Joyce entered flanked by Jelonsburg’s most powerful figures–nationally renowned leaders and influencers.
Cheryl’s face lit up when she spotted her uncle among them. She rushed forward eagerly. “Ms. Yoder, let me explain what’s happening”
Breathlessly. Cheryl launched into her story. “There’s this joke going around our college. Zoe Evans, that uneducated country girl who Just returned, pretended to be the mystery genius you’ve been looking for.
“And when I called her out, she made this ridiculous bet that the loser would crawl out barking like a dog.”
“Well, this is unexpected.” Joyer’s typically composed expression flickered with surprise.
“Absolutely!” Cheryl jumped at the chance, pointing at Zoe. “Ms. Yoder, look. That’s the girl who pretended to be the genius. She was trying to benefit from your fame.
Joyce’s gaze landed on Zoe. Under the crowd’s intense scrutiny, she began trembling, her face unreadable.
Then to everyone’s shock–Joyce strode toward Zoe with determined steps.
Cheryl and Eunice watched, their hearts racing with excitement.
Everyone knew Joyce ruthlessly punished those who traded on her name. By brazenly crossing that line, Zoe had sealed her fate, and now the crowd waited with bated breath to witness her downfall.
Cheryl tried to add fuel to the fire. “Ms. Yoder, she even stole someone’s invitation to sneak in. When confronted, she had the nerve to claim you personally invited her. She delivered the final blow with relish
The crowd held their breath, expecting Joyce to explode at Zoe and throw her out
Instead, Joyce threw everyone a curveball. She stepped forward, took Zoe’s hand gently, and beamed. “I didn’t think you’d come tonight, she said warmly. “Thanks for saving my life that day… I’m so glad you’re here:”
The room went completely silent as the truth sank in. Everyone stood frozen in shock.
Everyone stared in shock as Joyce held Zoe’s hands and spoke warmly to her. Joyce’s words went against what Kevin had just said about finding the genius.
A shocking realization spread through the crowd. All the guests, including Cheryl and the Evans family members, suddenly faced the unthinkable possibility that Zoe might truly be Joyce’s sought–after genius.
“No! That can’t be right!” Eunice burst out, her fingernails biting into her palms until they nearly drew blood.
Eunice forced herself to stay calm. “Ms. Yoder, my sister just returned from a backward town. She barely had any schooling. There must be some mistake—how could she possibly be the chemistry genius you’re looking for?”
The idea of Zoe being the famed genius was too absurd to believe.
Cheryl stomped over to Joyce, her face red with disbelief. “Ms. Yoder, this must be wrong she shoutesi, pointing accusingly at Zoe She dueui know the first thing about proper manners and stole her way in here. There’s no way she’s that genius girl”
But joyer’s response crushed Cheryl.completely. With a stern frown she said, “I personally gave Zoe that invitation. Are you suggesting I’m too senile is recognize the person who saved my life”
The works in Cheryl like a slap She stumbled back, unable to believe what was happening.
Clara, recovering from the stock quickly, plastered on a stile Zue, darling! Why didn’t you tell me such wonderful news? Were you keeping it as a surprise?”
Za
Clara had never valued Zoe, but now she beamed as she watched Zoe gain Joyce’s favor. She approached Zoe, reaching out to take her
Iectiotutely But Zor umuothly stepped aude, avoiding her compleirly
smile stayed frozen but
That ungrateful gul humiliated me
purposel she thought.
Nearby. Lanier olaerved Claras si
hange in altmade toward due face paled with rage. I knew it. You only came back to take what rightfully belongs to me! she thought, wetling inside.
Herbert and Jacob stood speechless, tou stunned
12
JOTAM
Chapter 19
no one noticed Cheryl edging to
edging toward the exit.
As the room absorbed the shock, no one not
The calculation in her mind was cold and simple–with Zor confirmed as the genius, that humiliating bet was already lost. But she wasn’t planning to get on her knees and bark.
Just as Cheryl tried to sneak away, a wine glass shot through the air, hitting her square behind the knee. Her legs buckled, and she crashed to the floor
Then a voice like ice cut through the air. “Did you really think you could just leave and skip out on our wager after challenging me!”
When she turned her head, she saw
A dark shadow fell over Cheryl. She looked up at Zoe’s cold, unfeeling face and let out a sharp cry. Joyce’s sharp eyes fixed on her like a hawk watching its prey.
Cheryl knew exactly how dangerous Joyce’s anger could be. If she didn’t follow through now, the Duncan family would be ruined in Jelonsburg, Desperate, she started bowing wildly to Zoe. I’m sorry, Zoe. I’ll keep my word–I’ll go right now.”
On hands and knees, Cheryl crawled out of the banquet hall, barking like a dog as laughter erupted around her.
Cheryl clenched her fists at the sound behind her. Zoe, you humiliated me today, but this isn’t over! she thought to herself, fuming.
After the chaos, Zoe managed to escape Joyce and the Jelonsburg big shots swarming around her. She slipped out of the banquet and into the quiet, dimly lit garden behind the Evergreen Hotel
Just then, an excited voice called from the shadows, “I finally met you!”
Zoe turned to see an elderly man with silver hair and a strong posture step out from near the fountain. Even under the moonlight, he looked full of energy.
Donald Hunter stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zoe, his voice trembling with awe. After all, he was standing before the legendary Firefox–the world’s most formidable mercenary, a name as legendary as Shawn’s
She commanded the Eminence Nexus. A single move from her could send shockwaves through the global economy and shift power in the underworld..
Donald could barely contain his excitement. “It’s such an honor to finally meet you.”
Zor, on the other hand, was all business. “Let’s cut to the chase. How’s the job I assigned you progressing?”
Donald straightened up and got serious. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going exactly according to your plan. This time, there’s no way it can
As they finished their conversation and walked away, a hidden figure emerged from the garden bushes. It was Cheryl, who had witnessed everything
Cheryl’s eyes widened. That’s Donald Hunter–top ten on the Capital Peak List and a member of Eminence Nexus! What would a Tycoon like lum le doing with that hick? she muttered.
C
