Chapter 219: Hacker Competition Champion
Amelia and Liam weren't deaf—they could faintly hear the gossip.
But neither of them showed any displeasure, maintaining their calm expressions.
The calmer they stayed, the more embarrassed everyone felt for criticizing Liam.
After all, Liam was someone willing to pay such a huge price for the woman he loved.
If it were any of them, they couldn't guarantee they would make the same choice as Liam in that critical moment.
No matter what, Liam's character was there for all to see.
So everyone didn't look down on Liam just because the Richardson family went bankrupt. Instead, they came forward one after another to greet him.
"Liam, now that your leg's better, let's go play golf sometime!"
"Liam, do you like bowling?"
"Ms. Richardson, when are you free to come visit us?"
In no time, Amelia and Liam became the most popular figures at this engagement party.
Tessa and Mark, the main couple, were left somewhat neglected.
Mark grew annoyed. Using the bathroom as an excuse, he went to smoke.
But after just two puffs, he threw the cigarette away.
Maybe it was his bad mood, but today he couldn't even smoke properly.
Two puffs made him want to throw up, and he felt a bit dizzy too.
He drank some water, which made him feel better, so he didn't touch cigarettes again and returned to the poolside.
Meanwhile, Tessa was talking to Felicity on the surface, but her eyes couldn't help glancing at Liam several times.
Liam was still the same Liam. Though thinner than when they first knew each other, his looks hadn't changed at all.
But somehow, Tessa just felt he had completely changed.
Was it because he’d endured that ordeal and grown more mature?
So mature that it made her heart race inexplicably.
She had heard the guests' comments earlier—they praised him for being loyal and devoted, willing to pay such a huge price for the woman he loved.
And that beloved woman was her.
Undeniably, in that moment, her vanity was greatly satisfied.
Not many men would be willing to sacrifice their legs for someone they loved.
After this romantic thought arose, Tessa looked at Liam even more frequently.
Felicity noticed first and immediately frowned, reminding Tessa.
"You're Mark's fiancée now."
Tessa's heart jumped. She quickly came to her senses and stopped paying attention to Liam.
Only occasionally, when her gaze swept past, would it linger on him for an extra half second.
Soon Mark returned.
He loosened his tie and said to Tessa, "I think I have heatstroke. I can't even smoke—it makes me want to throw up."
Tessa could already smell the cigarette smoke on him.
Billy smoked too, and normally Tessa wasn't particularly bothered by the smell—she was used to it.
But today, for some reason, she suddenly really didn't want to smell it.
She remembered that Liam never smoked.
"If you can't smoke it, just quit. The smell is disgusting," Tessa said.
Mark frowned.
"Is that something you can just quit like that?"
Tessa didn't argue with him.
They were in a relationship by choice. Though their feelings for each other were good, they occasionally argued over small things like any normal couple.
But with so many guests here today, she didn't want to fight with Mark.
However, Mark wasn't slow either. He sensed that after Liam appeared, Tessa's attitude toward him had clearly changed.
His face darkened.
"Tessa, you're not falling for Liam now that his leg's recovered, are you?"
Tessa glared at him.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"I'm not talking nonsense. You're acting weird."
"You're overthinking it!"
Mark clenched his fists, feeling even more dissatisfied with Liam.
Taking the opportunity to toast, he came before Liam.
"Liam, I heard you used to play with computers?"
Playing with computers—meaning Liam knew hacking.
Liam said, "Just a hobby."
"Just a hobby? I heard before that your hacking skills were pretty good, and you were even on the hacker rankings?"
Without waiting for Liam's answer, Mark spoke first, "I'm ranked ninth. What about you?"
People on the hacker rankings basically didn't use their real names, so although Mark had heard from Tessa that Liam was on the list, he didn't know his ranking.
The international hacker rankings were very authoritative. Making the top fifty was already impressive.
Let alone his ninth place?
Mark was proud of his ranking.
He wanted to use this pride to suppress the inexplicable irritation rising in his heart.
"I was sick for several years and haven't been on the list for a long time. Talking about rankings now doesn't mean anything."
The hacker rankings were updated every year.
After Liam got sick, he basically left the hacking world, so he indeed hadn't been on the list for years.
But Mark thought Liam was too embarrassed to mention his ranking after hearing he was ninth.
Mark smiled, his mood greatly improved.
"I was being nosy. Please, help yourself." Mark raised his champagne glass and drank first as a sign of respect.
But after drinking, he started feeling dizzy and nauseous again, and his heartbeat quickened.
