Chapter 56
"I didn't cheat."
I denied it immediately.
"Then how do you explain surging by two hundred thousand dollars in under four seconds when the countdown was almost over!" Olivia demanded furiously.
I was just as confused. Who had dropped that money at the last second to push me into first place?
"As long as time hasn't run out, all donations are valid. I didn't break any rules. If you don't believe me, you can request to see the donation records."
"You think I won't?" Without hesitation, Olivia turned to the host. "I suspect there's something wrong with their donation amount. They might have hired a hacker to break into the system and alter the numbers, so I demand you immediately release their dance company's donation records!"
I had the same suspicion, so I didn't stop her.
In this kind of charity event, fraud was the ultimate taboo.
Tonight's audience was packed with powerful figures. If this matter wasn't cleared up, not only would my reputation be damaged, but the dance company would be dragged down too.
Soon, the host received authorization and released our company's donation records.
"The donation records have been retrieved. Please look at the big screen."
I immediately looked up. The entire donation period lasted only one minute.
In the first thirty seconds, the amount had accumulated to four million nine hundred thousand dollars. After the fortieth second, donations became smaller and slower, until the last four seconds, when a two-hundred-thousand-dollar donation successfully came through right before the deadline.
From the records, everything looked completely legitimate.
But Olivia fixated on that final two-hundred-thousand-dollar donation.
"Why were there almost ten seconds with no donations, then suddenly two hundred thousand dollars dropped in the last four seconds? That's definitely suspicious."
"And this account called L—in the first thirty seconds, they already donated two million dollars. Then, at the very end, they deliberately timed it to donate another two hundred thousand during the countdown!"
"I bet L is a plant Lucinda hired!"
Hearing her suspicions, others began expressing doubts about the situation.
Some wealthy socialites pointed at me and whispered among themselves.
Even though I couldn't hear what they were saying, I knew it wasn't anything good.
But I didn't care about any of that.
Seeing Olivia growing more agitated, I didn't want to waste time arguing with her. I turned directly to the host.
"Has tonight's charity reached its donation cap?"
The others looked confused.
"What cap?"
"These fundraising events have caps?"
The host smiled and explained, "Indeed, tonight's charity fundraiser does have a cap, but we haven't come close to reaching it yet."
"So there's no rule against repeat donations?" I pressed.
The host nodded. "Correct. All publicly displayed records are valid and authentic."
"Olivia, you heard that, right? This whole thing about repeat donations and plants is just your narrative." I smiled faintly. "Are you really that sore of a loser?"
"What are you talking about? How could I be a sore loser?"
Olivia fumed, then seized on another detail.
"Even so, what about that five-second gap? If someone hadn't deliberately tampered with the system, how could there be such a long gap?"
"That L is definitely your plant!"
"Otherwise, how could they successfully time the donation so perfectly!"
Seeing her refuse to let it go, I turned to the host. "Since Ms. Thomas won't believe I'm innocent, please reveal L's identity."
"Well..."
The host looked uncomfortable.
But the next second, as if receiving some kind of instruction, he immediately changed his tune.
"All right, then let's invite Mr. L to come up on stage."
I followed his gaze, but saw nothing.
Ten seconds passed. No one stood up.
The audience below began whispering, speculating that this L was definitely problematic—otherwise, why wouldn't they dare come on stage?
Some even started believing Olivia's baseless accusations, thinking this L was a plant I'd hired to win first place and claim the grand prize.
In an instant, I was pushed to the center of the storm.
"Lucinda, you won't beat me tonight."
Olivia deliberately walked over beside me, lowering her voice.
"Might as well tell you—to make sure your amount couldn't exceed mine, I already bribed someone to set up an intercept in the system. This L is a tech person I arranged. Once they show up, it'll completely confirm your donation fraud!"
I stared at her in disbelief. "How can you be so despicable?"
Olivia looked unfazed. "All's fair in war. You're just stupid!"
"Besides, how could I possibly lose to trash like you—someone who steals other people's fiancés and bullies the weak!"
I clenched my fists in anger.
If the setting weren't so inappropriate, I would've thrown a punch right then!
"Mr. L, this way please."
Suddenly, the host's voice rang out clearly.
A victorious smile immediately spread across Olivia's face.
My heart tightened silently.
I looked back toward the audience seats again.
At that moment, a cold, imposing figure stood up.
Leopold!
How could it be him?
"How is it Mr. Percy!"
Olivia was equally shocked by this turn of events.
The surrounding murmurs instantly vanished, replaced by thunderous applause.
Leopold walked steadily onto the stage, his deep eyes sweeping past me before he headed straight to the host's side.
"Mr. Percy, please say a few words." The host consciously stepped aside.
Leopold's features were stern, his voice coolly detached.
"I'm Leopold Percy. I'm also L."
My heart tightened again, my thoughts spinning into chaos.
When Olivia and I made our bet, Sophia had been right there. With her love of stirring up trouble, how could she not have told him about our wager?
If he knew, why would he still help me?
Wasn't he afraid that if Olivia lost, Sophia would cry and throw a fit at him?
Or could it be... he was actually moved?
In that instant, countless thoughts flooded my mind.
"As you all know, I rarely attend public events. My presence tonight was coincidental. But I'm grateful for that coincidence, which allowed me to witness the true meaning of this kind of event. I'm honored to be here with all of you tonight to witness the magic of art..."
His voice was measured and steady, yet carried to every corner of the venue.
"How can this be? Sophia clearly said..."
I heard Olivia's muttered words and immediately looked over, wanting to hear what Sophia had promised her.
But Olivia seemed wary and said no more.
She shot me a resentful glare and stormed off in a huff.
With Leopold stepping forward, the negative press surrounding me quickly evaporated.
Everyone recognized our dance company's abilities.
After the performance ended, our company indisputably took first place, claiming tonight's charity event grand prize.
Which meant we were eligible to attend the upcoming business banquet and get close to representatives from top-tier dance companies.
The director was thrilled and quickly instructed us to go backstage, remove our makeup, and change.
She also said we should meet directly at the banquet entrance.
I wanted to find Olivia and make her fulfill our bet, so I headed down toward Silverlight Ballet Company's dressing room.
Halfway there, a chill suddenly crept up my spine.
Just as I was about to turn around, someone covered my mouth and nose from behind.
A pungent smell shot straight to my head.
My vision immediately went dark, my whole body losing strength.
The next second, I lost consciousness completely.