Chapter 160

Joshua couldn’t believe the audience’s votes for his previous song were lower than those for Quintus. This made him feel frustrated and unconvinced. Now, in this final round, he was full of fighting spirit; he firmly believed he could overpower Quintus. With confidence, he was the first to stand up and walk back onto the stage. Quintus was also confident in himself and followed suit. Both of them had their phones on and were wearing Bluetooth headsets. Since neither of them was fluent in Darsechia’s language, they relied on Sienna and Phoebe to translate for them over the phone.

The host came onstage but didn’t let them choose a song. Instead, she opened a laptop and played an Epunian song, requiring them to learn it on the spot and perform it within half an hour. There would be an instrumental accompaniment, and they would also be given the lyrics. The host explained, “For fairness, both of you will learn this song with accompaniment, and you’ll also be given the lyrics.” This was a song written by an Epunian-speaking resident singer at the bar, specifically for Epunian customers to use in competitions. If the competitors were from other countries, they would use songs in their familiar language.

Quintus and Joshua were both unfazed and nodded in agreement, “Alright!” The host handed each of them a headset microphone. They then sat separately and focused on listening to and learning the song.

Maddox, who loved watching the drama unfold, laughed and asked, “Who do you guys think will win this duel? How about we place bets? Whoever loses has to drink a glass of alcohol.”

Phoebe didn’t hesitate. “I bet on Quintus.” Not afraid of offending Jenkins Entertainment, Phoebe said, “If his previous company hadn’t deliberately suppressed him, if his manager hadn’t assigned him unsuitable songs, he would have already taken off.” She added, “This situation today will prove his true strength.”

Maddox agreed. “I also bet on Quintus. In every aspect, he sounds better than Joshua to me.” He wasn’t afraid of offending Jenkins Entertainment or Joshua either. He was simply stating the truth.

Lexie said, “I also think Quintus has the advantage. His professional level is high, and his voice is my favorite type; I’m betting on him.”

James chuckled. “I don’t know much about singing, but since all of you are betting on Quintus, I’ll follow your lead.”

Jimny added, “Since you’re all betting on Quintus, of course, I’ll stick with you guys.” Deep down, he also believed in Quintus’s chances. However, unlike the others, as a guest contestant and a newcomer, he didn’t want to express it too bluntly.

Everyone in both groups placed their bets on Quintus. Maddox laughed helplessly. “Everyone is betting on Quintus. Looks like no one wants to be the one drinking that penalty glass.”

This comment naturally angered Joshua’s family. They scolded Maddox for being too much. There hadn’t even been a duel yet, but he was already acting like the result was set in stone. They also lashed out at Lexie and the others, calling them Phoebe’s lackeys. Since Phoebe had a bad relationship with her brother Joshua, they accused her and the others of stirring up trouble and looking down on him.

Chapter 160

Joshua’s fans confidently declared that he would definitely win the duel. However, Phoebe’s supporters didn’t argue back. They simply posted, “Let’s wait for the results and see who’ll get humiliated.” Anyone with a bit of musical sense could tell from the previous performances that Quintus was a step ahead of Joshua.

Maddox and the others were just telling the truth. A bunch of Phoebe’s fans and Maddox’s fans started hyping things up, making a fuss. “Maddie, no one at your table is drinking, but the other table is!” “Maddie, stir things up, stir things up!” “Maddie, look over there, look over there!” Seeing them egging him on, others joined in for the fun, hoping Maddox would create some chaos. And Maddox, of course, didn’t disappoint.

He turned his head toward Jamar and said, “Jamar, you should be betting on your third brother to win, right?” Jamar looked at Maddox silently. That damn grin on Maddox’s face clearly meant trouble. “What do you want?” Jamar forced a stiff smile and asked.

Maddox chuckled. “We’re betting on who will win the battle. Whoever loses has to drink three shots. Both of our groups have bet on Quintus. Who are you betting on?”

Jamar was speechless. “When did we say we were betting?”

Maddox raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying you don’t believe Joshua will win?”

Jamar was stuck. Even if he didn’t believe it deep down, he couldn’t say it out loud. He said, “I believe Joshua will win, but that doesn’t mean I have to bet with you.”

Maddox smirked. “Jamar, you’re chickening out.”

Jamar sighed and replied, “Fuck off.”

Maddox provoked him further. “Then bet. Dare or not! If you don’t bet, that means you’re scared. It also means you think your brother will lose.”

Jamar really wanted to punch Maddox. If he didn’t bet, he’d be admitting fear and indirectly agreeing that his brother would lose. Even though Jamar knew it was a trap, he had no choice but to step in.

Jamar snorted coldly. “Fine. I’ll bet. I’m betting on Joshua to win.”

Maddox gave him a thumbs-up. “Jamar, you’re a real man. If you lose, you gotta down the shots in one go. Three shots, three gulps.”

Jamar rolled his eyes at him again. ‘Got it. No need to remind me.’ Internally, he was praying that Joshua wouldn’t mess up.

After successfully trapping one person, Maddox turned to Sienna and Reece. “What about you guys? Who are you betting on?”

Sienna wanted Maddox’s attention, so she naturally wouldn’t refuse. She flashed a sweet smile. “I’m betting on Joshua too!”

Maddox thought, “Nice, another one walked into the trap?” He gave her a thumbs-up as well. “Good! You’re a real woman!”

Sienna was baffled by Maddox’s nonsense. The others tried to hold back their laughter, but the chat was already going wild. “[Real man, real woman. Maddie, are you trying to make me laugh to death?]” 12:13 PM

Chapter 100

“[Damn it, I was drinking water and nearly spat it out.]” “[Maddie thought, ‘Wow, another one took the bait.’]” “Maddie thought, Just a little nudge, and another one fell in]” “(Maddie, there’s still one left! Don’t forget him!”

Maddox turned to Reece. “What about you, Mr. Hill?”

Instead of answering, Reeve raised a question. “Did I hear you say earlier that whoever loses has to drink one shot? So why is it suddenly three for…” He had been paying attention to Phoebe, so even though they weren’t speaking loudly, he had caught the conversation. Jamar and Sienna had been talking earlier and hadn’t noticed the change. Now both of them stared at Maddox with blank faces.

Maddox grinned. “I just changed the rules?” The audience cracked up. Maddie was truly shameless and unbeatable. “[Maddie doesn’t care at all! Such a scammer||||| I finally understand today why everyone says Maddox is a menace.]” “Only he can outdo himself.”

Jamar glared at Maddox. “Do you have to be this shameless?”

Maddox, completely unfazed, replied. “Well, you two already agreed. No take-backs.”

Jamar choked. “You’re shameless!”

Maddox ignored him and turned to Reece again. “So, Mr. Hill, are you betting on Joshua too?”

Reece raised an eyebrow. “Who said I was betting on Joshua?” Then, calmly, he added, “I’m not dumb. I’m betting on Quintus.”

Maddox thought Reece was shameless too. Jamar and Sienna couldn’t believe Reece bet on Quintus. The audience was also surprised by Reece’s choice.