Yvette held the Fraxyia book Bonnie had forcefully given her, tapping the cover absentmindedly. She smiled nonchalantly, leaning back in her chair with one leg bent, her eyes cold. Neither Yvette nor Bonnie acknowledged Winona, despite the many onlookers. Winona felt embarrassed. Noticing the beginner Fraxyia book in Yvette’s hand, she scoffed lightly.

“Yvette, it’s probably too late to start learning now. Why don’t you just admit defeat? I can talk to Sharon about canceling the competition. You can apologize to me privately; no need to make it so embarrassing,” Winona suggested.

Yvette glanced at her briefly, then continued to ignore her. Bonnie spoke up, defending Yvette. “Hey, I forced the book on Yvette, and I got the water for her myself. Just mind your own business! Can’t you see we’re not paying attention to you?”

Anticipating Yvette’s humiliation, Winona felt a wave of satisfaction and didn’t argue. She tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered something to Yvette before leaving. Bonnie didn’t catch what Winona said, but Yvette’s expression remained unchanged.

Sharon saw Winona approach Yvette and wanted to follow, but she was detained. By the time she turned back, Winona had left. Sharon glared at Yvette, determined to humiliate her publicly.

The competition in the auditorium was a spectacle. Students with tickets arrived early, filling the hall with eager anticipation. Only when the hall was nearly full did Patrick make his grand entrance; Tobias and the Fraxyia Department teacher, Emily, had arrived much earlier.

Their meeting was awkward; Emily felt guilty, even she thought Sharon’s challenge excessive. She and Tobias, colleagues for many years, were uncomfortable with the situation.

“Oh, Mr. Sunderland, glad to see you here!” Emily greeted with a smile.

Tobias, possessing impeccable manners, refrained from expressing his frustration to Emily, knowing the competition was strictly between the students. He had gotten a fresh haircut, looking particularly sharp. He smiled charmingly at Emily. “Happy to see you. I thought I should come early. I’m not proficient in Fraxyia, so I can’t coach her. I can only sit in the audience and cheer for my student.”

Emily felt even more guilty. She smiled awkwardly and fell silent, awaiting the competition.

In the second row, Winona and Victor were in high spirits. A few students recognized them, and one girl asked Winona about her thoughts on the competition between Sharon and Yvette.

Winona, inwardly delighted, outwardly displayed concern. “I can’t make decisions for Yvette. Even if she loses, I can’t force her to apologize to me.”

The surrounding students praised her beauty and kindness. “You know, Winona treats Yvette really nicely!” “Yeah, I think Yvette is just overestimating herself… she’s going to make a fool of herself.” “Winona is as gentle as an angel, unlike Yvette, who’s always so cold and unapproachable.”

Jeremiah and Andrew overheard several girls discussing Yvette negatively. They speculated she would lose and accused her of showing off.

Andrew, irritated, interjected, “Hey, the competition hasn’t even started yet. Why are you talking like that? Why be so mean?”

The girls, seeing Andrew was handsome, blushed but remained defiant. “Handsome, we’re not making this up. This is the consensus at Agrol University. Yvette is definitely going to lose. We all know that Sharon’s Fraxyia skills are extraordinary.” “Yeah. I’ve heard that Yvette doesn’t even bring her textbook to class and just sleeps through lectures. Even her physics professors have given up on her.” “That’s right. Gorgeous, you shouldn’t side with people just based on their looks.”

Andrew cleared his throat. He didn’t particularly like Yvette, but Jeremiah did. Andrew wished he could silence them.

“Who says liking Yvette is just about her looks? She has other qualities too. She’s smart, considerate, generous, and well-mannered,” Andrew said, glancing at Jeremiah, whose expression softened slightly. He continued, “A man who likes Yvette must be the most excellent, most charming man in the world.”

The girls, overwhelmed, found it hard to believe him. Andrew let out a proud “hmph” and ignored them. Seeing Jeremiah, they stomped off, leaving their seats to be quickly filled.

Before the competition, Jeremiah spotted Yvette near the lounge door. She was leaning against a table, her legs draped over the side, a hint of impatience in her profile. The auditorium was noisy; Yvette remained silent and aloof.

Yvette saw Jeremiah outside the window. They exchanged a brief look. “Come outside,” Jeremiah mouthed.

Annoyed by the noise, Yvette stepped out. Sharon, fearing Yvette might back out, shouted, “Hey, now that you’re here, don’t even think about running away!” Yvette paused but continued on her way. Jeremiah showed subtle pleasure seeing her emerge.

They stood at the door. “What’s up?” Yvette asked.

Jeremiah handed her candy. “Here. You like sweets. This candy is custom-made by me.”

Yvette looked at him, puzzled. “Oh, thank you.” She put the candy in her pocket. Jeremiah kept glancing at her.

Yvette lowered her gaze. Her indifference faded. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back inside.”

Jeremiah nodded. “Go ahead. I booked the same steakhouse as last time. Let’s go there after the match.”

Yvette looked up, seeing affection and trust in Jeremiah’s eyes. “Okay,” she said softly. “If I win, can I have a little extra?”

Jeremiah laughed. “Sure, eat as much as you want.” Yvette nodded, pleased.