Chapter 16
Sarah's panic and disbelief were exactly the results I wanted.
She probably never dreamed that the team she looked down on could hide such powerful abilities, even cracking a core program that she found challenging.
George seemed to sense her unease. He leaned slightly toward her and whispered something, probably trying to comfort her.
Sarah immediately straightened her back and shook her head at George. "I'm not scared, just a bit surprised. I didn't expect to meet someone here who could match me, but in terms of overall ability, I'm confident I'm still better than her."
Her tone still carried that deep-rooted sense of superiority.
However, the next few rounds of competition were like loud slaps across the face, hitting her confidence hard.
Our team worked together smoothly with clear thinking and clean, beautiful problem-solving. Almost every round showed our crushing advantage.
Sarah's team, when facing truly difficult challenges, started showing signs of exhaustion and confusion. Though Sarah's quick thinking barely kept them in the game, they had already fallen behind.
When the final scores were announced, the head judge solemnly declared, "The champion team of this Stellar Tech Code-Breaking Challenge is the Voyager team! Additionally, the core team member, code name 'Nightingale,' receives this year's Strongest Individual Award!"
The name Nightingale echoed through the speakers across the venue, immediately causing quite a stir.
"Nightingale? Is that the Nightingale who won three consecutive Masked Hacker Competition championships years ago?"
"I think it's her! I heard she disappeared for a long time, can't believe she showed up here!"
"Oh my god, tonight was so worth it! We got to see Nightingale in action!"
"No wonder she's so strong; her technique is so skilled. This level of ability seems on par with the top code masters in the country!"
The audience buzzed with discussion, filled with amazement and praise.
Standing on stage, even behind my mask, I could feel those burning, curious gazes.
The smile completely disappeared from Sarah's face. She probably never imagined that the competition she had carefully prepared for and was determined to win would be lost to me, and with such an absolute advantage crushing her underfoot.
She probably still didn't know that Nightingale was me.
But my abilities were enough to make her jealous to the point of madness, and enough to make her feel an unprecedented threat.
Terry was very anxious beside her, constantly trying to comfort Sarah.
George's expression remained calm, though his eyes were deeper than usual.
He patted the back of Sarah's hand and said something quietly. Sarah reluctantly nodded.
Then, during the break before the awards ceremony, George stood up and walked straight toward our team's rest area.
He walked directly up to me with a clear purpose and extended his hand.
"Nightingale, pleased to meet you. I'm George."
"Your performance was outstanding. For the next international team competition, I hope you can join Miss Sarah's team and help her win the championship. As for conditions, you can name your price."
I looked at him through my plain glasses.
His eyes held no appreciation, only a matter-of-fact attitude about clearing obstacles for Sarah.
I glanced toward the guest seats from the corner of my eye.
Though Sarah was surrounded by Terry and several people who had come over to flatter her, her gaze kept drifting this way.
Her face showed no joy, but rather a barely noticeable wariness and disdain.
I guessed she was unwilling. Proud as she was, how could she accept a strong ally of unknown origin?
She probably still suspected that I, this Nightingale, was overrated or had used some improper means to win.
But at the same time, she was curious about and wary of my abilities, which is why she had George approach me.
Before I could figure out how to refuse, Terry was already calling out loudly, "Sarah, lots of people over there want to meet you!"
Hearing this, Sarah's face immediately lit up with a radiant smile again.
In her view, being actively sought out by industry bigwigs was the real proof of her abilities and the glory she deserved.
As for me, this Nightingale hiding behind a mask?
Just a small episode on her road to the championship, a tool she might be able to use, but definitely not worthy of her attention, much less worthy of her personally recruiting.
She rushed over to take George's arm, saying sweetly, "George, they're calling us, let's go over."
Watching her leave with that victorious attitude, I sneered inwardly.
Sarah, enjoy your moment in the spotlight.
Just wait and see who ends up getting slapped in the face.
Back in the team rest room, Emily threw her arms around me, jumping up and down with excitement. "Grace, you were amazing!"
"No, you're even more amazing than before. You should have seen Sarah's face! So satisfying!"
She shook me until I was dizzy. I quickly held her still. "Emily, calm down, calm down."
"I can't calm down, you have no idea how long I've been holding this in!" Emily's eyes sparkled. "Tell me, what did it feel like on stage? Were you nervous?"
I took off my hat and mask, let out a long breath, and took a big gulp from the water William handed me.
"Honestly," I wiped the corner of my mouth, still a bit shaken, "from the moment I got on stage, my palms were sweating. After all, I've been away from real competition for so long. I was really afraid I wouldn't be up to it, afraid I'd drag the team down, and even more afraid of embarrassing Joshua. Fortunately, everyone was great, and I managed not to hold everyone back."
William smiled. "You were absolutely stunning. The professor just messaged me saying it was worth bringing you along."
Just then, William's phone rang. He glanced at it and said to me, "The organizing committee just notified us that the mayor will personally present the championship trophy and the strongest individual medal. All winners must go on stage and show their faces to show respect. Grace, you..."
I immediately shook my head. "I'm not going. William, could you please accept the trophy and medal for me?"
"Why not?" Emily was anxious. "Grace, this is a great opportunity to show your face. The mayor is presenting the award! So many people would kill for this chance. You should go up there and let everyone see who Nightingale really is!"
"Let George see clearly how amazing the wife he abandoned is! Make him regret it!"
Watching Emily's indignant expression, I felt warm inside but still shook my head.
"Emily, you don't understand George." My voice dropped. "He seems cold on the surface, like he doesn't care about anything. But actually, he's a control freak who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."
"Today, he could approach 'Nightingale' to recruit her for Sarah. If he discovers that Nightingale is me, what do you think he'll do?"
Emily paused.
I continued, "He won't be shocked or regretful. He'll just think that I still have this much value to exploit, that I've been hiding this card from him all along. Then he'll want to control me even more, either to use me or to completely destroy me."
"Right now, I just want him to sign the divorce papers as soon as possible and completely break free from him. I want to fly into the blue sky, and I can't let this heavy burden drag me down anymore. Revealing my identity will only bring more trouble."
After listening, Emily sighed. "You're right. I was thinking too simply."
"George is definitely capable of doing even more disgusting things. Okay, we won't reveal your face!"
William nodded too. "I understand. Don't worry, I'll handle the award ceremony. You guys rest for a bit."
I put my hat and mask back on and sat in a chair, calming my emotions that were still somewhat excited after the intense competition.
This victory wasn't just about bringing glory to the team; it was also about making my first thunderous announcement in my professional field.
This laid a solid foundation for the path I want to take in the future, for the life Milly and I want.
I thought that after his recruitment attempt was ignored and Sarah was busy socializing with industry bosses, George would temporarily give up on finding 'Nightingale.'
After Emily, William, and I quickly packed up, we prepared to quietly leave and meet up with Milly at Joshua's house for a proper celebration.
However, just as we walked out the side door of the convention center and into the somewhat dim parking lot passage, several familiar tall figures surrounded us, blocking our way.
They were George's bodyguards in black suits, their eyes even more unfriendly than during the day, carrying an undisguised fierceness.
The leader stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on me in my mask and hat, his voice hoarse and forceful. "You, you're Nightingale? Our boss wants to see you."