Michael insisted in front of the vice-chancellor, “I want you to rate my wife’s performance with the maximum score possible. If she doesn’t achieve first place, I refuse to donate the building.”
The vice-headmaster responded, “No problem, I will make sure that your wife receives the maximum marks available!”
Michael turned towards Harry, stating, “This applies to you too; give my wife the maximum marks available.”
“Okay, fine,” Harry mumbled, rolling his eyes while playing with his cellphone.
That was the reason why Michael thought deeply on how to secretly help Sophia to gain more votes.
In order to be on the safe side, he commanded the vice-chancellor and Harry, “Rate everyone else zero marks other than my wife.”
That meant if the trio gave other participants zero marks, it wouldn’t come close to her score—even if the other judges gave a high score to the other participants.
Harry sighed, “You have the money, so you are the boss. Therefore, whatever you say must be seriously adhered to.”
From a distance, the participants were busy taking photographs, observing that Michael was in a discussion about something, with absolutely no idea on what the topic was.
Meanwhile, Richard’s focus averted from him when he noticed that Sophia was also snapping photos with her cellphone. His focus was completely on Taylor, who was opening his suitcase that contained the dress that she prepared for the show.
The campus belle contest consisted of three events—catwalk, a speech, and a talent show with the first one requiring participants to present the best side of themselves. Hence, it was an important event for all of the participants.
If only Sophia’s dress can be destroyed… Richard’s eyes glinted as she walked past.
While everyone cooed over the two idols, Natasha suddenly emerged from the crowd and instantly made a beeline toward Michael and Harry, who rested in the VIP guest lounge.
“How is she able to enter the VIP guest lounge just like that?”
“What does Natasha want to do with those guys?”
The crowd looked at Natasha with envy as she headed toward the lounge, but they had no choice and allowed her to pass. After all, she was the most distinguished student in Bayside University and one of the daughters in the Mitchell Family.
Who else would have the guts and confidence to strike a conversation with the two idols other than Natasha herself?
On the other hand, Sophia was fuming when she saw Natasha headed towards Michael, “Leave my husband alone!” as she bellowed in her thoughts.
It was at that moment when she understood why Natasha, the previous year’s campus belle, made her way to join the current year’s campus belle contest. Presuming that her assumptions were right, the reason why Natasha joined the competition was because Michael was the judge. Little b*tch, don’t you dare be any closer to my husband!
The vice-chancellor was thrilled when he saw Natasha entering the VIP guest lounge. After all, she was one of the most prestigious students that Bayside University has ever had and was also the previous winner of the campus belle contest. He immediately welcomed her with an overly excited tone, “Why did you enter the VIP guest lounge, Natasha?”
“Vice-chancellor,” she began to start a conversation with a wholesome smile. Her smile had been honed by mimicking the famous models. While maintaining a model’s perfect posture at all times, she continued with her words. “I have also joined this year’s campus belle contest.”
He frowned upon hearing those words. If she joined the competition, wouldn’t that mean that she wanted to go head to head against Sophia?
“Weren’t you the winner of the previous campus belle contest? Why are you competing with this year’s batch?”
Natasha giggled, “Who said that the previous year’s campus belle can’t join this year’s competition?”
The vice-chancellor was at a loss for words as he was stumped. Because of that, he would have felt a sense of guilt if he followed Michael’s request to give a score of zero.
Even so, she and most of the Fletcher Family had no idea of his true identity. In the eyes of outsiders, he was the son of a famous diva, Elizabeth Murray. Thus, everyone assumed that he eagerly tried to enter distinguished families like the Mitchell Family.
The truth was that Michael harbored no plans of entering any esteemed and rich family. Why should I even try to do so when I’m already part of one?
He shrugged off the chance to marry into a prestigious family, giving it to Harry instead. “Aren’t you the one competing today? My rusty piano skills would definitely affect your performance. My friend, Harry, will be the one playing instead. He is skilled in playing the musical instrument; he even achieved the tenth grade when he was eight! Please allow him to be my replacement for the duet.”
If Michael spoke another word to Natasha, he was afraid that it would make Sophia furious!
He skillfully shifted the responsibility toward the innocent Harry, who was busy playing with his cellphone. After hearing those words, Harry raised his eyebrows and mouthed toward him, “I swear…”
Harry’s face wore an irresistible smile when he turned toward Natasha, insisting, “Mr. Fletcher is pulling your leg. I’ve never achieved a tenth grade in piano when I was eight. I only achieved that achievement when I was nine.”
Natasha, who was rejected, did not show any sign of dissatisfaction; in fact, she already had Michael under her watch. It was merely a matter of time before he would be hers, so the small rejection meant nothing to her. “I am sorry for bothering you, Mr Winston.”
“It’s okay,” Harry reassured while smiling, but when no one was watching, he later gave Michael the evil eye.
Michael responded with an amused smile while having an unpredictable expression.
As time went on, it was time for his speech.
So, Michael went onstage and gave a speech, according to his script. His script consisted of babbling nonsense onstage like a product salesman, causing a resonance among the crowd.
Ever since the news of the idols being judges for the campus belle contest were spread, those who did not sign up for the competition started to regret it with a vengeance. There was absolutely no chance for commoners to suddenly show up and join the competition other than Natasha herself—since she had a direct connection with the higher-ups.
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