Chapter 237

“And now,” the host said with a pleasant smile, “let’s go straight to the big moment, first place. The champion of this competition is Boa, representing Wallingtonian.”

“In this SSS–level mission, her performance was outstanding. Not only was she the first to finish among the three finalists, but she also made zero mistakes."

“According to the system’s assessment, she’s the only contestant who qualified as a true all-rounder. That means, no matter the field, you can count on her to deliver flawlessly.”

“Let’s give her a round of thunderous applause—more than deserving.”

The audience shot to their feet in a burst of excitement, the applause crashing like a tidal wave.

The sound was deafening.

Shermaine’s fans could barely contain their joy.

She wasn’t just the only one who passed the bar. She was officially certified as a top-tier all-rounder.

Once the news got out, Wallingtonian’s reputation was sure to skyrocket, and Shermaine was bound to solidify her spot at the very top of the tech world. No one would be able to challenge her, at least not anytime soon.

For a country that had long been mocked and dismissed, this victory was more than just a win. It was redemption. Some of them were even crying.

The Tech Conference, held once every three years, had finally put them on the map. And for the first time, no one dared to laugh.

The results spoke for themselves. No one questioned a verdict handed down by the International Tech Forum. It was globally recognized and beyond dispute.

The host handed the mic to Shermaine, and she took it with her usual composure. “Thanks for the votes, and to my fans out there, appreciate the support,” she said, glancing toward the crowd. “But seriously, you can put those banners down now. You’ve done enough.”

She’d seen them the moment she stepped onstage, those massive, attention-grabbing banners waving like crazy above the crowd. They stood out like a sore thumb. Honestly, they looked like something a bunch of straight guys had thrown together last minute.

Not that she minded. She just didn’t want them straining their arms for nothing.

Then came the award presentation.

Three brand ambassadors walked up to the stage.

Joshua carried a gold trophy, beautifully carved, and a bouquet of fresh flowers.

He didn’t even glance at Kylie as he walked straight to Shermaine. First, he handed her the trophy, then the bouquet. “Sheary,” he said, voice low and sincere, “you killed it.”

Shermaine had held more trophies than she could count, but this time was different. She actually felt happy. It hit her then that praise means something else entirely when it comes from someone who matters.

She took the flowers and replied, completely deadpan, “Thanks.”

Joshua couldn’t help but laugh. He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her red lips.

Shermaine didn’t flinch. She met it head-on, unshaken and unapologetically calm.

The cheers exploded again, louder than ever.

And online, their fans went absolutely feral.

“Sheary,” Joshua teased, “don’t you think it’s my turn now?”

Shermaine gave a tiny smile, then leaned in and left a perfect lipstick print on his cheek.

His handsome face now carried a kind of effortless charm, refined and magnetic.

But everyone knew this man was off-limits to the world. He belonged only to Shermaine.

The tech conference finally came to a close around one in the morning. As the lights dimmed, the crowd slowly dispersed.

Reporters returned to their hotels, already racing against deadlines to file their stories for the next day.

There had been no shortage of international media present, an obvious sign of the event’s global clout.

Shermaine had become a household name in the Wallingtonian tech industry overnight. It was only a matter of time before her fame sent ripples through.

The next afternoon, a reception was set to take place at Benzo Club. It was more than just dinner with the titans of tech, a front-row seat to the upper echelon of the industry. It was an exclusive chance to network over.

Kylie, meanwhile, was fuming. Nothing had gone according to plan. She hadn’t won and certainly hadn’t caught the attention of Joshua or Shermaine the way she’d imagined.

All her carefully plotted moves had amounted to nothing more than wishful thinking.

And now, that humiliation was simmering into something sharper—resentment. For Kylie, this wasn’t just a loss. It was personal.

Back at the hotel, waiting for the elevator, Sarah tried to comfort her.

“Come on, Kylie, don’t let it get to you,” she said gently. “So what if she came out on top? Doesn’t mean she’s better than you.

“I mean, Shermaine’s the type who knows how to play the game. Hooks up with Joshua, and probably has a few other guys on the side too.”

But the words barely made a dent. Kylie had her own affairs, but in front of her family, she still wore the mask of a perfect daughter.

She wasn’t done, not by a long shot. There was still time to turn things around.

Shermaine did attend the afternoon reception.

Compared to last night’s sleek black gown, today’s flowing lavender dress gave her an entirely different aura: cool, elegant, and effortlessly striking.

She drew attention the moment she walked in. People flocked to her, hoping for a conversation, a handshake, a sliver of her time.

Several extended job offers on the spot from top research labs, renowned academic institutes, and even Fortune 100 companies. But she declined each one with graceful poise.

After signing a few autographs and exchanging contact info with a handful of professionals, she quietly slipped away with Joshua to North Sea.

A secluded mountain resort known for its steaming hot springs and stunning starlit views.

Shermaine stepped out of the room wrapped in a plush white robe. She dipped a toe into the pool, testing the temperature. Then, wordlessly, she untied her belt and sank into the water.

She let herself relax, eyes half-lidded, features softened by the heat. A glass of red wine rested on a tray nearby. She picked it up, took a quiet sip, and exhaled.

Moments later, Joshua appeared. He joined her in the water without a word, then made his way behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Beautiful night,” he murmured into her ear. “The moon, the stars…”

“They’re stunning,” she said softly.

“Not as stunning as you,” he replied, as if it were the simplest truth.

She didn’t respond, just taking another sip of her wine.

He leaned in and grazed her shoulder with a playful bite.

“Joshua, could you maybe try not being a menace for five minutes?” she said, barely holding back a smile.

With the stars above and the warmth of the spring below, Joshua couldn’t imagine a better setting.

He turned her around to face him, his voice dropping. “Sheary,” he said, “how about we make tonight a little more fun?”