Yvette held the Fraxyia book, Bonnie had forcefully given her, tapping the cover absentmindedly with her fingers. She continued to smile nonchntly, leaning back in her chair with one leg slightly bent, her eyes cold.


    Neither Yvette not Bonnie al knowledged Winona. With so many people watching. Winona felt a bit embarrassed. Noticing the beginner Frixyia book in Yvette’s hand, she scoffed lightly.


    “Yvette, it’s probably toote to start learning now. Why don’t you just admit defeat? I can talk to Sharon about canceling thepetition. You can apologize to me privately, no need to make it so embarrassing. Winona suggested.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Yvette nced at her briefly, then continued to ignore her. Boule couldn’t hold back and spoke up to defend Yvette. “Hey, I forced the book on Yvette, and I got the water for her myself. Just mind your own business. Can’t you see we’re not paying any attention to you!”


    Winona, anticipating Yvette’s impending humiliation in front of thousands, felt a wave of satisfaction and didn’t argue with Bonnie further. She tucked her hair behind her car and leaned down to whisper something to Yvette before leaving


    Bonnie didn’t catch what Winona said, but she noticed that Yvette’s expression remained unchanged, showing no emotion.


    Sharon saw Winona approach Yvette and wanted to follow, but she was caught up with someone and couldn’t break free. By the time she turned back. Winona had already left the room.


    Sharon red at Yvette, determined to humiliate her publicly and make sure she would never recover from it.


    Thepetition in the auditorium today was nothing short of a spectacle. Students with tickets arrived early, filling the hall eager anticipation. Only when the hall was nearly full did Patrick make his grand entrance, while Tobias and the Frixyia Department teacher, Emily, had arrived much earlier.


    with


    Their meeting was somewhat awkward, mainly because Emily felt a bit guilty. Even she thought Sharon’s challenge was excessive. She and Tobias had never had any conflicts in their many years as colleagues, so this sudden situation made her feel ufortable.


    “Oh, Mr. Sundend, d to see you here!” Emily greeted with a smile.


    Tobias, who had manners, refrained from taking his frustration put on Emily, knowing thepetition was strictly between the students.


    Tobias had gotten a fresh haircut for the asion, making him look particrly sharp. He smiled charmingly at Emily, “Happy to see you. I thought I shoulde early. I’m not proficient in Frixyia, so I can’t coach her. I can only sit in the audience and cheer for my student.”


    Hearing Tobias’s words made Emily feel even more guilty. She smiled awkwardly and fell silent, waiting for thepetition


    to start.


    In the second row, Winona and Victor were in high spirits. A few students recognized them, and one curious girl asked Winona about her thoughts on thepetition between Sharon and Yvette.


    Winona, inwardly delighted, outwardly disyed concern. I can’t make decisions for Yvette. Even if she loses, I can’t force her to apologize to me.


    The surrounding praised her for her beauty and kindness.


    “You know, Winona treats Yvette really nicely!”


    “Yeah, I think Yvette is just overestimating herself, epting any challenge, and now she’s going to make a fool of herself.” “Winona is as gentle as an angel, unlike Yvette, who’s always so cold and unapproachable.”


    Jeremiah and Andrew had just settled into seats in thest row of the auditorium when they overheard several girls nearby discussing Yvette, mostly in a negative light. They spected she would lose and used her of showing off.


    Andrew, unable to hold back his irritation, interjected, “Hey, thepetition hasn’t even started yet. Why are you talking like that? Why be so mean?”


    The girls, seeing that Andrew was a handsome guy, blushed but remained defiant, unwilling to ept such a good–looking man defending Yvette.


    “Handsome, we’re not making this up. This is the consensus at Agrol University. Yvette is definitely going to lose. We all know that Sharon’s Frixyia skills are extraordinary: it’s obvious who will win.”


    “Yeah. I’ve heard that Yvette doesn’t even bring her textbook to ss and just sleeps through lectures. Even her physics professors have given up on her. Are we wrong?”


    “That’s right. Gorgeous, you shouldn’t side with people just based on their looks.”


    Andrew cleared his throat. He didn’t particrly like Yvette, but Jeremiah did. Jeremiah’s expression had already turned icy. Andrew wished he could silence these girls.


    “Who says liking Yvette is just about her looks? She has other qualities too. She’s smart, considerate, generous, and well- mannered.” Andrew said, sneaking a nce at Jeremiah, whose expression did soften slightly.


    Andrew mentally patted himself on the back for his cleverness. He wasn’t done, though, and continued, “A man who likes Wette must be the most excellent, most charming man in the world.”


    The girls, overwhelmed by Andrew’s praise of Yvette, found it hard to take. They thought that despite his looks, he seemed a bit delusional


    Andrew let out a proud “hmph” and ignored them. The girls, seeing the stern–faced Jeremiah beside him, stomped their feet and left, not even staying for thepetition. The empty seats were quickly filled by others..


    Before thepetition, Jeremiah went to the lounge, where he happened to spot Yvette near the door. She was leaning against a table, her legszily draped over one side. With her head slightly tilted, Jeremiah could see a hint of impatience in her profile.


    The girls in the auditorium were very noisy, and Yvette was the only one who remained silent and aloof, making her stand


    Yvette nced up and saw Jeremiah standing outside the window. They exchanged a brief look. “Come outside,” Jeremiah mouthed


    Understanding what he meant and feeling increasingly annoyed by the noise in the room, Yvette decided to step out.


    Seeing Yvette leave, Sharon, fearing she might back out, shouted after her, “Hey, now that you’re here, don’t even think about running away!”


    Yvette, who looked quite skinny from behind, paused for a moment, but she said nothing and continued on her way. Jeremiah’s face showed a subtle, barely noticeable pleasure when he saw Yvette emerge.


    The two of them stood at the door, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, creating a sight to behold, though Yvette’s impatience was hard to ignore. “What’s up?” she asked.


    Jeremiah handed the candies he held to Yvette. “Here. You like sweets. This candy is custom–made by me, so you can have as much as you want


    Yvette looked at him, puzzled, unable to believe he came just to give her candy.


    “Oh, thank you.” Yvette took the candy and put it in her pocket, mixing it with the white milk candies she already had. Jeremiah kept ncing at Yvette, thinking she looked beautiful no matter how he looked at her.


    Yvette lowered her gaze, and her indifference and irritation seemed to fade away. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back inside.”


    Jeremiah nodded. “Go ahead. I booked the same steakhouse asst time. Let’s go there after the match.”


    Yvette looked up and saw the affection and trust in Jeremiah’s eyes, then lowered her head and said “okay” softly. “If I win, can I have a little extra?” she asked suddenly.


    Jeremiahughed at Yvette’s innocent question, his eyes filled with joy. “Sure, eat as much as you want.”


    Yvette nodded, clearly pleased with the answer.