Chapter 40
Eunice’s endless bragging was so ridiculous, and Zoe couldn’t even respond.
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Eunice took Zoe’s silence as a total shock. ‘Bet she’s speechless now. Finally, something this small–town nobody can’t wrap her head around.
When Eunice finished, Zoe remained silent. Eunice dramatically gasped. “Oh my God, you don’t even know about the mercenary queen, Firefox?”
Eunice quickly covered her mouth, feigning remorse. “Oh, sorry, Zoe. I forgot you just rolled in from the middle of nowhere. Not like you’d ever run in those circles anyway so forget I said anything.”
Then, her tone shifted. “But seriously, I’m worried about your upcoming match with Mr. Shelton. If you lose, will he actually make you pay with your life?”
Eunice lowered her head, looking for all the world like a concerned sister. But the excitement bubbled just beneath the surface–her eyes were practically dancing with glee.
She thought, ‘No doubt Zoe would be no match for Zack. Once she loses, I won’t have to lift a finger, and she will basically eliminate herself. What a total idiot, digging her own grave!
The other students caught every word Eunice said and erupted.
“Eunice, you’re taking this small–town girl so seriously. She knows Firefox? As if!”
“Yeah!”
“She should be worried about her match with Mr. Shelton. All that big talk, and once she loses, she’ll be done for!”
“Total joke!”
As Zoe stayed silent, the students ramped up their mockery, their taunts growing louder and more vicious.
Then, with a calm, voice, Zoe turned to Eunice and fired back without a hint of mercy, “Save your breath.
“You couldn’t even beat me in a basic survival challenge. I don’t think you have the right to lecture me. Maybe worry about yourself instead. And about that match? I’m winning, definitely.”
Her words hit hard, like a slap in the face for everyone.
Eunice’s face turned crimson. She was furious but couldn’t say a thing–everything Zoe said was true.
After finishing speaking, Zoe couldn’t care less about Eunice or the class’s reactions. She walked past everyone and headed straight to her seat. She wasn’t one for extra words–if something could be settled with a punch, she’d rather save her breath.
Eunice was still seething, ready to lead another attack on Zoe. But just then, the teacher walked in.
Today’s class was on business, and the teacher was Sucie Doyle, a well–known venture capital expert in the investment world.
Not long after Zoe sat down, Sucie pulled out a document and stood at the podium. “We’re skipping theory today,” he announced. “I’ve got a business proposal with a major flaw. You’ve got ten minutes to find it and raise your hand.”
She quickly broke down the document’s details and concluded, “This proposal involves a 33 million–dollar investment. Who can spot the problem?”
Ten minutes ticked by, and Sucie asked again.
But not a single student dared to speak up. Despite Sucie’s detailed explanation, they were completely stumped. Most even thought the proposal was flawless.
Seeing her chance to shine, Eunice raised her hand up proudly.
Sucie’s face lit up and she quickly said, “Looks like only Eunice got something to say. You never disappoint, Eunice. Go ahead, and tell us where the proditom is
Eunice thought for a while, then spoke up. The company’s future developinent plan looks good on the surface. But dig deeper, and it’s basically an comply thell. Those timelines? Impossible to hit in just three months. The problem is their unrealistic schedule
“Anything else?” Sucie probed
Eunice truss–that was all she had
“Good start” Sucir said, but you only raugha part of the issue. Anyone want to add more
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Chapter 40
The room went dead quiet.
Zoe yawned. To her, this business plan was just a child’s play, not worth her time.
Just as the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, Cheryl spoke up. “Ms. Doyle!”
Her eyes locked on Zoe like daggers. “Zoe knows the answer. She claimed her idea is way better than Eunice’s–a hundred times better.”
Cheryl had always hated Zoe. She thought this was her perfect chance to humiliate Zoe in front of everyone.
Sucie turned to Zoe, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. “So, you have a better idea?”
Instantly, the classroom exploded with laughter.
“Mr. Cheryl, Zoe’s just a country bumpkin,” a student shouted. “She’s probably never seen 33 million dollars, let alone understand a business plan.”
Another one chimed in, “Seriously! What could she possibly know?”
“Alright, pipe down. Let’s see what this small–town girl’s got!” a third one said.
As the class chattered and mocked, Sucie finally got the full picture of Zoe. She wasn’t looking down on rural students, but she didn’t think someone with zero investment experience spot complex business issues.
Her face darkened–it was a serious class, yet Zoe seemly was causing trouble. “Zoe,” she said sternly, “ignorance isn’t the problem. Pretending to know everything when you clearly don’t is.
“You claim to have a better idea and know the document’s flaws? Prove it. But if you’re just making stuff up, you’ll get detention for disrupting my
class.”
Immediately, the class erupted in laughter and mockery.
“Go on, Zoe, aren’t you the know–it–all? Then tell us already. Where’s the problem in this plan?”
“Prove you’re not just full of hot air, Zoe the Expert.”
“Well, her bragging skills are next–level.”
Suddenly, Zoe slammed her hand on the desk and stood up. Her ice–cold expression and razor–sharp confidence were so intense that a few students nearly fell out of their chairs–and she hadn’t even spoken yet.
Her confidence was so strong. Even Sucie couldn’t help but look at her with a hint of respect.
But that wasn’t even the most shocking part. The very next second, what came out of Zoe’s mouth made everyone in the room widen their eyes in disbelief and gasp for breath.
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