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
Although it had been verified publicly through the judging panel, many people were still unwilling to believe that the Styre Team could win.There was a commotion on the scene. The strength displayed by the Styre Team was far beyond normal perception, leaving people momentarily unable to accept it. The members of the Johnville Team, regardless of the circumstances, firmly believed that they had not lost and were still fighting desperately."This group of people really are shameless. They were the ones clamoring for validation, but now that they are not as skilled as others, they still stubbornly make trouble." Zobber was so pissed off and totally annoyed by the behavior of the Johnville Team. "With this kind of attitude, no wonder they're always at the second place!"Ronin chuckled as he looked at her, quite agreeing with her evaluation. "You said that they were always at the second place. How do you think they haven't moved up in so many years?"Zobber got what Ronin was saying.
In the end, Branden couldn't stand it anymore. He took the initiative to snatch Catherine back, only then did the scene come under control.Now, no one dared to continue touching Catherine's belly.Once he snatched Catherine back, he held her tightly in his arms and prevented anyone from touching her. He thought in his mind, "Since these people like this brat so much, I'll just give the brat to them when Catherine gives birth. Saves one more person from sharing my wife with me."Triston smiled and watched the crowd as the birthday party began exactly as it should.The big screen began to show all the images of Audrey from her debut until now that were outstanding or worthy of recording. Some of the images weren't even in Audrey's possession, but Triston had found them and made a video of them.As the images flashed by, Audrey's tears couldn't help but fall from her face. She cried not only because she remembered the hardships she had endured in showbiz for many years, but also bec
Since Triston brought Audrey to meet his family, he had worked non-stop to put their marriage on the agenda.Audrey was a popular actress, and to not affect her career, Triston chose to propose in a low-key manner.Triston arranged a party on Audrey's birthday and invited many of Audrey's friends.Audrey originally thought Triston was too high-profile, but Triston insisted. "I didn't participate in so many of your past birthdays. I finally have a chance to participate this time."He persuaded Audrey repeatedly. Audrey couldn't resist him and could only agree to let him arrange the party.Luckily, he only invited Audrey's close friends and did not send out invitations widely, so she could take this opportunity to have a gathering of friends.Audrey was surprised to see Catherine when she arrived.Catherine was now eight months pregnant. Normally, she would be rejected by Branden if she wanted to visit Catherine.Branden was now very careful with Catherine every day, and Audrey w
Sure enough, only after Audrey said those words, Willa's face completely darkened.Seeing that Willa was about to explode, suddenly...Triston applauded happily, which instantly attracted the crowd's attention.Triston calmly met everyone's gaze and looked at Audrey gently. "Good. You're worthy of being the woman I love. I'm most annoyed with those women who stay at home day in and day out and like to gossip when they have nothing else to do. You have your own career and I'm very supportive of that."Triston said this with a proud look on his face and raised his eyebrows at Audrey, full of smugness.Willa's face instantly turned gloomy.Her son had demeaned her by calling her a gossipy woman just to please another woman, and it made her furious.Egbert kind of realized that his son was totally in love with Audrey. He thought it was good because Triston used to be a playboy and was always surrounded by messy women. At that time, he was really worried that Triston would marry an u
Although Audrey was born into a wealthy family, Triston's mother, Willa Lambert, had always been prejudiced against showbiz and therefore did not approve of Triston's pursuit of Audrey.In Willa's opinion, female celebrities in the showbiz industry had always appeared in public, which was not like the demeanor of a lady from a wealthy family.It was only after learning that Audrey and Triston might be together that she eagerly introduced Triston to girls in the first place. She didn't realize that after all this time, her son still hadn't given up on Audrey, and this was the first time she'd seen her son so attached to a girl.If it weren't for that, she wouldn't agree to appear at today's dinner party now.Triston led Audrey into the door, and everyone from the Lamberts had already arrived.The scene of everyone sitting in the private room made Audrey feel a bit guilty. She looked guiltily at the crowd and whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm late."Triston's father, Egbert Lambert, had a
