Chapter 211
Violeta patted her shoulder. “This money was originally owed to you by Zelena. I promise I’ll keep working on getting back at her, including ensuring you get your share.”
Shirley, touched by Violeta’s gesture, wiped away her tears before voicing her curiosity. “Why do you want revenge on Zelena too? Is there some personal issue between you two?
Violeta lowered her eyelids, not revealing too much. She said, “Leave Quinston, gather your strength in another city, and return when you’re ready and strong enough.”
“Okay, I understand. Thank you,” Shirley replied.
That night, Shirley left Quinston on a late-night flight.
Violeta and Kaylee went to the airport together to see Shirley off. After watching the plane take off, they left together.
Under the night sky, they walked out of the airport together.
“It feels good to do a good deed,” Kaylee remarked.
“Vio, you’re a good person,” she added.
Violeta didn’t want to claim she was a good person because everything she did was aimed solely at Zelena.
“People have many sides, Kay. What you see now is just one part of who I am,” Violeta replied calmly.
Violeta’s intuition was right on target.
The next day, Zelena went to the nursing home to find Shirley, only to learn from the director that Shirley had quit and disappeared without a trace.
Zelena came up empty-handed, thinking Shirley had left out of fear.
After some reflection, she couldn’t rid herself of the sense that something felt off, though she chose not to linger.
As the weekend drew closer, the tension began to rise. The first round of the semifinals had concluded, resulting in the elimination of half the teams. For those who remained, this weekend represented a fresh start and a chance to prove their worth again.
Adding to the excitement was the initiation of the revival match, a lifeline for the eliminated teams. This round offered them an unexpected opportunity to re-enter the competition and reclaim their positions in the semifinal.
When Violeta and her team arrived at the sports arena for the competition, they were greeted with an unexpected and heartwarming surprise. A group of enthusiastic young fans had gathered at the front entrance, their excitement palpable as they saw her.
“Wow! It’s Vio!”
The fans, primarily high school students, couldn’t contain their excitement. They rushed forward, clutching MLSS merchandise and posters, hoping to get her autograph.
Violeta was pleasantly surprised. “You guys are too much! Haha, I’m not a celebrity.”
The high school students looked at her with starry eyes, their faces beaming with excitement and hope. “Vio, we believe you’ll definitely become famous in the future!” one exclaimed confidently.
For the first time, Violeta felt the thrill of being surrounded by fans and asked for autographs. In her past life as a minor figure in the entertainment industry, she had never received such attention.
Violeta patiently signed autographs individually and exchanged a few kind words with each fan. Just as she finished the last autograph, two taxis pulled up to the curb. Out stepped Zelena and Hattie, who couldn’t help but notice the scene unfolding before them.
Zelena felt a sharp pang of jealousy.
Who would have thought that Violeta would gain fans just by participating in one competition?
Hattie, too, was taken aback. She had to admit that Violeta’s ability to attract fans was impressive. If Violeta successfully debuts, she could become a significant rival.
Without exchanging a word, Zelena and Hattie walked past Violeta, their faces expressionless, as they entered the arena.
As they walked towards the sports arena entrance,
Hattie casually called out to Liam.
Liam has heard but has yet to respond.
Several high school students heard Hattie’s words, turned their heads, and saw them. They were slow to react at first, then realized.
Excitedly, one of them said, “You guys are the captains of Eternal Warriors and Flame Vanguard, right!”
Zelena, catching on quickly, tried to maintain a polite smile. “Hi there,” she greeted, hoping to connect with these enthusiastic fans.
Hattie also forced a smile at them.
Initially, Zelena entertained the idea of earning goodwill from these young supporters. However, their following words caught her off guard. “We’ve been following your matches,” one of the students remarked earnestly. “You’re good, but Vio is on another level.”
“Yeah, Violeta comes from a major leaderboard player. You’ve done well to reach this level.”
“Keep up the good work, though. There’s still some gap to the championship, but don’t be discouraged.”
Zelena’s and Hattie’s expressions faltered.
They exchanged puzzled glances, unsure how to respond to the unexpected critique from these perceptive high schoolers.
Damn kids, what are they saying!
This is so frustrating!
Zelena immediately lost all desire to continue chatting with them, didn’t even want to maintain a smile, and turned away.
Hattie followed her and also walked away.
The high school students were straightforward and quick-witted. It’s hard to tell if they were genuinely innocent or deliberately trying to provoke these two.
Watching Zelena and Hattie leave, Violeta and her group couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Confused, the high school students asked, “What’s so funny, Vio?”
“Oh, nothing,” Violeta replied lightly. “We’re heading inside for now.”
“Okay! We’ll cheer for you from the audience!”
After Zelena and Hattie went in, they were furious.
Their anger surfaced in small, futile gestures, like rough handling of their makeup brushes, almost breaking them.
Sure enough, nothing good happened when they encountered Violeta.
It’s really frustrating!
Just wait. That woman will see what’s coming to her.
The competition started promptly at 6 PM. Violeta’s team was the third to play this time, and they sat in the lounge watching the live broadcast on their phones.
The host introduced the first team to play.
“Look, it’s Archer’s team.”
Archer’s team was called ‘Wind Riders.’ After the first round, their team gained popularity, ranking in the top 10 popular teams.
Zoren said, “If they win this, our chances of meeting them next time will increase.”
Hayden leaned back on the sofa, holding his phone with one hand. “Hmm.”
Violeta replied, “It’s perfect timing to meet them.
Chapter 212
Let’s see how good they really are.”
Zoren continued flipping through the pages of the tournament schedule, his eyes scanning the matchups. Suddenly, he stopped at a particular entry, and his eyes widened in surprise.
“Look at this!” Zoren exclaimed, pointing to the screen. “It’s ‘Wind Riders’ versus ‘Eternal Warriors’ in the next round.” Surprised, he remarked, “Archer’s team is up against Zelena’s team this time.”
