?Chapter 331:


    William chuckled, and she found herself watching him again.


    Who said this man was cold and aloof? He seemed tough quite a bit, actually.


    In just a few hours, she’d seen him smile more times than she could count.


    After lunch, William pulled up to the venue right on time—2:20 sharp.


    Ste needed to find Elbert and Sandra, who were no doubt already inside. She stepped out of the car and waved with a small smile. “Thanks, Mr. Briggs. See you.”


    Using her badge, she entered thepetitors’ lounge.


    Sure enough, Elbert and Sandra were there waiting.


    “Sylvia! You’re here!” Sandra said brightly. “Elbert and I just got in too.”


    Ste gave a reassuring smile. “Everything okay? You’ve got the presentation script down?”


    Sandra grinned with confidence. “Locked in. I won’t mess it up this time!”


    “We’ve practiced enough,” Elbert added. “We’re ready.”


    Ste nodded, extending her hand toward them. “Then let’s go win this.” Sandra and Elbert each ced a hand on hers. “Let’s crush it,” they chorused, their voices ringing with enthusiasm and determination.


    The long-awaited moment had finally arrived. With steady steps and focused minds, Ste and her team made their way toward the stage.


    From the opposite end, a rival team from another research institute advanced toward the same stage.


    Even though most of them didn’t know each other well, the other team made their attitude clear through the looks they gave—full of scorn. As they headed up the stairs, one of them purposely bumped into Sandra.


    “Ah!” she gasped, stumbling as she nearly lost her bnce.


    Thankfully, Ste reacted fast and grabbed her arm just in time, keeping her from falling.


    Wearing a sharp, no-nonsense expression, Ste stepped forward. “Don’t you think you owe her an apology?”


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    The person paused, threw a mocking nce over their shoulder, and sneered, “Why would we apologize to losers?”


    Without waiting for a reply, the person turned and walked away.


    Sandra, furious, looked ready to follow and give them a piece of her mind, but Elbert quickly held her back. “Let it go, Sandra. Focus on thepetition. That’s what matters now.”


    It was only then that the team continued up to the stage, pushing aside the tension.


    Though Ste hade fully prepared, the judges still hadn’t begun the session. They seemed to be taking their time.


    Ste nced their way and noticed the judges buried in quiet discussion, flipping back and forth between their project and the other team’s materials for far longer than expected.


    A strange feeling settled in her chest.


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