Michael insisted in front of the vice-chancellor, âI want you to rate my wifeâs performance with the maximum score possible. If she doesnât achieve first place, I refuse to donate the building.â
The vice-headmaster responded, âNo problem, I will make sure that your wife receives the maximum marks available!â
Michael turned towards Harry, stating, âThis applies to you too; give my wife the maximum marks available.â
âOkay, fine,â Harry mumbled, rolling his eyes while playing with his cellphone.
The campus belle contest consisted of three events with each one bearing a maximum score of ten marks. The final score would be a combination of the total score from the panel of ten judges and the online votes.
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, âRate everyone else zero marks other than my wife.â
That meant if the trio gave other participants zero marks, it wouldnât come close to her scoreâeven if the other judges gave a high score to the other participants.
Harry sighed, âYou have the money, so you are the boss. Therefore, whatever you say must be seriously adhered to.â
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, Richardâs 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 eventsâcatwalk, 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 Sophiaâs dress can be destroyed⦠Richardâs 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.
âHow is she able to enter the VIP guest lounge just like that?â
âWhat does Natasha want to do with those guys?â
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, âLeave my husband alone!â as she bellowed in her thoughts.
It was at that moment when she understood why Natasha, the previous yearâs campus belle, made her way to join the current yearâs 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, donât 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, âWhy did you enter the VIP guest lounge, Natasha?â
âVice-chancellor,â she began to start a conversation with a wholesome smile. Her smile had been honed by mimicking the famous models. While maintaining a modelâs perfect posture at all times, she continued with her words. âI have also joined this yearâs campus belle contest.â
He frowned upon hearing those words. If she joined the competition, wouldnât that mean that she wanted to go head to head against Sophia?
âWerenât you the winner of the previous campus belle contest? Why are you competing with this yearâs batch?â
Natasha giggled, âWho said that the previous yearâs campus belle canât join this yearâs competition?â
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 Michaelâs request to give a score of zero.
Meanwhile, Natasha trained her gaze on Michael while she looked toward him and Harry. She extended her alluring hand toward Michael, saying, âNice to meet you, Mr Fletcher. My name is Natasha and I am a sophomore from Bayside University.â
To ensure that Michael acknowledged her, the vice-chancellor added, âMichael, the lady here is the eldest daughter of the Mitchell Family and her father is Alex Mitchell.â
Alex Mitchell was the current family head of the Mitchell family as well as the CEO of the Mitchell Group.
Despite the introduction, Michael did not have much of a reaction. He smiled in his usual manner while shaking Natashaâs hand, responding, âNice to meet you.â
At that moment, Natashaâs eyes were filled with joy.
âHow can she waltz in and shake my idolâs hand just like that? Hmph!â
âAs long as you have a wealthy and influential father, you are also able to shake hands with an idol.â
Students who saw her shaking his hands with their own eyes had reacted in a shocking manner.
As Sophia observed the entire situation, her eyes widened to the length of plates. That was outrageous!
How could that woman shake my husbandâs hands in front of me?! That sl*t was doing that on purpose;
thereâs no way she didnât know that Mr Fletcher was married!
Upon seeing the situation, she was absolutely determined to defeat Natasha in the campus belle contest!
After Natasha shook Michaelâs hands, she maintained a cool attitude of a model and later greeted Harry before calmly speaking, âMr. Fletcher, I heard that you are very skilled in playing the piano. Would you please join me to perform a piano duet?â That was the reason why she joined the competition.
Natasha was a hundred percent sure that Michael would not refuse her invitation; given her background and irresistible looks, there was no way in the world that he would say no to her.
Despite her expectations, he slightly frowned and apologized, âI am very sorry. Itâs been several years since Iâve touched a piano. I may have lost my touch with it.â
âItâs alright. I was only hoping that I would have been able to share the same stage with Mr. Fletcher, thatâs all,â she responded with a slightly contented look in his eyes. With that said, if Michael was not an idiot, he would have understood what she meantâit was a chance to join a prestigious family like the Fletchers.
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 Iâm already part of one?
He shrugged off the chance to marry into a prestigious family, giving it to Harry instead. âArenât 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.â
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, âI swearâ¦â
Harryâs face wore an irresistible smile when he turned toward Natasha, insisting, âMr. Fletcher is pulling your leg. Iâve never achieved a tenth grade in piano when I was eight. I only achieved that achievement when I was nine.â
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. âI am sorry for bothering you, Mr Winston.â
âItâs okay,â 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 herselfâsince she had a direct connection with the higher-ups.