Chapter 236

The entire auditorium seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the final results.

But the host took a sharp turn with a grin. “Actually, before we get to that… why don’t we ask our brand ambassadors who they think deserves the top spot?”

The crowd stirred with curiosity. None of them had seen the ambassadors since the show began. No one expected them to be kept under wraps for this long.

Suddenly, the massive screen above the stage flickered and switched to a live feed from the VIP lounge backstage, revealing three seated ambassadors. The camera immediately found its focus: Joshua.

Amid two older men in their forties and fifties, Joshua stood out like a beam of light, elegant, striking, and unmistakably youthful. Within seconds, the internet lit up.

[Holy hell, that man is too young and way too hot!]

[Okay, I’m in love. That’s the ambassador?]

[So this is the CEO of York Group from Wallingtonia? Someone drop his contact info.]

[Never cared about Wallingtonian men until now. Does he do casual?]

[Joshua is the pride of Wallingtonian entrepreneurs.]

[Y’all need to calm down. He’s wearing a ring on his left hand.]

[Just a reminder, Mr. York arrived with Boa.]

[Translation: that man belongs to Boa. Don’t get ideas.]

At just thirty-one, Joshua was already on the global billionaire list, a level of success neither of the other two ambassadors had come close to at his age.

From the stage, Kylie stared up at the screen, her heart sinking into jealousy. If he were hers, she’d be the woman everyone envied.

‘If I had come to Wallington sooner… would I have had a chance with him? Would Shermaine never have entered the picture?’ she wondered.

Joshua was the last to speak. The first ambassador cast his vote for Kylie. The second chose Edwin. Then the mic passed to him. Without hesitation, he said, “My love.”

“You mean Boa?”

He nodded slightly. “Yes.”

“Do you support her because she’s from Wallingtonia… or because she’s your partner?”

Joshua responded in his usual unhurried tone, “I support her because I know she has what it takes to win. But if you’re asking whether my feelings play a role, of course they do. To me, Sheary has always been the best.”

And just like that, the man known for his cool detachment had, in front of a live audience, declared his faith and affection. The internet practically exploded. Screenshots flooded social media, accompanied by frenzied captions and reposts.

Back on stage, Shermaine allowed herself a faint smile, her gaze quietly finding Joshua’s. Her eyes, calm and bright, shimmered like starlight.

Once the ambassador segment concluded, the host returned to the spotlight. “Well then,” he said with deliberate suspense, “it’s time to announce the third-place winner of the individual competition.”

The room fell into a hush.

“The third-place award goes to… Kylie from Moranta! Congratulations, Kylie!”

She didn’t move.

Her fans looked stunned. Even Kylie herself stood frozen, her face paling as reality hit.

‘Third? How could I be third? Was I really that slow submitting my task?’ she thought.

No one had expected this. Most had assumed she would take first. To see her walk away with third was a blow, not just to her, but to the many fans and supporters who had championed her all along. And for the Morantan crowd who had mocked Wallington earlier in the competition, it was a public slap in the face.

Now, with Kylie out of the running, only Shermaine and Edwin remained. The first place would be decided between them.