The module thrummed with energy, alive and vignt. Every pulse sent it stretching


    to its limits, only to snap back with a rhythm as sharp and unstoppable as a


    drumbeat.


    There was no contest. She proved to be the best, securing a decisive victory.


    Adrian took the stage with a director from another leading logisticspany to share the results.


    "Now," they announced, voices ringing through the hall, let''s reveal the champion of the National Low-Altitude Logistics Challenge..."


    The spotlight cut down hard.


    Anneliese''s face filled the giant screen, luminous and unblemished. She could have eclipsed any starlet, but her beauty was understated, her smile genuine and unforced.


    "She is contestant No. 45," Adrian continued, leaning toward the microphone. His eyes flicked briefly toward Anneliese, something unreadable passing through them before he finished, "Anneliese ude."


    The apuse was immediate and thunderous.


    At the host''s signal, Anneliese moved gracefully to receive her award. Her smile remained steady, her walk confident, and her aura exuded natural elegance.


    Gianna watched her pass. She had braced for a smug grin, a sharp nce, or any small gesture that might salt the wound of loss.


    Yet, nothing came.


    Anneliese didn''t look at her at all, not even a nce or a sign of noticing. She just walked by without any acknowledgment.


    Gianna''s nails sank into her hand as her eyes dropped. Being ignored outright hurt far more than any sneer ever could. That kind of indifference cut the deepest.


    If this hadn''t been live, she would have turned around and walked out. She had never felt so publicly humiliated, never been overshadowed sopletely by someone else.


    By then, Anneliese had stood next to the hosts. She responded to their two questions with a natural sense of humor, establishing a rxed atmosphere.


    Then one host smiled and announced, "All right, we now wee our special guest to present the trophy to our champion."


    Anneliese wondered, Huh? The Oceaton University president just handed out the second- and third-ce trophies. No one ever mentioned a special guest.


    She followed the host''s gaze and froze.


    The man stepping forward wore the


    same ck suit from that morning,


    but his tie w


    was now a soft blue. His shirt shone brightly, and his Windsor knot was perfectly neat. Under the stadium lights, he appeared to stand our with the crowd''s rojse facing into the background as a subtle glow traced his silhouette, leaving everyone briefly captivated.


    Then his eyes found Anneliese.


    The distance disappeared. His expression softened as his lips curved naturally, the sharpness fading into something gentle, elegant, and quietly proud.


    Anneliese''s eyes widened. Jonathan?


    On the way there, he mentioned he was busy chairing an important meeting and joked about sneaking a peek at the livestream if possible. At a red light, he apologized and said he hated missing her first contest since their wedding. Then, he drew hernear and kissed her gentle yet tinged with guilt, as if he genuinely meant it.


    Now, he was standing there as the special guest.


    So much for that meeting; he hadn''t gone anywhere at all.


    If not for the cameras trained on her from every angle, Anneliese would have swung


    a yful fist at him on the spot.


    He teased her with every step, and her heart pounded with restless anticipation as he approached.


    She nearly let herposure crack, right there before the entire crowd.


    Jonathan noticed the look in her bright, expressive eyes-half using, half amused—and couldn''t help but smile. As he grabbed the microphone from the host, his other hand casually brushed against the hand resting near Anneliese.


    Her heart skipped a beat as she kept her eyes fixed on him.


    The host obviously noticed the chemistry between the special guest and the champion. Quickly, he looked away with a smile and "It seems our champion is quite


    captivated by Mr. Fullbust quiet?


    Honestly, with our finalists and guests, tonight has been genuinely charming."


    She added, "Mr. Fullbuster isn''t only the CEO of AeroAir; he''s also an honorary trustee at Oceaton University, making him ideal to present tonight''s trophy. Mr. Fullbuster, would you like to say a few words to our champion?"


    Jonathan epted the trophy from the usher and turned back toward Anneliese.


    Crystal lights scattered shards of brilliance across the stage, but none could rival the warmth shining in his eyes as he gazed at her.