Chapter 99
99 A Dangerous Shift
Finished
The applause and admiration were gone. What was once glowing approval in the professors‘ eyes had turned to cold disappointment. They couldn’t even bear to look at Rebecca again. If before she had simply disliked Scarlett for her excellence, now Rebecca hated her. She wanted Scarlett ruined–completely and forever.
Her gaze swept across the audience. By coincidence, her eyes caught Connor’s.
She blinked through her tears, meeting his gaze.
But just as their eyes locked, Connor quickly looked away.
Rebecca’s heart sank. What was that ? Why didn’t he comfort her ? Why did it almost look like … disgust ?
No. That couldn’t be right .
She looked again, but Connor had already ducked his head, nervously flipping through the event brochure.
Her hands clenched tighter, fingernails digging into her palms.
It was all Scarlett’s fault. Just a few words had been enough to ruin everything she had worked for.
Then, someone waved at her.
She turned, surprised, and saw Oliver.
Her tear–streaked face seemed to strike a nerve–Oliver immediately made a calming gesture, then quietly
ordered one of his men to move.
Scarlett had gone too far. This wasn’t just a slip–up anymore.
He would make sure she never got up again.
As the assistant left, Rebecca slowly looked away!
With her brother behind her, she’d make Scarlett pay.
“You always manage to get to the heart of the issue,” she said as she wiped her tears, putting on an admiring face. “I can’t wait to see your presentation.”
Calvin, however, felt only contempt. He knew exactly how much Scarlett was capable of–and he didn’t believe for a second that she had any real results.
Thank god he had cut her loose when he did. Otherwise, he’d be the one getting humiliated today.
Onstage, Scarlett handed her USB drive to the staff.
Her slides were carefully prepared this was her moment.
But the staff member frowned as he took the USB.
He examined it closely, then glanced at Scarlett, his expression briefly flashing with something unreadable.
People began to murmur, wondering if there was something wrong with the device.
1/3
9o a flasheft
But the staffer simply ined away and went to prepare the presentation
Rebecca narrowed her evER.
#hat was that? The guy had no acting skills he almost gave it away.
Luckily, Scarlett seemed too distracted to notice.
Rebecca gave Oliver a subtle look of blame, but he simply nodded with confidence.
That settled her. She sat back, eager for the show to begin.
In the audience, Connor finally looked up.
Rebecca was no longer staring at him.
He let out a quiet breath of relief.
He should’ve comforted her.
But maybe his expectations had been too high.
He had even vouched for her to Taylor, insisting she’d take first place. And now?
She had lost everything–undone in front of the Lane family by Scarlett’s calm and brutal logic.
Before today, it had always been Scarlett who made him look bad. But back then, it had just been social faux pas–nothing he couldn’t fix.
This time, Rebecca had embarrassed him in front of someone powerful. And there was no excuse .
Now he didn’t even know if it was still worth letting Rebecca meet the Lane family’s delegate.
Taylor, sensing his tension, turned toward him.
“Something wrong?”
“Oh. No. Just feels a little stuffy in here,” Connor muttered.
He tried to change the subject. “Want to go check out the other area?”
Taylor’s eyes sharpened.
“Isn’t the event still going?”
“Well, the next speaker’s really not worth watching…”
Taylor raised an eyebrow.
“That’s your ex–fiancée, isn’t it?”
Connor froze for a second before recovering. Of course the Lane family would’ve looked into him–this
wasn’t a secret.
“Breakups reveal character,” Taylor said with a cold smile. “And yours is… enlightening.”
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Finished
99 A Dangerous Shift
Connor’s stomach dropped.
He rushed to explain. “No, no–you misunderstand. I just meant I know her well. She’s not the type to surprise you. I didn’t want to waste your time.”
Taylor’s smile faded into something icier.
“My time is mine to spend. I don’t need others deciding whether it’s worth wasting.”
The words weren’t loud, but the pressure in his voice made Connor shut up instantly.
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