Jasper also chimed in, “Really? Let me see.”
Zoren handed him the phone and said, “Take a look.”
The host’s voice boomed over the speakers, cutting through the room’s tension. “Next up, let’s welcome Team Eternal Warriors!”
The announcement hung in the air, drawing a momentary silence from the group gathered around Zoren and Jasper.
“Didn’t expect it to be Zelena,” Jasper finally commented, breaking the stillness. He leaned back in his chair, contemplating the upcoming match. “Who do you think will win this one?”
Leaning against the sofa in the corner, Violeta quietly observed the live stream on her phone throughout the discussion. Her eyes flicked across the screen, absorbing the growing anticipation among the viewers.
The live stream room buzzed with activity, and the number of viewers doubled from earlier.
The comment section continued with a flood of comments representing fans from various teams. Supporters of ‘The Mighty Dragons’ were particularly vocal. At the same time, discussions about Zelena’s ‘Eternal Warriors’ and Hattie’s ‘Flame Vanguard’ dominated the conversation.
After noticing Violeta’s rising popularity, Zelena quietly manipulated trending topics and hired social media influencers to boost her team’s presence.
This made the comments section a mix of genuine excitement and manufactured buzz.
Hattie did the same behind the scenes to promote her team, adding to the upcoming match’s orchestrated buzz.
As Zelena confidently led her team onto the stage, the flurry of comments intensified, influenced by the strategic efforts of both teams to sway public opinion. Both team members sat in front of their computers, and the match was about to begin.
Zoren asked, “Who do you think will win?”
Violeta said, “Zelena.”
Zoren was puzzled. “Huh? Why?”
Violeta smiled. “Just guessing.”
She lowered her eyelids, her thoughts drifting back to her previous life.
Rumours outside suggested that Archer and Zelena had a perfect relationship in that life. There were even netizens joking that Zelena was the official spokesperson for the Barnett Group and that anything she wanted was practically assured.
Some even said Archer willingly played second fiddle to her.
With such a close relationship, their interactions during their school days were bound to be numerous.
During the previous league, Violeta speculated that Zelena must have known Archer since then.
And she wasn’t wrong at all!
Since returning after the league ended, Zelena has privately investigated Archer’s background. She found out he was the sole heir of the Barnett Group and had started finding ways to get close to him, leaving a lasting impression.
And this match was Zelena’s best chance to leave a deep impression on Archer.
During the match, Zelena made it clear to her
teammates that she must be the one to take down Archer every time they clashed.
Archer was a proud person being repeatedly targeted by Zelena on the battlefield left a lasting impression. Who else would he remember?
Zelena hired more than just any teammates. They were carefully chosen.
They had previously studied Archer’s team tactics and knew he was the strongest in their squad. If they kept the pressure on Archer from the early game, he would only survive the late game!
The tactic quickly proved effective. On the field, Archer was relentlessly targeted and constantly forced into group fights, and each time, Zelena took his head.
Violeta glanced at the screen and noticed the irritation in Archer’s eyes.
“Makes you feel worthless when someone keeps killing you, huh?” Violeta muttered softly.
Hayden heard Violeta’s words and quietly glanced at her.
Say what you will, but Zelena’s ability to get Archer’s attention impressed Violeta. However, impressing him like this wouldn’t win his favour. It all depends on how Zelena plans to change her image in Archer’s mind.
That won’t be easy at all.
The first match ended in 32 minutes. Archer’s team, ‘Wind Riders’, was defeated by Zelena’s ‘Eternal Warriors. They announced their entry into the revival match queue. Meanwhile, the entire ‘Eternal Warriors’ team smoothly advanced to the finals.
As they stepped down from the stage, Zelena smiled at Archer. He remained silent and walked off with giant strides, clearly showing his displeasure.
Zelena didn’t care that Archer was angry right now. She knew there was a long road ahead of her. No matter what, she had her sights set on this prince of the Barnett Group!
The second match was Hattie against a team from an international school that made it through the ranks. With determination blazing in her eyes, Hattie insisted on taking on the jungle role herself, eager to showcase her prowess and silence doubts about her abilities compared to Violeta’s.
As the match progressed, Hattie’s team found themselves in a pivotal moment at the Dragon Pit, a crucial battleground where control over objectives could shift the tide of battle.
Unfortunately, in a critical skirmish that should have secured them the Dragon and bolstered their position, Hattie made a fateful misstep. Her error allowed the enemy team to seize control of the Dragon.
This led to a prolonged game that lasted over forty minutes before ‘Flame Vanguard’ finally won and secured their spot in the finals.
Hattie stood on stage, her body drenched in sweat.
The pressure was immense. If she had lost, facing the consequences would have been unbearable.
The live chat was buzzing with comments.
Only some people can perfectly control the situation. This time, the female team captain of Flame Vanguard didn’t jungle as well as last time. Fortunately, she switched roles from jungle to top lane and still managed to turn the tide.’
Chapter 213
If you ask me, just go and play mid-lane obediently. You were doing well before. That Dragon Pit play had me cracking up.’
It’s not that I look down on girls playing jungle. The jungle in ‘The Mighty Dragons’ is good.
I hope Flame Vanguard changes their jungle for the finals. Otherwise, they’re definitely going to lose.’
Zelena and Hattie both won.
The third team to take the arena was ‘The Mighty Dragons.’
After a brief introduction by Violeta and the others, they started a fierce match.
Violeta remained in the jungle as usual.
Right from the start, Violeta controlled the pace very well. The opponents were weaker than expected, so the game ended in 29 minutes.
The comments flew on screen.
See that? For those who said women can’t jungle, look at Violeta. She’s clearly awesome, right?’
This is such a clear comparison.’
If you don’t have the skills, don’t take on the role. You know who I’m talking about, I won’t say.