Audrey never expected to be so suddenly arranged to meet Triston's family.She couldn't react when Triston talked to her about it. Looking at Triston with disbelief in her eyes, she said, "Pardon me?"Triston's handsome face carried a gentle smile. "I've inquired with Kim. You don't have any work arrangements since this afternoon, and you can also take a day off tomorrow. It's just right for us to have dinner together in the evening."Audrey frowned and asked inwardly, "Is that what I care about?"What she cared about was who Triston had just said she would have dinner with tonight. "Why are you suddenly asking your family to have dinner with me?"The Swanns and the Lamberts were both in Casier and they were also considered to be friends. For Triston's family, although Audrey was not familiar with them, she had seen them at major parties.But in the past, they used to meet as ordinary friends.Now that she and Triston were in a relationship, his sudden proposal to take her to di
Audrey hesitated for a moment but still answered the phone with a nervous heart.She believed that Catherine definitely had a way to get her to answer the phone, but things would be troublesome if she made Catherine take her actions.She put her phone to her ear and inquired in a low voice, "Morning, Kathy. What's the matter?"Catherine's voice remained as cold as ever, without any emotion. "Tell me, what is it that you haven't told me?"Audrey had already figured out a strategy to deal with it and how to excuse herself, but as soon as she answered the phone, Catherine asked her so directly, which made her suddenly unable to react.Audrey had no choice but to tell Catherine the truth.After listening to her trembling narration, Catherine only asked coldly, "Are you sure you want him to be your boyfriend?"Audrey was a bit hesitant. Everyone blessed her and Triston after they found out they were together again, but Catherine was the only one who asked her to calm down and think i
Faced with Triston's questioning, Ronin looked arrogant. "Catherine and Audrey are sisters, so Audrey is my sister. You can bully anyone, but you can't bully her. Or else, we can't even be friends."Ronin's words sounded childish, but there was seriousness inside his eyes when he said those words. He grew up with Catherine and regarded Catherine as his most important family member. To him, Catherine's sister was his sister.After listening to Ronin's words, Triston faintly laughed out. "I see."Ronin thought that Triston didn't take his words to heart, and immediately felt a burning anger. "What do you mean? You don't understand my warning, do you?""Easy!" Triston gestured for him to calm down, then said calmly, "Even death row inmates have a chance to explain, right? You should at least hear me out.""Hmph!" Ronin snorted disdainfully. He secretly thought in his heart, "If Triston says any more asshole words, I'll definitely not show him any respect."Triston put away that cyni
They had an appointment at a recreational manor, a new property Zobber had just bought. Zobber had invited them to come along for the experience.Since Catherine's pregnancy, the entire Hacker Alliance had had much leisure time. Even though there was less to do, they had earned no less money and were basically in a dominant position.Zobber enjoyed the current situation too much becasue there was still money to be made easily. They might only have one business per year, but the profit from this business was already enough for them to spend for a year.After wandering around with her friends, Zobber excitedly looked at everyone. "How about this place? It's not bad, right? I bought it at a high price!"This was Casier, and Triston was aware of any changes in the real estate industry.He had indeed received the news when Zobber auctioned off the manor, and he also knew that Zobber had given an above-market price to take the land. But he knew that Zobber had plenty of money. It was fi
Since that dinner, Audrey had been in a special kind of relationship with Triston.Although they didn't make it clear, Triston could feel that Audrey had slowly accepted him.The number of times they met increased, and most of Audrey's work this year was in Casier.Whenever Triston had free time, he would stay alongside Audrey.Whether on set or during recording sessions, one could always catch a glimpse of Triston.Everyone kind of knew deep down that Triston was the man behind Audrey.But nobody ever exposed this whole thing, mainly because of Triston's identity.Neither he nor Audrey wanted too much attention paid to their relationship right now. If he didn't spill the beans, who else would dare to report on it?Besides, the reason Audrey and Triston's dating didn't cause much jealousy was they were a good match.Among the Four Noble Families in Casier, the Lamberts and the Swanns each held a seat, and the Swanns' power was not weaker than the Lamberts.Plus, now that Cath