The head nurse met the grim delegation at the VIP elevator bay, her expression unreadable as she silently guided the Vice President, the teachers, and Jennie down the long, carpeted corridor of the fifth floor.
She stopped before a set of heavy, double-lacquered doors and pushed them open.
Inside the vast luxury suite, the gold lighting adjusted dynamically.
Ava was sitting completely relaxed on the edge of the wide medical bed, her ivory train draped over the side as she lazily swung her legs back and forth over the quartz floor. Her hand was wrapped in thick, pristine white bandages .
Ava glanced at them boredly. "Oh, so you guys are here to apologize? I nearly fell asleep," Ava said as she tilted her head, scanning them up and down, her eyes narrowed playfully.
"Of course we came to fix everything. A competition got everyone carried away, taking it too seriously, and it harmed you. We are here to apologize generously—forgive us and let it go. I have apologized," the Vice President said.
"Are you here to apologize, or look down on me because a common Vice President apologized? Am I supposed to give in to this? This is the thing with you politicians, so annoying. So let us start this again," Ava said as she ran her unbandaged hand through her hair, which was no longer in the high bun hairstyle but had fallen back down around her shoulders.
"Are you here to apologize and make amends because I had evidence of Jennie's sabotage and the teachers plotting, and also had the media spread news that they might be sabotaged? Or are you here to beg for me to let the business of my family and me resume back in Averis? Either one, do you think your 'sorry' would fix anything? If I kill you right now and I said sorry, would your head come back? Should we try it?" Ava said, picking up a silver knife from the translucent dark amber fruit platter and playing with it casually.
The Vice President swallowed, taking a deep breath. He had been explicitly warned by the higher-ups in Averis to fix things immediately. "We will offer a compensation," the Vice President said through gritted teeth.
Jennie bit her lip, looking intensely aggrieved.
"Ava, we had been friends for so long, even if we had not been talking to each other for a long time. Framing us to get what you want is a new low. If it is me you are after, then come for me," Jennie said, looking brave as tears gathered in her eyes.
"At this point, you are just noise pollution. Come on, we are way past this. Not everything is about you, narcissist," Ava said with pure disgust she felt cringed my Jennie acting.
"Wake up. Stop being so self-centered. No one is a fool. Do you think the Vice President is a fool, or those businessmen in Averis whose business has been cut off? Or those organizations working with us that had been cut off? Or those politicians and so on, too, that had suffered massive losses because of you? Because of you, those two officials tried to force me to back off—daring me, making me retaliate so bad that your capital country in Averis is on the brink of suffering due to the massive losses, and all you think is this is about yourself? We have way passed this point," Ava said lazily as she twirled a strand of her red hair, watching Jennie's face go pale with each word that left her mouth.
"It seems your dear senior brother won't be able to help you this time, Jennie," Ava said.
Making Jennie's legs go weak, she stumbled backward.
Before she could even react, the Vice President turned around and slapped her so hard his palm print was left burning on her face.
Then, he turned right back to Ava.
"Forget about her. What is the compensation you are talking about?" he said as he took a deep breath.
The Averis representative teachers had gone completely silent, trying to hide themselves as some held their breath against the lacquer walls.
"To delete all evidence that points at Jennie trying to damage my hand to win in front of hundreds of people on a livestream for millions. That would also be the talk of years to come—a huge hit to Averis, and they might be kicked out of any competition or watched with extra vigilance anywhere any citizens from Averis go to. And also, the other Averis school coming next week for the competition might be affected also, which would be sad." Ava said
She took a sleek document from the integrated medical cupboard. "My assistant had already arranged the documents," Ava said and gave it to him.
"I want tax-free from all business for five years. And also, the three huge government projects, I want it. And also 30 percent off in everything my family business and I do in Averis. And also a free bail out of jail—as I would put it, a get out of jail free card for the things I do for two years. Get it? You can refuse, it is an option. I always give options to people I make deals with, and also the side effects of not following the deal."Ava rested her elbows back on her knees, her hazel-blue eyes locked onto him.
"The quick withdrawal of my dad's business, my mom's, my business, and what my brother owns was a massive hit. So huge you guys were not prepared, so massive losses. There are a lot of people that want to take advantage of that—it might cause inner fighting in the country" Ava said casually .
