?Chapter 484:
Mnie, on the other hand, was struggling to keep it together. Her smile was stiff, her grip on her clothes too tight. She threw a sideways re at Marisa, lips twitching with unspoken resentment. Why the hell did she look so rxed? She had lost to Marisa, but Marisa had lost to Ethan, too. So what gave Marisa the right to act like she owned the stage?
Mnie gritted her teeth and leaned toward her. “Thought you were some kind of prodigy,” she hissed. “And yet you couldn’t even beat a nerd like Ethan.”
Marisa blinkedzily and turned her head, slow and deliberate. “Oh, you’re still here?” she drawled. “Wow. Points for persistence. Just don’t forget our little better.”
She stretched thest word like a ribbon — taunting, yful, dangerous.
Mnie’s face turned crimson. “You!”
Ethan caught the tension and instantly felt uneasy. Had he just made things worse for her? He whispered apologetically to her, “I’m sorry…”
Marisa’s expression shifted — she turned to him with a faint scowl. “What are you apologizing for? You didn’t do anything.”
“Think I’m fragile or something?” After a brief pause, she added, “I’m not like some people who burst into tears when they lose.”
Ethan opened his mouth, ready to exin, only to freeze mid-thought as Mnie suddenly erupted beside him.
Mnie snapped, her voice trembling, “Who are you talking about?!”
Marisa did not even bother to look back. “Whoever takes it personally,” she said with a smirk, “that’s who.”
The host let out a nervous chuckle, beads of sweat forming at his temple. Great. Live broadcast, and they were still at each other’s throats. He stepped in quickly, his voice rising to recapture control. “Ah — yes! Our finalists are clearly passionate and driven! Now, let us proceed to the award ceremony!”
The tension began to ease as event staff stepped up with polished trophies. First, the bronze for Mnie, and the silver for Marisa.
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Representatives from the sponsors and organizingmittee handed over the gleaming awards under the dazzling stage lights, while the crowd pped and cheered again.
But on stage, the reactions could not have been more different — Mnie’s face stayed tight as stone, while Marisa stood casually, the lollipop still in her mouth, as if this were just another Tuesday.
“And now…” The host’s voice swelled with anticipation. “We present the champion award!” He extended an arm toward the side of the stage. “The guest of honor presenting our grand prize: the esteemed CEO of Cooper Mining Co., Mr. udius Cooper!”
As soon as the announcement rang out, the room held its breath for a single heartbeat — then erupted into a frenzy.
“udius? The heir to the Cooper Group?!”
“No way, he actually showed up in person?!”
“Oh my God, I never thought I’d see him at a ce like this!”
udius had arrived long before the noise. He had been backstage, arms crossed and posture rxed, quietly watching Ethan’s wless performance in the finals. A glint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. His uing e-sports tform required a frontman, someone capable of captivating both screens and stadiums. Ethan fit the bill like a custom-made glove.
By stepping out to award the champion himself, udius was sending a clear message: this project mattered. And today, he was here for more than a ceremony. He was here to sign Ethan.
The atmosphere in the venue buzzed with anticipation as he strode onto the stage.
Towering andposed, udius cut a striking figure in a sleek ck suit. The fabric clung to his frame just enough to suggest power, and the crisp tailoring highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw.
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