Haha, I’ll just laugh and not say anything!
In the lounge, Hattie was furious to see those comments, slamming her phone hard on the table.
If it weren’t for that Dragon Pit, she wouldn’t have become the target of ridicule! It’s so infuriating!
She still needs to gain practical experience.
“How does Violeta manage to control the pace so well?”
Group 6’s semifinal ended perfectly.
The remaining revival matches will decide the last spot.
This live broadcast will continue until the evening.
Back in the lounge, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Having just led her team to victory, Violeta was in high spirits. She decided to wait at the door, specifically for Evelyn and her team.
Violeta greeted them warmly as Evelyn and her teammates emerged from their room. “Good luck!” she said, her tone encouraging and sincere.
“Got it,” Evelyn replied.
After their last loss, Evelyn had been pushing her team hard. They had trained rigorously, analyzed their previous mistakes, and refined new tactics. Evelyn’s goal was clear: break through the revival matches and defeat Hattie in the finals.
Zoren ordered takeout-crab roe noodles, plenty of fried chicken, and drinks.
Consider it dinner. They ate noodles in the lounge while watching the livestream, enjoying themselves immensely.
The revival matches are all about endurance, going on until the last team stands, making them much more thrilling than the semifinals.
Plus, with more people tuning in at night, the live viewership broke three hundred thousand at the start of the revival matches.
The Spring Blossom’ unquestionably showed their strength. They’ve been in the top three favourites since the semifinals began.
Their loss to ‘The Mighty Dragons’ sparked controversy online, but Violeta emerged victorious as always.
Evelyn is widely recognized as the second-best jungle after Violeta. Coupled with ‘The Spring Blossom’ being an all-female squad, the comment section was filled with cheers for them.
Violeta also hoped they would win because Evelyn aimed to defeat Hattie.
Upon closer consideration, with four teams entering the finals, if Evelyn defeats Hattie, only Zelena would remain for Violeta to face.
Zelena’s skills could be better than Hattie’s.
Her smooth entry into the finals was simply because her four teammates were highly skilled, and she had a bit of luck.
Violeta aimed to end her streak of luck.
Originally, Archer was supposed to participate in the revival matches, but perhaps disgusted by Zelena’s earlier actions, their team chose to forfeit directly.
Two hours later, at nine in the evening.
The Spring Blossom’ lived up to expectations! They won all the way through, successfully advancing from the revival matches.
The comment section was flooded with celebratory messages, with fans expressing joy and excitement.
Violeta smiled contentedly, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She packed up her phone, joined the rest of her team, and left the arena. They walked out into the cool night air, eagerly anticipating the finals next weekend.
Irene and Anton were never ones to watch live broadcasts. But this time, they stayed home and tuned in. They saw their beloved daughter
managing things on stage in scenes they couldn’t understand. Still, when they heard that Violeta had won, laughter filled the living room.
However, Irene spotted someone in the comment section insulting their precious daughter.
“Honey, someone here’s insulting our daughter!”
Anton glanced over and said, “Let’s see how to report this.”
The two of them spent a while figuring out how to report the offensive comments on their phones.
However, after submitting their report, they received a response from the platform stating that their claim of insult didn’t hold up.
Irene and Anton were furious. With their combined ages nearing a hundred years, they joined the online crowd in retaliating with their own insults.
It was just adorable and childish.
At that moment, Niall returned from outside. He saw Anton and Irene sitting together on the couch, wholly absorbed in typing furiously on their phones.
Since their report didn’t work, they decided to fight back with words.
He didn’t even know when he had come back.
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing?”
Irene said, “Busy here. Someone’s insulting your sister. Quickly grab your phone and join us in firing back.”
Niall was puzzled. “Huh?”
Anton exclaimed, “What ‘huh’? Don’t you know your sister’s competing today? You, as her big brother, don’t even care!”
Niall slowly caught on. “Oh, I know. Vio told me. What happened? Who’s insulting her?”
Chapter 214
Walking over, he saw his parents watching the livestream. They scrolled quickly through the comment section and spotted a comment or two criticizing Violeta.
Niall exhaled in frustration, “What’s the point in worrying about a few trolls? Just report them.”
Irene replied, “It’s pointless. We already reported them, but they said it doesn’t count as insults.”
After a moment of thought, Niall proposed a straightforward solution. “Well, in that case, let’s just purchase the company. That way, we can ban whoever we choose, correct?”
Irene slapped her thigh. “Exactly! We were so worked up just now. Didn’t expect this twist! Honey.”
Anton immediately called his secretary to check on White Bear TV. The acquisition might take time to happen, but investing as shareholders? That could work! Once Violeta returned, everything was already settled. White Group had acquired White Bear TV, becoming its largest shareholder.
Those troll IDs? Each one got banned!
“I’m back, Mom, Dad! Liam’s here, too. I won the match!”
Irene put down her phone and ran to Violeta, beaming joyfully, “Vio, you’re back! Tonight, your Dad and I watched the livestream! You’re amazing, our precious!”
“Yeah, Vio, I watched your match too! So cool!”
Though Violeta saw it as routine, being surrounded by family praise made her feel bashful.
“I’ve just made it to the finals but haven’t won yet. Please don’t praise me too much.”
Irene said, “Of course you can win! Who’s as capable as my daughter?”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Irene hugged Violeta’s shoulder and said, “Oh, by the way, don’t take those insults seriously and don’t let them affect you. You’re the best.”
Insults directed at her?
Violeta had experienced so much in her previous life that she wasn’t bothered at all by these online trolls.
She couldn’t care less.
But she hadn’t expected her family to be so concerned.
Violeta smiled reassuringly and said, “Mom, I won’t let them get to me, so don’t worry.”
