?Chapter 230:


    Her voice dripped with mockery, and the smug expression on her face practically dared someone to argue.


    “Gee, I don’t know what kind of big shot you were pretending to be.”


    Elbert, usuallyposed, couldn’t hold back this time. “Cecelia, that’s enough. We’re all on the same team. There’s no reason for this.”


    But Cecelia just scoffed, brushing off his words like dust. “Did I say anything wrong? Sylvia always walks around like she’s some genius, and you all enable it. Well? Where did that get us?”


    Then her tone sharpened, growing meaner. “Maybe the higher-ups decided not to let us through because of all the noise surrounding hertely. Let’s be honest—she didn’t get on this project with just talent. Everyone knows she’s got a connection. William Briggs, right? Cozying up to the boss doesn’t get you respect, you know. It just makes you look 100k desperate.”


    Sandra shot up from her seat. “That’s going too far, Cecelia! How can you say something so vile? You’re a woman yourself!”


    Cecelia folded her arms and sneered. “Well, I’m not like Sylvia, always glued to William. Everyone here’s seen it, haven’t you?”


    She sounded so sure of herself, as if she had hard proof that Ste was the reason their team wasn’t moving forward. With that, Cecelia spun on her heel and walked out.


    Ste sat there quietly, watching her go. The usation didn’t anger her—it just left her feeling confused.


    Cecelia had always been fiercelypetitive. Even if she didn’t like Ste, their group not advancing should have bothered her too.


    Yet her attitude was indifferent—almost amused.


    But why? Something didn’t add up.


    Turning away from the door, Ste looked at Elbert. “If we didn’t make it… then who did?”


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    Elbert’s face dropped. “Allen’s group.”


    Ste’s brows furrowed. “Allen?”


    That didn’t make sense.


    His group wasn’t strong enough. And now, out of nowhere, they’d advanced, while the announcement had suddenly changed to only the top three?


    The whole thing reeked of maniption.


    “Something’s definitely wrong with this,” she murmured. “Too many pieces don’t fit.”


    As Ste voiced her doubts, Sandra banged her fist on the table. “Exactly! It’s all messed up! They said the results would be posted on the notice board, and now they’re iming it was only the top three?” That kind of sudden change had never happened before.


    “So what now?” Elbert asked. The others looked to Ste, clearly counting on her.


    Sandra’s face creased with worry. “If this was nned behind the scenes, they’ll cover their tracks. We’ll need someone smarter or more powerful to step in.”


    Hearing that, Elbert’s eyes lit up with sudden realization.


    “Why don’t you talk to William?” he suggested, looking directly at Ste.


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