He must really have heatstroke.
Mark asked a server for some heatstroke medicine.
Amelia watched Mark's retreating figure, her eyes deep and distant.
She then looked at Francis.
Francis happened to be looking at her.
Their eyes suddenly met. Francis didn't have time to look away, so he simply smiled at her and came over.
"Ms. Richardson, I've heard so much about you. I heard your medical skills are excellent. Could you help check on my brother later and prescribe him something to improve his health?"
"Who are you? I've been very busy lately, I'm afraid I don't have time." Amelia acted as if she couldn't be bothered with him.
Francis didn't press the issue, nodding, "Many people have asked you already. I was being presumptuous."
With that, he turned and left.
Liam asked her quietly, "What does he mean?"
"Don't worry about him." Amelia smiled.
So Liam didn't think much of it.
Soon the engagement party officially began—earlier was just greeting guests. Now that the scheduled time had arrived, they began the engagement ceremony.
The hall had been decorated, full of festive cheer.
Tessa and Mark's engagement party followed the customs of Mark's hometown.
First, both sides exchanged rings, then engagement gifts.
After the ceremony, everyone applauded.
"Congratulations!"
"Just waiting for you two to get married now!"
Both families smiled and thanked everyone, then quickly moved to the outdoor venue.
The mist had long dispersed, replaced by oppressive heat.
Though summer had passed, the weather was still sweltering. Many men had unbuttoned two buttons of their suits.
Mark's forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.
Maybe he was too tired from earlier - he seemed a bit short of breath.
"Tessa," he said to her, "I'm not feeling well. I want to go lie down."
From the corner of her eye, Tessa saw Liam smiling and talking to a woman.
His tall figure was straight as a blade, his handsome face very presentable.
Meanwhile, Mark before her, though also over five-eleven, was at least half a head shorter than Liam. With his hair and forehead covered in sweat, he looked quite disheveled.
She suddenly felt Mark looked embarrassing.
"The engagement party just started, what would it look like if you went to rest now? Can't a grown man handle this little bit of tiredness? Are you even a man?"
Unconsciously, her words carried barbs.
But Mark felt really uncomfortable and didn't want to argue with her.
"I really do have heatstroke."
"Then drink some heatstroke medicine!"
"I already did, I still feel bad. My heart's racing and I can't catch my breath."
"Then take some more!"
She called over a server, not giving Mark a chance to refuse.
Mark clenched his fists but ultimately didn't go rest.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Liam surrounded by many women, and the irritation in his heart rose again.
This Liam was really annoying!
Just wait, he'd find a chance to embarrass Liam.
...
Amelia looked around but didn't see Samuel anywhere.
She thought Samuel would at least appear when the engagement ceremony started, but she still couldn't see him.
Could he have fallen asleep in his room?
Amelia was about to take out her phone to message Samuel when a clear voice suddenly spoke.
"What are you looking for?"
Amelia turned around abruptly - it was Samuel.
"I thought you fell asleep."
"I did. The bed had your scent on it, and I dozed off without realizing."
"Can you be serious?"
"No one can hear us."
They were speaking very quietly.
Amelia was about to remind him not to talk nonsense when someone noticed Samuel.
"Mr. Crawford?"
Samuel turned his head.
Those guests immediately came forward.
"It really is you! I thought I was seeing things."
Soon Samuel was surrounded by people.
Amelia took the opportunity to step away from Samuel's side and walked toward Anna.
"It's time," she said.
Anna nodded.
Moments later, a group of people in uniforms appeared in everyone's sight.
The hotel manager was leading the way for them.
Such a commotion naturally drew many eyes.
"Who are these people?"
"I've never seen those uniforms before."
"Those two following behind look like military officers. They look kind of scary."
"What's scary about them? Billy has two guards with him too, doesn't he?"
After some discussion, the Rodriguez family had no choice but to go ask, even if they didn't want trouble.
They couldn't let the Young family people ask.
"We've reserved this place for today. May I ask who you are?" Mark's father asked.
The middle-aged man in front said, "Sorry to disturb you."
He then introduced himself, "I'm Jerry Nelson from the Phoenicia Cybersecurity Bureau."
At these words, everyone looked at Mark.
Mark's face was somehow very pale.
But hearing the introduction, his eyes lit up instantly.
He immediately stepped forward and introduced himself.
"Mr. Nelson, I've heard so much about you. I'm Mark. Thank you for coming personally to notify me of the competition results."