Anton joined in. “It’s reassuring to hear that. But remember, it’s fine if it somehow gets to you. Dad’s taken a step ahead by investing in White Bear TV.
We can shut down any negativity by banning those who spread it!”
Violeta, taken aback, inquired, “Invested, you say?”
Niall contributed, “Absolutely, I witnessed it myself when I returned. There were Mom and Dad on the couch, handling trolls head-on. That’s when the decision to invest was made a move to permanently close the doors on all their accounts, once and for all.”
Goodness.
That’s quite a bold move.
Violeta hesitated momentarily. “But investing like that…. – isn’t it a bit impulsive? What if it doesn’t make a profit?”
Irene patted Violeta’s shoulder reassuringly,
“Darling, you don’t need to worry about that. Our family has money, and White Bear TV has good prospects for development. You should trust your Dad. Leave the professional stuff to the professionals.”
With White Group investing in White Bear TV, it would only get better, not worse.
Upon hearing this, Violeta nodded and smiled, “Okay.”
Everyone chuckled, and then Anton remembered something. “Oh, Vio, what about your coffee shop?
Would you like to start a franchise?”
“A franchise?”
This question had never crossed Violeta’s mind before.
Initially, buying the coffee shop was a way to help out Mrs. Fiona and her husband. But as the business grew, it started to turn a profit and run smoothly.
Though these earnings were modest compared to the vast resources of the White Group, they were enough to give Violeta financial independence from her family.
Anton was asking Violeta if she wanted to build wealth for herself.
Niall added, “Vio, running a small business can be a good experience, and it won’t take up much of your time.”
“Yeah, Dad will help you,” Anton chimed in.
After some thought, Violeta nodded decisively. “Sure, thanks, Dad!”
Anton grinned happily. “No need to thank me, as long as my precious daughter is happy.”
Little did Violeta know that this decision would turn Sunset Cafe into a leading name in the coffee industry.
On the official website of MLSS, the list of finalists has been announced. The banners for the four teams were prominently displayed on the website.
Back at school for another week of classes, Violeta went about her usual routine of attending classes, eating, and training. Meanwhile, Zelena and Hattie were basking in the attention and admiration they received at school.
With so many schools participating in the Quinston College competition, it was a matter of great pride that Toland University had secured three spots.
Zelena and Hattie were invited to speak on stage at Tuesday’s assembly. Amidst thunderous applause, there were a few puzzled remarks.
“Why isn’t Violeta speaking? She’s the real prodigy.”
“I heard she’s busy preparing for the championship and doesn’t have time for these fancy speeches.”
“Oh, that makes sense, then.”
Violeta is more than just a skilled player in the game. She was also the top student in the performing arts department last semester. She’s got it all: brains, beauty, and talent. She’s an actual academic superstar.
Chapter 215
“Pretty impressive.”
At the tennis court.
After training, Violeta wiped the light sweat from her forehead with a towel.
Kaylee handed over a bottle of water from the side. “Vio, here you go.”
“Thanks.”
“Psh, what’s there to thank for.”
Kaylee walked in. “They’re giving a speech in the auditorium again. Zelena and Hattie must be feeling pretty pleased with themselves.”
Violeta took a sip of water, sat on the bench, and rolled up her pants legs to let them breathe. Her slender legs were fair-skinned, and even the veins at her ankles were visible.
“They deserve to feel pleased when it’s their time.”
Kaylee said, “If Nolan hadn’t invited you first, they wouldn’t have been invited.”
Violeta countered, “It’s not about who Nolan invited. Even if Nolan had invited me, they still would have gone.”
If Violeta had gone alone, Zelena and Hattie wouldn’t have let it slide so easily. Who knows what trouble they would have stirred up?
It was better to let them attend. Besides, Violeta could have been more eager to step onto the stage herself.
Kaylee nodded after thinking about it. “True, they can’t stand your success. Focus on practicing before the championship and go win that gold medal.”
“Yeah.”
Violeta took off her jacket, revealing an emerald bracelet on her wrist.
Kaylee immediately noticed the bracelet and couldn’t see its beauty. “Vio, your bracelet is so gorgeous!”
Violeta glanced at her wrist and smiled. “My Mom bought it for me while traveling in Verdancia.”
Kaylee exclaimed, “It’s so pretty! Can I take a closer look?”
Violeta carefully removed the bracelet and handed it over. Kaylee accepted it delicately, mindful of its value. Emeralds were pricey, so she handled them carefully to avoid damage.
The emerald’s glassy bottom revealed almost imperceptible flaws, its intricate structure visible only upon close inspection. Floating within were three colours of delicate flowers, lending it a nearly ethereal quality.
“The emerald is so beautiful, I can see why it must be valuable. I’ll be extra careful not to break it,” Kaylee remarked, returning the bracelet to Violeta.
Violeta replied, “Of course, it’s emerald.”
Kaylee returned the bracelet, speaking familiarly to Violeta, “Obviously, you wouldn’t wear glass.”
“If I had something that precious, I wouldn’t risk wearing it out!”
Violeta chuckled. “But whether it’s glass or emerald, it’s all just decoration.”
Kaylee nodded in agreement. “True. I think I’ll treat myself to a boutique visit tomorrow and maybe get a crystal bracelet. Maybe a rose quartz. They say it attracts love!”
After their break, the two chatted and laughed, then left the tennis court together.
The two walked out of the tennis court together with their jackets in hand.
Previously, Violeta had also worn the bracelet hidden under long sleeves and gone unnoticed. Now, with her jacket off, the emerald bracelet shimmered with such brilliance that it caught everyone’s eye.
As the weather warmed up in Quinston over the next few days, Violeta began to shed her jacket, and many tennis club members noticed the emerald bracelet on her wrist. Only a few people knew, like Kayle, that Violeta’s bracelet was emerald, not glass.
