosphere of the Styre Team.Marshall's team members all looked dejected, with none of the vitality and spirit they had when they first arrived. They appeared as deflated as a punctured ball, slumping on the side.When it was time to enter the venue, Catherine was the first to stand up, and she walked straight toward the direction of the conference hall.Seeing Catherine leave, Eamon, who was initially sitting dejectedly on the side, also stood up. "Everyone, rally yourselves, and let's head to the venue together to wait for the results!"Eamon's voice caught some attention, and most of the eyes looking at him were filled with a sense of despair.These looks made Eamon start to waver in his heart, but thinking of Catherine's unwavering determination when she got
Upon hearing the results announced by the host, the Johnville Team couldn't sit still.Jason stood up and shouted loudly, "This is absolutely impossible. Someone must be cheating."The students of the Johnville Team also cheered along with Jason. They simply did not believe they would lose.Faced with the audience's uproar, the Styre Team's representative could not say anything either.Forget about the Johnville Team. Even they found it unbelievable when they heard the result.Upon seeing the expression of the delegation from the Styre Team, Jason seemed to have realized something, and he pointed at them, shouting loudly, "I see, so you must have bribed the judges in order to win. Is that right? You guys are really shameful, resorting to such unethical means just to win."The actual situation was not yet known. Jason was cursing indiscriminately.This had really angered the members of the Styre Team, especially Eamon.The two sides argued fiercely, and Ronin couldn't stand it w