"And another country that is eyeing the spot of capital country needs just a little push by me. Not only that inner fight, how many spies do you think I have in that country? And guess who would come on top, and so on and so forth. Or, what do you know, make the war bigger. Let the whole 18 countries fight each other. Very easy. Greed is a bad thing, you know. "Ava explained patiently
"Another nation might interfere because war is bad, especially when it involves the whole country in one nation fighting. So another nation interferes to stop it, and as a result, they set a military base in one of the countries... and no matter how you look at it, that country is theirs," Ava said, her tone perfectly casual, as if talking to a naughty child.
"So at the end of the day, you just have to sign. If you have anyone to blame, then see Jennie there—blame her," she said, pointing the tip of the fruit knife directly at the weeping girl.
"And also, you have three minutes. I have already sent the documents to those higher-ups too, and each minute before the three minutes is up, the price of the deal will increase again and again. And your time starts... now," Ava said, looking up at the diagnostic clock flashing on the wall
The Vice President felt the world spin around him. Giving three major government projects to the Quinn companies under Ava's name was like feeding the tiger meat just to make it healthy enough to eat you alive.
Extending a five-year tax exemption to Ava's father, mother, brother, and her own businesses operating in the Averis capital country was basically stripping their homeland of its wealth just to benefit her.
She would use their economy to grow her family's corporate branches, suppressing their own Top to Low-tier Grey, Prestigious, and Elite families everywhere.
Royals, politicians, powerful organizations, and Mafia groups—families with hundreds or thousands of years of history—didn't even have free tax status for five years. That edge would make the competition inside the country terrifyingly dangerous for those at the top, where one wrong move could ruin everything.
And she also wanted a guarantee of a complete legal shield and absolute bail for two years for anything she personally got involved in.
That was a definitive, catastrophic threat. He knew exactly what she was capable of—she had inherited her grandmother's crime organization, and under Ava's hand, it had grown so massive it bordered on untouchable.
As if that wasn't enough, the hidden dark forces of the Hayes family were under Ava's direct control too, acting as a second ruthless shadow group hidden completely beneath the legitimate, legal corporate empires Ava's mother ran.
It was her mother's personal business, entirely disconnected from the frontline Hayes name, but no law could ever trace it or prove it, even if the underlying blood trail was glaringly obvious.
The Vice President whipped his head around, his eyes shot with blood as he looked at Jennie and the teachers. "Get the hell out of my sight!" he growled through his teeth.
Terrified by his raw fury, Jennie and the faculty members scrambled backward and quickly ran out of the luxury suite.They fled down the quartz corridors of the clinic and retreated straight back to the main event hall.
By the time they slipped back into their sections, the timer had already run down and the competition had officially ended. Crownside High had won.
The enormous display screen flashed the final score, cementing their victory as a thunderous wave of applause vibrated through the gold-lit arena.
Students applauded, hugged one another, and congratulated the participants who had represented their school.
With the trophies settled, the grand ceremony moved into the final protocol of the day.
One of the highly respected legacy queens from the southern section rose from her dark wood table, her long royal gown sweeping gracefully against the floor as she took the stage.
The hall gradually quieted.
She smiled warmly at both delegations.
"Today, we have witnessed the true depth of our youth's potential,"
the Queen announced, her melodic voice carrying flawlessly across the thousands of silent guests. "Today, we witnessed more than a competition."
Her gaze moved between the Crownside and Averis students.
"We witnessed skill."
She paused.
"We witnessed creativity. Discipline. Courage. Teamwork. And, perhaps most importantly, the willingness to stand before the world and give everything you have."
The crowd applauded.
"Crownside has won today, and they deserve to be celebrated." She added
The Crownside students cheered.
"But Averis should not leave this hall believing that they have gained nothing."
She smiled.
"Your students demonstrated remarkable talent. They challenged Crownside repeatedly, forced them to adapt, and reminded everyone here that excellence is not created by winning every time."
The Averis delegation applauded politely.
"Both teams gave their best."She inclined her head."And that deserves respect Both teams pushed themselves to the absolute limits of their training. The precision displayed by the Averis delegation and the unmatched brilliance demonstrated by Crownside High prove that the future of our Union rests in exceptionally capable hands. Win or lose, the skill brought to this stage today is an honor to both nations."