Some boys, impressed by the bracelet Violeta wore, thought she had bought it from a nearby boutique and rushed to buy similar bracelets for their girlfriends. This unintended trend unexpectedly boosted sales of flashy glass bracelets in nearby boutiques for several days.
This sudden trend of bracelets in school caught Zelena’s attention. Discussions about glass bracelets even started in their class.
On Friday, Zelena wore her emerald bracelet to class. Its luster could be described as luxurious and was completely different from regular glass beads.
Spotting it, students in the back row whispered to each other, “Look at Zelena’s bracelet on her wrist. It’s so beautiful and glossy. I wonder where she bought it.”
“Yeah, it looks way better than mine. It even has that floating color. So pretty.”
“Should we ask her after class where she got it?”
“Do you think she’ll tell us?”
“Zelena seems approachable. I think she might.”
“Alright.”
Class ended.
Several girls gathered around Zelena’s desk.
“Zelena, your bracelet is so beautiful! Where did you buy it?
Hattie, touching up her makeup nearby, heard the question and glanced at Zelena’s wrist, suppressing a smirk. She knew Zelena would definitely show off this bracelet. Look, here it was, on display. What’s the big deal?
Zelena achieved her goal. She pretended to be surprised. “Oh? Are you talking about this bracelet?”
“Yeah!”
“Emerald Bracelets are so trendy now. Yours is the prettiest. Where did you get it? Can you tell us? We want to get the same one.”
Zelena covered her mouth and chuckled. “I got this one in Verdancia.”
Chapter 216
Gillian and Candy, sitting beside Zelena, smugly chimed in, “Oh, Lena bought this emerald bracelet during her summer trip to Verdancia. You guys can forget about it. It’s impossible to find!”
“Yeah, bracelets are just starting to become popular now, but Lena already had hers.”
They continued to flatter Zelena, “It seems Lena is always ahead of the fashion curve!”
Zelena basked in their compliments, modestly replying shyly, “Oh, it’s not as impressive as you say. Bracelets have always been classic! But mine was indeed purchased in Verdancia, so you might not be able to find it.”
Several female classmates looked at each other and thought to themselves.
It’s just a glass bracelet, even if it’s from Verdancia, so what? Zelena’s being way too snobbish.
One of the girls, whose family was also quite well-off, felt a prickle of annoyance at Zelena’s words.
She said, “Zelena, you could just tell us where you bought it. We could easily get a purchasing agent to buy it for us. It’s just a matter of spending a bit more money.”
Zelena chuckled, deliberately being coy. “I said you can’t buy it, and you really can’t, even with a purchasing agent.”
The girl was speechless at her words.
“Is it a limited edition?”
Zelena waved her hand, which was adorned with a bracelet in front of them. “Not a limited edition. It’s just that there’s only one like this in the entire world.”
“It’s just glass. How can there be only one?”
Zelena laughed, a hint of disdain in her eyes as she looked at the girl who had asked. “This isn’t glass! It’s jadeite. Obviously, you’ve never seen jadeite before!”
“Hahaha!”
Gillian and Candy burst into harsh laughter.
From the back of the classroom, Violeta and Kaylee paused their packing, drawn by the raucous laughter erupting near the front.
Kaylee asked, “Vio, what’s all that about? They’re acting like lunatics.”
Violeta glimpsed the bracelet on Zelena’s wrist. “Just Zelena flaunting her new bracelet. It’s got nothing to do with us. Let’s head to training. Last game before the finals tomorrow.”
“Speaking of,” Kaylee grinned, “Guess who snagged tickets to the finals? This girl is right here! I’ll be cheering you on from the stands!”
Violeta was genuinely surprised and touched by Kaylee’s thoughtful gesture.
Tickets to the finals were notoriously hard to get, and Kaylee specifically went to get the tickets.
Violeta and Kaylee then left the classroom together.
As they left, Zelena and her entourage continued their ostentatious display.
“Wait, it’s actually jadeite? Not glass?”
Zelena scoffed. “Of course it is. Why would I wear something as common as glass? This is genuine jadeite, with beautiful green flecks. You’ll never see that kind of natural beauty in man-made glass, not even in crystals.”
Having finished applying her makeup, Hattie couldn’t bear Zelena’s bragging any longer and made a hasty exit.
Zelena saw Hattie leave without much of a reaction.
“It was a gift from Lena’s parents, you know,” Gillian added.
“How much did it cost? It must have been a fortune!” Candy chimed in.
Zelena chuckled. “Oh, it wasn’t that expensive. Just around a million dollars.”
“What? Around a million dollars? That’s amazing!”
Gillian and Candy gasped in unison, playing their roles as devoted admirers perfectly.
The other girls fell silent, the mood turning awkward.
Zelena continued to wave her wrist, showcasing the bracelet. “I’m not being secretive, but jadeite is a finite resource, unlike mass-produced glass. It’s simply in a different league.”
She then added, “Actually, my parents offered to buy me a violet bracelet, but I wasn’t impressed, so I declined.”
The girls exchanged glances.
Zelena’s blatant arrogance was too much to bear.
Several girls turned and left, unable to listen to another word of her bragging.
Gillian said, “Lena, bracelets are so popular these days, but yours is the best-looking! It can beat all the bracelets in the whole school!”
Candy chimed in, “Indeed! Lena’s is made of jadeite. It’s incomparable to those made of mere glass!”
Their words were too much for the departing girls, who turned back to retort, “It’s not as amazing as you’re making it out to be!”
One of the girls spoke up, “Actually, the bracelet trend probably started with the tennis club. Violeta has a stunning bracelet, and it’s the reason my boyfriend got me mine. Everyone who sees it is mesmerized. In my opinion, Violeta’s is the most beautiful one.”
Another girl agreed, “It’s a shame Violeta always wears long sleeves in class, hiding it. But I saw it the other day at the tennis club, and it seems to have three different colors shimmering within it! The luster is comparable to yours, if not even more translucent.”
