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Novel Catalog
Chapter_37
The atmosphere at Argrol University was charged with excitement as the highly anticipated Frixyia speech competition began. At exactly 1:25 PM, the event kicked off amidst the eager applause of faculty and students. The host, a close friend of Sharon’s, took a few moments to liven up the crowd before introducing the first contestant: Patrick.
Eager to see Yvette falter, Patrick wasted no time with lengthy formalities. The students, expecting a long-winded speech, were surprised when Patrick spoke only a few sentences before officially declaring the competition open. The relief was palpable, and the audience’s applause grew louder, much to Patrick’s satisfaction. What he didn’t realize, however, was that the applause was not for him, but for the unexpected turn of events that had yet to unfold.
A Suspicious Draw and Sharon’s Rising Confidence
Behind the scenes, the host had conspired with Sharon, ensuring that Sharon would be the first contestant while Yvette would follow. As the stage lights flared and the curtain rose, the audience waited for both contestants to appear. But to their surprise, only Sharon stepped into view, sparking murmurs of confusion from the crowd.
“What’s going on? Where’s Yvette?”
“Did she bail last minute?”
“Are we just going to leave without seeing anything?”
Winona, sitting among the crowd, bit her lip and smiled in a way that could only be described as malicious. The host glanced at the script, confirming the process was supposed to go smoothly, but the mix-up left them with no choice but to look at Sharon for an explanation.
Sharon, though unhappy that her moment had been tainted by Yvette’s absence, quickly took the microphone from the host’s hand and addressed the crowd. “It seems Yvette is missing. Perhaps she had an emergency or simply ran off. Either way, it looks like the competition will not continue today. As for who wins, I’m sure we all know the answer.”
Her words were met with louder murmurs and expressions of disbelief. Some students, particularly those who had rallied behind Yvette after the basketball court incident, were furious. They had even made banners to cheer her on, and the sight of them being discarded onto the floor only made John more determined to find Yvette. He picked up the banners quietly, a knot of concern forming in his chest as he thought something might have happened to her.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah sat back, calm yet tense. His eyes were fixed on the stage, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Andrew, sitting beside him, couldn’t help but feel some disdain for Yvette’s absence. “Running away at the last minute? That’s beyond embarrassing,” he muttered, his irritation growing. If Yvette lost, he figured he could easily step in to help. But this, this was just shameful.
Just as the students began preparing to leave, Victor grabbed Winona and started to walk toward the door. But then, an unexpected voice stopped them in their tracks.
A Brave Move: Bonnie Steps in for Yvette
“I’ll compete in Yvette’s place.”
The crowd turned in surprise, and there, at the entrance, stood Bonnie. Her heart raced, and her hands trembled, but she managed to stay composed as she stood before the eyes of her peers. She forced herself to remain calm, knowing there was no turning back.
Sharon, seeing Bonnie’s decision, scoffed. “You’re going to compete for Yvette? Are you serious? She’s a coward, and now you’re going to make a fool of yourself in her place?” Her tone was mocking, and her gaze was filled with disdain.
Bonnie, however, wasn’t intimidated. “Yvette must have had an emergency. She wouldn’t just leave. I’m willing to step in. What are you afraid of?”
Sharon sneered. “Afraid? Fine. If you lose, you’ll have to say ‘I’m a pig’ three times in front of everyone. If you agree, then I’ll compete with you.”
Bonnie, feeling the weight of the moment, knew she couldn’t back down. “Fine, I agree,” she said, her voice steady despite the nerves running through her.
The door swung open again.
The Return of Yvette: A Shocking Twist
Just as the tension in the room reached its peak, a familiar, chilling voice filled the auditorium. It was Yvette. Everyone turned to see her standing in the doorway, her posture straight and confident despite the slight redness in her eyes. Her appearance was striking—her shirt crisp and her long legs poised. The moment she stepped inside, all eyes were on her.
The murmurs in the room grew louder, and even Victor, sitting in the front row, couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. Yvette’s presence was magnetic. As she passed by the back row, she caught sight of Jeremiah and Andrew. For a brief moment, she paused, meeting their eyes. It was a subtle gesture, but Jeremiah noticed, and a small realization settled in his mind—Yvette wasn’t as indifferent as she appeared.
Andrew, who had lost faith in Yvette, blinked in surprise. “She came back…” he muttered. It was clear now that he had misjudged her. He glanced at Jeremiah, who seemed entirely unsurprised, as though he had known all along that Yvette would show up.
The Battle of Words: Sharon vs. Yvette
Yvette moved gracefully toward the stage, every step radiating confidence. As she ascended, Bonnie watched from the sidelines, her eyes filled with admiration and a quiet relief. Yvette had done it—she had come back.
Sharon, still seething with frustration, glared at Yvette but said nothing. She was the first to step forward, already prepared with her notes, ready to reclaim her spot at the podium. But Yvette’s voice rang out, cool and unyielding.
“No need for a draw,” Yvette said, her gaze unwavering. “I’ll go first.”
Sharon, taken aback, exchanged a brief, confused look with the host. It was clear to both of them that Yvette wasn’t playing by their rules. There was no need for further preparation—Yvette had already won.
Sharon, now feeling the sting of defeat, stepped aside. She had thought she was unbeatable, but Yvette had come to prove her wrong.
Yvette’s Speech: A Masterclass in Frixyia
Yvette’s speech was flawless. As she spoke, the audience was drawn into her world. Her pronunciation was impeccable, and her delivery was nothing short of captivating. Sharon, who had once believed she was the undisputed champion, now realized that Yvette’s grasp of the language was not only flawless—it was superior.
Tobias, who didn’t know much about Frixyia, was captivated by Yvette’s poise. Emily, sitting next to him, was equally impressed. “Mr. Sunderland,” she said, “Your student is exceptional. Her speaking skills are on par with someone who has dedicated at least ten years to mastering Frixyia. If this were a provincial competition, she would win hands down.”
As Yvette finished her speech, the audience, still in shock, began to applaud. At first, it was hesitant, but soon, a wave of applause rolled through the auditorium, growing louder and more enthusiastic with each passing second.
Patrick, sitting in the front row, stood up as the applause echoed. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration for Yvette, despite his best efforts to hide it. His earlier condescension seemed like a distant memory now. Yvette had surpassed all expectations, and there was no denying her brilliance.