The hall erupted into a sharp, disciplined round of applause as the Queen offered a dignified nod and walked elegantly back to her seat in the VIP rows.
The moment she settled, one of the prominent world presidents stood up from his table, buttoning his tailored jacket as he strode to the center of the platform to give his own address.
The hall quieted again.
He smiled.
"Neither path determines your worth."
Several students nodded.
"What matters is stability. Discipline. And the courage to continue working when the result you wanted does not come immediately."
His gaze swept across the hall.
"Today's competition will eventually become a memory."
He gestured toward the students.
"But the skills you developed here, the friendships you formed, the mistakes you made, and the lessons you learned will remain with you."
He paused.
"Work toward your goals."
'True mastery is not born overnight; it is forged through relentless grit, stability, and an unwavering commitment to your goals," the President stated, his strong voice echoing dynamically through the media microphones.
"The stability of the Elysia Union relies on the continuous growth of our next generation. Let the victories of today inspire you to work harder, and let the failures serve as a lesson to refine your strategy. Keep your eyes on the horizon and never stop building."he added the. Walked back to the south section.
Another wave of heavy clapping rolled through the eastern and northern sections, the press corps furiously clicking their cameras to document the diplomatic display.
Finally, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd, one of the supreme Grand Judges—who held the absolute authority of a Grand Elder—stood up directly from his designated seat in the southern section.
Unlike the others, he didn't walk toward the stage.
He didn't even bother walking to the stage,He simply remained where he was, standing beside his table. choosing instead to deliver his decree straight from the high-prestige VIP area.
His presence alone was enough to quiet the hall.
The entire hall instantly fell into a suffocating, deeply respectful silence.
"The Unity Holiday reminds us of something far greater than celebration."
His aged voice was steady.
"Unity was not born from comfort."
The hall became silent.
"It was born from suffering."
The Grand Elder looked toward the students.
"October is our month of remembrance,"
the Grand Judge declared, his weathered, ancient voice carrying an undeniable, sovereign authority across the room. "This Unity Holiday is a sacred reminder that our world was once completely broken by three thousand years of unyielding warfare.
"Our ancestors lived through the Great War. They watched nations destroy one another. They watched families disappear. They watched humans fight humans, hybrids fight hybrids, and entire communities turn against those they once called their neighbors." He said as he looked at everyone
"Our ancestors bled to understand that peace is not an act of weakness, but the ultimate demonstration of strength. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by petty rivalries or short-sighted pride. We must honor the fallen by protecting the balance we have inherited. Guard our borders, protect our alliances, and continue to walk forward as one indivisible Union."
The words settled over the audience.
"Unity does not mean that we are identical."
He raised one hand slightly.
"It means that our differences no longer have to become reasons to destroy one another."
Several leaders lowered their heads.
"War teaches us what happens when greed, hatred, fear, and pride are allowed to grow unchecked."
His voice became firmer.
"Peace teaches us that rebuilding requires patience."
He looked toward the Crownside and Averis students.
"So today, as we celebrate this Unity Holiday, remember those who came before us."
He smiled faintly.
"Remember what they survived And remember what they built."
He slowly lowered his hand.
"We have inherited a world they fought desperately to create."
His gaze hardened with quiet determination.
"Do not spend your lives looking backward."
"Learn from the past Honor the dead And then…"
He paused.
"Walk forward."
For several seconds, nobody applauded.
The hall simply remained silent.
Then, slowly, the first clap sounded.
Another followed.
Then another.
Within moments, the entire hall rose into a standing ovation.
The two girls from Averis walked slowly onto the stage, their footsteps echoing against the polished black floor.
One of the girls had her hand bound in heavy medical bandages, a stark reminder of her failed attempt to sabotage her own performance just to force a draw.
The other girl walked tightly beside her, playing the part of the devoted, supportive companion.
As they reached the center, the two girls bowed deeply toward the crowd. Instantly, the Western section erupted into a frenzy of flashing lights.
Paparazzi, journalists, and news anchors furiously adjusted their lenses, capturing every micro-expression.
The girl with the bandaged hand slowly dropped to her knees, lowering her body into a formal bow of deep contrition. Her friend immediately followed her down, kneeling right beside her.
This is Monday chapter sorry for the delay I had already promised to do better so I will work on that Tomorrow you will get your one chapter early from now on