Zelena, Gillian, and Candy were stunned. Three floating colors? How could that be?
There wasn’t a single bracelet in three colors at the recent auction in Verdancia!
Chapter 217
Zelena insisted, “Fake! How can there be three-coloured jadeite? It must be glass!”
Zelena said firmly, “The auction I attended in Verdancia last time was the best jewelry auction in the world. I participated in the whole process and didn’t see any three-coloured jadeite. What you are talking about must be glass.”
A girl said, “Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, right?”
“Yes, the three-coloured jadeite, the Trinity, is like the crown jewel of jadeite varieties, a rare and sought-after treasure.”
“The Trinity is hard to find, not to mention that Violeta’s bracelet seems to be of superior quality, which is even harder to find. It must be very, very expensive.”
The average three-colour jadeite is very good in glutinous species, and there are more carvings.
Violeta’s bracelet is of considerable value and must be expensive.
Zelena gritted her teeth and said, “I don’t believe it.”
Several girls sneered, “Jadeite with multiple colors is never cheap. If Violeta’s bracelet is real, it’s worth a fortune! Even single-colored jadeite fetches a million dollars, let alone a supreme quality tri-colored one.”
Their disdainful glances pierced Zelena.
They might not afford such luxury, but they seized the chance to retaliate against Zelena’s earlier show-off.
As the girls gathered their belongings and left, Zelena fumed in her seat.
Gillian and Candy rushed to comfort her. “Lena, don’t overthink it. There’s no way Violeta could buy such expensive jadeite. Besides, yours came from a prestigious auction. Even if this tri-coloured jadeite exists, it wouldn’t be available through regular channels.”
Gillian added, “I’ve heard auction house owners hoard the best pieces for themselves. It never reaches the open market. Violeta’s bracelet must be fake!”
But their words brought little comfort.
If the best jadeite never left the auction house, didn’t that imply Zelena’s own bracelet was subpar?
Tennis court.
Violeta, in the middle of a tennis match, suddenly sneezed twice.
Nessie passed by and asked, “Vio, are you alright? Did the weather change give you a cold?”
Violeta rubbed her nose.
“Maybe not.”
She had a hunch that someone was gossiping about
Just then, Jasper and Hayden entered the tennis court.
“Vio!” Jasper called out.
Violeta turned and met his gaze.
“Ready to head to the internet cafe?”
“Sure,” she replied.
Meanwhile, Zoren and Liam were waiting for them at the east gate. Zoren was standing aside smoking, and Liam was looking at his phone.
Suddenly, Zoren felt a presence suddenly close to him. He looked with his head turned. It was, in fact, Lucy.
She stood before him, hands tucked in her pockets.
“What’s up?” Zoren asked.
Lucy lowered her head and said in a cold voice, “It’s my birthday next week. Tell Jasper.”
Zoren scoffed. “Why not tell him yourself?”
Lucy turned to leave. “Just inform him. He can
decide if he wants to come.”
Zoren was left speechless.
Observing the exchange, Liam inquired, “What was that about?”
Zoren flicked his cigarette. “Beats me. She wants me to tell Jasper it’s her birthday next week, and he can come if he wants.”
It seemed Lucy still harbored feelings for Jasper.
Perhaps after Jasper cleared the air about Violeta, Lucy realized her mistake and sought reconciliation.
Soon, Jasper, Hayden, and Violeta arrived at the east gate.
As they got into the car, Zoren relayed the message.
He teased, “Jas, remember what’s happening next week?”
Jasper asked confusingly, “What, are you going to give birth?”
Zoren laughed. “Damn…… think harder.”
Jasper pondered but drew a blank. “Just spit it out.”
Zoren smirked and said, “It’s your ex’s birthday.”
“Which one? I’ve got a few.”
“Lucy’s.”
“Why should I care?”
“She came all the way here to ask me to pass on the message. She even said you could decide whether to show up or not.”
Jasper fell silent, then muttered, “We broke up ages ago. Why would I go? Waste of a gift.”
Violeta buckled in the backseat, and listened quietly.
They reached the internet cafe, played games until nightfall, and then dropped Violeta off before heading home themselves.
The day of the finals arrived.
Zelena, stung by the previous day’s mockery of her bracelet, had spent the night researching online.
To her dismay, she discovered that tri-colored jadeite did indeed exist, just as her classmates had claimed.
Despite this new knowledge, Zelena remained convinced that Violeta’s bracelet was counterfeit.
Zelena. brimming with confidence. had
Chapter 218
Zelena, brimming with confidence, had meticulously prepared two sets of strategies for the finals. She had prepared one strategy to defeat Violeta and another to neutralize Hattie.
As the live broadcast commenced, the four captains took the stage for the draw.
Zelena feigned politeness, gesturing to Violeta, “Vio, you first.”
Violeta, not one for formalities, stepped forward and selected a number ball.
The live comments flooded in.
“She sounds a bit fake.”
“What’s the deal between Zelena and Violeta? Why does she call her Vio?”
“Maybe they’re close off-camera? There’s nothing wrong with calling someone intimate.”
Violeta drew number 1, Evelyn drew number 3, and Hattie drew number 4, leaving Zelena with number 2.
The matchups were set.
The host announced, “Alright! ‘The Mighty Dragons’ vs. ‘Eternal Warriors’, ‘Spring Blossom’ vs. ‘Flame Vanguard”! Let’s give them some time to prepare.”
Descending the stage, Violeta exchanged a meaningful glance with Zelena.
Zelena was inwardly gloating.
“Think you’ll win?” Violeta asked.
“Vio, I’m not the one who’ll lose,” Zelena replied.
“We shall see.”
Meanwhile, Evelyn and Hattie exited the stage together, their tension palpable.
