Chapter 104 First Place

Chapter 104 First Place

"You know perfectly well how you got that high score." Faced with Isabella's aggressive provocation, Olivia didn't even lift an eyelid.

Isabella saw her unmoved and felt her smugness catch in her throat.

She assumed Olivia was just being stubborn. She leaned in and lowered her voice. "I've already bribed the judges. There's no way you'll get a high score." Then she smiled provocatively. "You're destined to lose to me!"

Olivia glanced at her and asked casually. "Aren't you afraid I'm recording this?"

Just one sentence was enough to throw Isabella into a panic, her previous smugness completely gone from her face. She glared at her and warned through gritted teeth. "You wouldn't dare!"

Olivia crossed her arms, looking calm. "If you don't get lost right now, I'll submit the recording to the officials immediately."

"You just wait!" Isabella talked tough, but her feet quickly carried her away.

Idiot. Olivia sneered inwardly. If she had bothered to read the competition rules, she would know that no electronic devices were allowed during the competition.

The competition continued, and before Olivia's turn came up, another high score appeared.

"It's over. Why do I feel like the top three spots are already decided?" Nina wailed, her face full of gloom.

She turned to face Olivia beside her and asked, "Olivia, are you confident?"

Her score of eighty-four had completely lost hope, but Olivia hadn't gone on stage yet—maybe she could still fight for it.

Olivia smiled and shook her head, saying uncertainly, "I'm not sure either."

"Contestant number forty-eight! Please prepare to go on stage next!"

Hearing her number, Olivia immediately stood up, secretly gripping her speech notes tightly, feeling nervous despite herself.

"Good luck!" Nina beside her patted her shoulder and joked. "When you get rich and famous, don't forget about me."

She had always believed in her.

"Okay." Olivia couldn't help but laugh. Nina's interruption eased most of her nervousness.

After waiting another five minutes, it was finally Olivia's turn to go on stage.

The music started, and the spotlight fell on Olivia. She experienced a wave of disappointment as she noticed the audience whispering and ignoring the stage.

She had always heard how strict the selection process for this competition was, how high the requirements were. But when she finally stood on this dream stage, she suddenly realized that what they cared about might never have been clever ideas and outstanding designs, but scores and reputation.

How was this different from those competitions held just to make money?

Olivia hid the emotions in her eyes and was about to start her speech when she caught sight of Alexander sitting in the first row out of the corner of her eye.

The moment their eyes met, Alexander smiled even more gently and quietly gave her an encouraging gesture.

As she stood there in a daze, Layla, noticing her unusual state, gently reminded her that she could begin her speech.

Their encouragement and support helped Olivia regain her confidence. She held back the sting in her eyes, put on a smile again, and began her speech with grace and confidence.

After the speech ended, the judges began scoring.

Looking at the screen full of ninety-nine scores, Isabella backstage completely lost her composure and muttered in disbelief. "How is this possible! They clearly promised me...!"

Realizing she had said too much, Isabella quickly shut her mouth. She looked around, and seeing that no one had noticed what she just said, she hurried into the restroom.

After locking the stall door, she immediately made a phone call and said in a sinister voice. "Activate Plan B right now!"

After the last contestant left the stage, the officials announced the top three on the spot. First place Olivia Harper, second place Marcella Shaw, third place Isabella Harper.

But just as the host was inviting the top three to come on stage to receive their awards, Layla from the judges' panel suddenly called a halt.

The host looked confused and questioned. "Ms. Scott, what's going on...?"

Layla stood up under everyone's gaze and declared firmly. "I'm formally reporting that Isabella bribed the judges. I demand her competition eligibility be revoked!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole venue erupted.

"I knew her data had to be fake! My dream girl submitted a proposal last year that was way better than hers, but didn't even make the top five. How did she get third place!"

"Check the first place too. They have the same last name—I suspect they're sisters!"

"If I'd known we could throw money at it, I would've wanted to get third place too to make my parents happy!"

Jonathan, once in the spotlight, was now mocked by the whole audience. He didn't say anything, but his face looked terrible.

Isabella, caught in the middle, felt even worse, unable to avoid the ridicule and scorn directed at her.

"So that's why someone was so cocky earlier—turns out she really had connections." Seeing Isabella's scheme exposed on the spot, Nina couldn't have been happier. She ran over to Isabella with a smile and kicked her while she was down, saying with mock seriousness. "What a shame, you were so close to getting third place."

Then she shook her head with fake regret. "Better luck next time!"

The failed plan had already filled Isabella with rage, and being mocked by Nina like this made her fury overflow. She raised her hand to hit her. "You bitch!"

Who was this bitch to point fingers at her situation!

The security captain appeared in time to stop her action and warned coldly. "Ms. Harper, your competition eligibility has been revoked. Please leave immediately!"

"What gives you the right to kick me out!"

Seeing Isabella refuse to cooperate, the security captain didn't argue with her. He just gave a look to the security guards behind him. Two guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed Isabella's arms, and forcibly escorted her from the scene.

Meanwhile, in the audience, Jonathan suppressed his anger, pretended not to hear the whispers around him, and looked at Olivia on stage with expectation.

It was fine. Although Isabella embarrassed him, Olivia truly earned her first place.

He didn't have just one daughter—why should he leave!

After clearing Isabella's results, her third place position went to the original fourth place.

During the award ceremony, after the new top three were in position, the judges came on stage one by one to present the awards.

Suddenly, Olivia vaguely felt the spotlight above her head flicker.

Was it an illusion?

She looked up in confusion. In a split second, she saw the spotlight in the first row shake briefly twice, then fall without warning!

Oh no! Alexander was in danger!

"Alexander!" Olivia's pupils shrank. She pushed aside Layla, who was about to present her award, and rushed toward Alexander below the stage.

The accident happened too suddenly. Before Alexander and the others could react, Olivia pushed Alexander out of the way.

The next second, the spotlight crashed heavily onto Olivia's leg. Blood instantly soaked through her pants, and she passed out from the pain on the spot.

"Olivia!"

"Olivia!"

"Call an ambulance!"

The scene instantly descended into chaos.