Chapter 49
Early in the morning, numerous influencers and social media personalities who had caught wind of the news flocked to the gymnasium at Highcrest University. Their goal was to capture what was being called a once–in–a–lifetime, cross–class, life–or–death competition.
Many referred to it as a show that Zoe, the Evans family’s newly returned heiress, had brought upon herself, a move that many saw as both reckless and damaging to her reputation.
In Jelonsburg, the event had already caused quite a stir. The gymnasium’s bleachers were packed early with spectators, all eager to witness the spectacle. Their conversations buzzed with gossip and speculation.
“Huh? Do you know Zoe? She’s so bold, actually daring to challenge Mr. Shelton.”
“I heard she’s from a small town, unsophisticated and uneducated.”
“Hey, don’t mock her. She is the Evans family’s heiress, after all, and that’s a position of privilege. But she’s incredibly foolish. It’s one thing to challenge Mr. Shelton, but to insist on a life–or–death bet. Seriously, I’ve never seen anyone so stupid.”
Eunice and her two brothers had arrived at the school carly and took seats in the front row of the stands. Perhaps out of concern, they had chosen the best possible vantage point.
However, their early arrival meant they had to endure a barrage of insults directed at Zoe, and by extension, the Evans family. Herbert and Jacob’s faces were dark with anger, feeling that the family’s reputation was being tarnished by this whole affair.
Eunice, on the other hand, was seething with excitement. After today, Zoe will be completely out of my life. Then the Evans family will have only one heiress, she thought to herself.
But on the surface, she feigned innocence. “Herbert, Jacob, if Zoe loses and Mr. Shelton really intends to kill her, why don’t we all plead for her life?”
Herbert remained silent, while Jacob scoffed, “I’m not going. It’s humiliating. She’ll beg for herself when her life is on the line.”
Cheryl had also arrived at the scene, intending to sway public opinion. She looked around and noticed that there was no one sitting next to Eunice. “Eunice, didn’t Zoe come with you guys?
“Could it be that she’s already been scared out of her wits and is hiding somewhere?”
Jacob rolled his eyes. “I wish she really had hidden herself, so she wouldn’t bring further shame to the Evans family in Jelonsburg. The family has already been dragged down enough by her.”
Eunice furrowed her brows. She hadn’t seen Zoe that morning either.
Could it be that Zoe really is hiding? That’s not acceptable. If Zoe hides, Mr. Shelton won’t have the chance to kill her. No way am I letting her get away, she thought.
‘I’ll call Zoe and see where she is,” Eunice said, taking out her phone.
At that very moment, Zoe was sitting in a café just off campus, waiting for someone.
The café, usually bustling eyen in the early morning, was nearly empty today. Most people had gone to the gymnasium to watch the spectacle, leaving only a few patrons chatting idly over their meals.
Zoe had ordered a cup of coffee and a dessert, sitting quietly by the window, She didn’t know how much time had passed when a shadow suddenly blocked the morning sunlight streaming through the window.
Before the woman had even taken her seat, she called out to the waiter in a seductive voice, “Hey there, handsome, could I get a cup of black tea and a croissant? Oh, and hold the sugar in the tea, please.”
In the next second, she had already slid into the seat opposite Zoe.
The woman was dressed in a fiery red strapless dress, with a plunging back and thin shoulder straps. Her lips were painted a blazing red, adding to her sultry and alluring appearance. Every movement she made exuded temptation.
She had delicate features and striking red curly hair that caught the eye. Sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting her attractive face
This was none other than Medusa, one of Zoe’s most trusted subordinates and one of the three guardians of Crimson Blaze and Eminence Nexus
As the waiter brought her order, Medusa flirtatiously handed him her phone number and blew him a kiss. “Thanks, handsome. Here’s my number Feel free to call anytime, she said. The waiter nearly lost his balance and stumbled.
“Are you done? Zoe suddenly spoke up, looking at Medusa with a tone that was three parts indifferent and seven parts undisguised disdain.
1/1
12:09 PM
C