Hattie sneered, “A piece of trash is still trash, even if it manages to crawl out of the garbage. Don’t think you’re anything special just because you’ve had a bit of luck.”
Evelyn’s eyes hardened, a smirk playing on her lips. “Being ordinary isn’t the issue. The issue is thinking you’re a goddess when you’re merely a mortal.”
She paused, then added, “Hattie, do you honestly think you’re worthy to be my enemy?”
“You!”
Evelyn turned and left.
Online viewers buzzed with speculation.
“What was that about? Hattie and Evelyn looked ready to fight.”
As the four captains exited, music filled the stage; signaling the start of the 20-minute preparation period.
Zelena backed into the lounge and immediately messaged Six.
She instructed Six to leak Violeta’s scandalous past and buy trending topics to stir up drama on the livestream.
Alerted to the plan, Violeta readily agreed in the live broadcast room.
“Sure, just wait and see.”
She then took out her laptop and, with a flurry of keystrokes, exposed all the incriminating evidence she had gathered. Meanwhile, Kaylee, acting on Violeta’s instructions, took Shirley’s incriminating voice recording to the event organizers.
The scandal quickly gained traction on Facebook.
Fueled by Zelena’s money funneled into the black market for promotion, it skyrocketed to the top of the trending list.
Meanwhile, the assistant director noticed the explosive trend on Facebook and received an anonymous recording from Kaylee. The sheer volume of attention the scandal was receiving alarmed him.
Without this concrete evidence, the organizers might have been able to sweep the issue under the rug.
However, the evidence was now undeniable. The. organizers could no longer feign ignorance.
Oblivious to the brewing storm, Zelena happily applied makeup in the dressing room, anticipating her moment in the spotlight and Violeta’s imminent downfall. She didn’t know that the table had turned!
The assistant hurriedly took the phone, dialed the photographer under the stage, and swiftly found the director.
“Director, we have a major issue with the live broadcast!”
The director was busy switching camera angles and replied, “What’s the fuss? This is a good thing.”
He glanced at the rapidly increasing viewership, feeling satisfied.
“One of the team captains has been exposed online,” the assistant blurted out. “The scandal is all over Facebook, and the live comments are going crazy!”
The director was stunned at the news. “What!?”
He scrutinized the barrage of comments, which were filled with accusations of bullying and references to a hearing impairment.
With the competition in its final stage, this could spell disaster!
“What exactly happened?” he demanded.
“Quick, put up the banned word list and get the live comments under control!”
The staff scrambled to implement the word filters, which instantly reduced the comment volume by half.
However, this only intensified the buzz on Facebook.
Seeing the situation somewhat contained, the director turned to the assistant for an explanation.
“What’s going on?”
The assistant handed over his phone, revealing a recording of Shirley’s own voice.
The director listened with a frown and then checked the current situation on Facebook.
“This is bad! Zelena has really caused a mess. Damn it! Why did this have to happen now?”
The assistant asked anxiously, “Director, what should we do?”
Chapter 219
“How long is it until the finals start?” the director asked.
“Less than fifteen minutes.”
“How long is it until the finals start?” the director asked.
“Less than fifteen minutes.”
The director immediately stood up from his chair. “I’ll find her!
“If this matter is not resolved and I haven’t returned, let the second group compete first and replace them!”
“Alright, director.”
The director led a group of people to Zelena’s lounge in a mighty manner.
At this time, no one in the lounge went online, and didn’t know what happened.
“Bang… bang …bang!!!”
There was a hasty knock on the door, and Zelena signaled a team member to open the door.
Oblivious to the chaos unfolding online, Zelena and her team remained in the lounge, preparing for the match. The door burst open, and the director rushed in. “Zelena!” the director exclaimed, incredulous. “Your team is in the middle of a crisis, and you’re still calmly doing your makeup?”
Zelena paused with the setting powder puff in her hand. “What? What are you talking about?” The assistant replied, “Hurry up and check Facebook with your mobile phone! Someone on the Internet has exposed your previous school violence to your classmates. The popularity is very high, and many netizens have rushed to our live broadcast room to start the rhythm.”
What!?
Zelena was stunned on the spot. How could it be possible?
Didn’t she settle this matter with money?
Could it be…
That bitch, Kaylee, is she still trying to mess with her behind her back?
Zelena frantically grabbed her phone and opened Facebook. Her eyes widened as she saw her past bullying incidents plastered across the top trending spot.
When clicking on the post, there is an account that has posted a lot of evidence on it.
The sheer volume of attention the scandal was receiving indicated that someone had paid to boost its visibility.
As Zelena scrutinized the evidence, a sickening realization dawned on her. This wasn’t the same information Kaylee had shown her.
It was far more damning and far more comprehensive. The bitch! She had clearly held back the worst of it.
Zelena narrowed her eyes, and a fierce look flashed in her eyes.
“Director, I really don’t know what’s going on. What should I do now…
Zelena spoke to the director with red eyes in fear.
Seeing her state, the director felt a little speechless. “Zelena, who did you offend?
“Someone is trying to fix you at this critical moment in the final. They must have a grudge against you!
“Also, someone anonymously submitted a recording of the girl who was bullied by you at school to our organizer! She also said that if our organizer does not express our opinion, we will directly publish the recording online.”
The assistant director added, “The live broadcast room is under a lot of pressure now, and the rhythm is flying. We used banned words to suppress them before, but netizens will definitely retaliate with a more rebellious mentality. We must find a solution to the problem as soon as possible. You can’t drag it on like this!”
Zelena asked urgently, “What should I do now?”
How could this happen?
Shouldn’t it be Violeta’s scandal that should be exposed now?
How could it become an exposure for her?
Is there something wrong with this hacker!?
Zelena immediately took out her mobile phone and sent a message to Six, but as soon as she sent it, a red exclamation mark popped up.
She was actually blocked by six!
