27 The Competition Begins

The business proposal competition began, and the grand auditorium of the Faculty of Economics was filled with an atmosphere of tension and enthusiasm. Rows of talented students from various universities sat neatly dressed in their best suits. Each participant appeared confident, carrying their business proposal documents with pride. Some were busy adjusting their ties, straightening their jackets, or simply taking deep breaths to calm themselves before stepping onto the stage.

The main stage was perfectly prepared. A large screen in the center of the room displayed the competition logo and the list of participants who would soon present their business ideas. In front of the stage, the judges—a group of successful entrepreneurs and renowned investors—sat with serious expressions, ready to evaluate each proposal.

In a corner of the room, Calvin stood still, observing the other participants who seemed more experienced. Most of them came from wealthy families with strong business backgrounds. However, Calvin refused to be intimidated. Clutching his business proposal tightly, he reminded himself that one's background did not determine success.

"Are you ready, Calvin?" Andreas asked.

"Yes, of course. What about you?"

"I'm more than ready. Bastian has taught me a lot!" Andreas replied enthusiastically.

"Yeah, that guy is amazing. Is he coming today?" Calvin asked.

"I’m not sure, probably not."

"Maybe he’s busy," Calvin replied.

"Of course! He’s also one of the top executives at Stuard Corporation!" Andreas added.

"Wow, I didn’t know that!" Calvin started thinking. "Uh, Andreas..."

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever heard the name Lincoln Stuard? It seems like he also works in the same company as Bastian," Calvin asked, suddenly curious about his father’s name.

"How could I not know? Of course, I know! He’s the CEO and owner of Stuard Corporation!" Andreas replied.

"No, I don’t mean him. I mean another Lincoln."

"What do you mean, Calvin? There’s only one Lincoln Stuard! He’s one of the richest men in our country!" Andreas explained.

"Is that so? Hmm, maybe it’s a different company," Calvin murmured, still unable to believe that the Lincoln his mother once mentioned was actually a CEO.

The competition finally began. An MC stood at the center of the stage with a friendly smile, holding a microphone and announcing,

"Good morning, participants and esteemed guests! Welcome to the national business proposal competition. This event is an opportunity for young innovators to present their best ideas in front of top investors and entrepreneurs."

Thunderous applause filled the auditorium. All participants looked even more eager.

The MC continued, "We would also like to express our gratitude to the sponsors who have supported this event, especially our main sponsor—Stuard Corporation! Let’s welcome their representative, Mr. Lincoln Stuard."

A distinguished man in a black suit stood up and walked forward. He appeared confident, with a strong posture and an aura of authority. However, what caught Calvin’s attention the most was his name—Lincoln Stuard.

Calvin stared at the man with curiosity. But as he observed him longer, something felt off. The man had short, curly hair and tan skin—he looked nothing like him.

"So, this is Lincoln Stuard? He does look wealthy and influential, but I’m sure he’s not the one my mother meant," he thought.

His conviction grew stronger. If this man was the CEO of Stuard Corporation, then there had to be a mistake. Maybe his mother mentioned a name that happened to be the same, or perhaps there was another Lincoln Stuard he had yet to discover.

"With this competition, we hope to discover extraordinary ideas that can transform the business world in the future. We at Stuard Corporation are ready to support young innovators in their growth," the man said firmly before returning to his seat.

Calvin took a deep breath. His curiosity remained unanswered. But for now, he needed to focus. The competition was starting, and this was his best chance to prove himself.

After the welcoming speeches from the sponsors and organizers, the competition officially began. One by one, participants stepped forward to present their business ideas to the panel of judges, consisting of investors, academics, and representatives from leading companies.

The MC took the stage again. "Each participant will be given five minutes to explain their business idea, including the vision and mission that form its foundation. After that, the judges will ask a few brief questions before we move on to the next participant."

One by one, the participants stepped forward, presenting their ideas with confidence. Andreas went before Calvin, delivering his presentation clearly and eloquently. Bastian’s protégé was not to be underestimated. The judges looked engaged, and Calvin felt he needed to learn from Andreas' confidence as well.

After several participants finished their presentations, it was finally Calvin’s turn. He walked to the podium calmly. His eyes scanned the room, meeting the judges and audience without hesitation. In a clear voice, he began:

"The application I propose is not just an ordinary food e-commerce platform. This is an innovation that combines entertainment and everyday needs. This app not only connects food vendors with buyers but also features an interactive system that detects users' moods. With advanced technology, the app will recommend food based on the user's emotional state."

The judges seemed intrigued, while some audience members whispered to each other in interest.

Calvin continued, "We aim to create a unique experience for users—not just ordering food but also enjoying gamification within the app. Users can play mini-games that automatically detect their mood, and the system will then suggest the most suitable food options."

One of the judges raised a hand and asked, "What is your business model? How will this application generate revenue?"

Calvin smiled and confidently responded, "We have multiple revenue streams. First, from food order transactions. Second, from advertisements and partnerships with restaurants and food brands. Third, from premium features within the game that enhance user experience. This is not just e-commerce; it is a mutually beneficial business ecosystem."

As soon as Calvin finished speaking, applause filled the room. Many other participants looked impressed, and even the judges exchanged intrigued glances.

The selection process continued, and after several more presentations, the committee announced a break before revealing the results of the first round.

Calvin took a deep breath and stepped out of the hall. He couldn't spot William anywhere—the man whom the dean had long regarded as the strongest candidate was nowhere to be seen.

"Did he really not show up?"

***

As Calvin leaned against the wall, savoring a quiet moment after his presentation, a girl hesitantly approached him. Amity.

Calvin glanced briefly, not expecting to see her there. Amity gave a small smile before stopping in front of him, rubbing her hands together as if searching for the right words.

"I saw your presentation," Amity finally said, her voice softer than usual. "Honestly, I was really surprised. I didn’t expect your idea to be that impressive."

Calvin merely gave a small smile. "Thank you."

Amity bit her lip before continuing, "I’m serious, Calvin. I’ve seen a lot of proposals today, but yours really stood out. It’s unique, innovative, and if I were a judge, I’d definitely consider it a strong candidate to win."

Calvin remained silent, nodding slightly. His eyes briefly met Amity’s before shifting back to the competition hall, which was now mostly empty as participants took their break.

Amity seemed a bit uneasy, perhaps not used to Calvin’s cold demeanor. "I… I’m glad to see you here. And about yesterday… I’m sorry about Jonathan’s behavior. He was completely out of line!" Amity finally brought up her fiancé.

"It’s fine, Amity. I didn’t even take it to heart," Calvin replied.

"But he was so arrogant! Bragging about his company, his latest car, all the assets he owns! He shouldn't have done that—he should have respected you!" Amity insisted.

"Respect me? Just because he was talking to a poor person, he should have acted as if he had nothing so he wouldn’t sound arrogant? Are you starting to pity me, Amity?" Calvin responded, now feeling offended.