Zelena was so angry that even if she was stupid, she should have reacted. She was just being tricked.
She lifted a rock and hit herself in the foot.
The director said, “Now I think you should apologize online as soon as possible. I think this matter can’t be dealt with coldly. You can’t play on stage either. If you just go on stage, I’m afraid our game will be played by netizens tomorrow. Washed up.”
The power of the masses was enormous.
Moreover, Zelena’s incident is very bad now.
A classmate from a single-parent family was beaten into neurogenic deafness. This classmate is miserable enough. She has no money at home, and she is still a single parent. It was said that her mother is a cleaner who collects garbage and supports her to study.
Neurogenic deafness, huh?
Thinking that if his child was bullied like this at school, the director wished he could tear Zelena apart!
“Apologize?”
Zelena’s eyes widened, and she roared, “Why should I apologize, I won’t apologize!”
The director frowned, and unexpectedly, Zelena still refused to repent at this critical moment.
“If you don’t apologize, how can this matter be suppressed?”
Zelena turned her gaze away in disgust.
The director declared, “That’s it. Regardless of how you resolve this, your team is disqualified from competing.”
Zelena was shocked. “What? How can you do this? We’re in the finals!”
The director’s eyes flashed with anger.
“What do you
expect? With this scandal, if we let you compete, the entire live broadcast will be ruined!
“We can’t let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch.”
“You …
Zelena sputtered in disbelief, but the director had heard enough. He turned and left the room with his entourage, leaving Zelena and her team behind.
Her teammates shared a sense of disappointment. They were passionate about MLSS and had been excited for the finals.
But they hadn’t lost out either, as they were hired by Zelena. While they regretted not being able to compete, it was merely a missed opportunity.
Chapter 220
It wasn’t the member’s fault, but Zelena’s own personal issue with Six. Not a single penny of the payment should be missed.
However, Zelena had already invested so much, and it was undoubtedly a huge loss to her.
She had already spent a lot of money recruiting Six from the black market, paying club members to join the team, bribing Hattie’s team members, and dealing with the fallout from the Kaylee incident, which cost her nearly a hundred thousand dollars!
Now, all that money was gone, and so was her ranking.
The more Zelena thought about it, the angrier she got.
In a fit of rage, she swept everything off the table.
Exiting the lounge, the director turned to his assistant and firmly stated, “Issue an immediate announcement on the official website disqualifying Team Eternal Warriors and banning them from all future competitions.”
The assistant, visibly worried, responded, “But this will completely disrupt the competition schedule. With only three teams left, how will we proceed?”
The director was equally troubled.
This was a live broadcast. Changing the rules now will cause major problems, not to mention disrupting the broadcast schedule and sponsor advertisements.
After a moment of contemplation, the director made a decision. “We’ll switch to a round-robin format with the three remaining teams. Adjust the previously drawn numbers accordingly, having two teams compete first, followed by the winner against the remaining team.”
This would be like a round-robin.
First, determine the first place, then the remaining two teams will compete, and the winner will be in second place.
“It’s our only option now,” the assistant agreed.
The director urged, “Quickly inform the other teams to prepare. We’re on a tighter schedule now. Tell them to use the restroom if needed and get ready to compete!”
“Got it.”
The assistant hurried away to notify the remaining three teams in their respective lounges.
Meanwhile, Violeta monitored online reactions to the leaked information.
She knew that Zelena was facing a major crisis.
It was truly curious how she would clear her name from this school violence scandal.
Her career hung in the balance, depending on how she handled the school violence allegations.
The assistant knocked on Violeta’s lounge door and said urgently, “Are you ready? You’ll be on stage soon.”
Violeta put away her phone. “Understood.”
The assistant rushed to inform the other teams.
Evelyn’s team, originally slated to compete second, was surprised to learn they were now up next and confused about the sudden disqualification of Team Nice.
“Team ‘Eternal Warriors’ qualification got canceled? What happened?”
They looked at each other and said, “If ‘Eternal Warriors’ is out, the numbers will shift, so we’ll be up against ‘The Mighty Dragons’ again?”
This would be the second time “The Spring Blossom” faced “Fierce Dragons”.
Evelyn and her teammates were silent.
They had experienced Violeta and her team’s strength during the previous rounds.
Evelyn, as the captain, quickly rallied her team. “It is what it is. We’re team number three, so we have to compete. Let’s stay calm and focused, regardless of the outcome.”
Within minutes, MLSS’s official website urgently posted an announcement.
They declared the disqualification of Team Eternal Warriors.
In the lounge, Zelena anxiously read the announcement and the mixed reactions from netizens, nervously biting her nails.
Damn it!!!
While many comments praised MLSS’s decision, others expressed sympathy for the remaining Eternal Warriors members who were unfairly affected by Zelena’s actions.
Viewers had witnessed their skills throughout the competition, and it was unfortunate they wouldn’t make it to the finals.
With the team’s disqualification, the other four members had no reason to stay.
“Ms. Reid, we’ll be leaving now.
“Please contact our boss directly if any further matters arise,” they said.
With that, they left the lounge one after another.
Zelena was now alone.
She sat in silence, contemplating her options.
Moments later, Hattie and her teammates passed by the lounge. Hattie, her head held high, cast a sideways glance at Zelena.
She had just learned of Zelena’s disqualification due to school violence.
Hattie sneered inwardly, guessing that someone must be working against Zelena behind the scenes.
“You all go ahead. I’ll join you in a moment.”
“Alright.”
The teammates headed to the live broadcast area first.
Hattie lightly kicked open the half-closed lounge door with her toe, then walked in with her arms crossed.
With a calm, dismissive tone, Hattie remarked, “Lena, looks like you’re in quite a predicament.”
Zelena whipped around, glaring at Hattie. “This is a setup against me! It’s Violeta and Kaylee. I know it!”
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