Chapter 714 Connections
Inside the office were the judges of the organizing committee and the chairman of the committee, Richard Goodman. Everyone held their breath as they watched Richard, known for his sternness, slowly emerge. It was well known that he didnât like any trouble, especially during competitions.
Styre University had violated Richardâs taboos this time, and people didnât know what kind of punishment Styre University would face. Some secretly gloated at the thought of Styre University being expelled from the competition, while others felt sorry for them. Missing out on such a major competition would be a huge loss for Styre University.
âWhoâs causing trouble?â Richard asked in a cold voice. His deep voice echoed throughout the meeting room, making everyone tense and hold their breath.
Members of the Johnville Team couldnât wait to speak up as soon as Richard appeared. Although Richard was from Alton, he had Theisian heritage, and they were confident he would support the Theisian team.
âMr. Goodman, the troublemaker is this student from Styre University. I heard sheâs just a freshman at Styre University. Such a person shouldnât be appearing in our competition. Styre University is intentionally humiliating us. They have no intention of participating; they just want to cause trouble. Please believe me, Mr. Goodman,â someone said.
Hearing the other partyâs account, Richard frowned. He looked in the direction indicated by the man who spoke just now, and after seeing the petite figure sitting to the side, his eyes widened. âAm I having a hallucination or something?â he wondered. â Otherwise, how could I see her here?â
He asked, âAre you⦠Catherine?â
At that moment, Marshall and the others were anxiously waiting at the door. Half an hour had passed, yet there was still no news. Unable to bear it any longer, he forcefully pushed aside a few friends who were trying to stop him, ready to rush in.
âMarshall, wait a little longer!â
Marshall suddenly shook off their hands and rushed towards the meeting room. âWait for what? Who knows what those foreigners inside might do to Catherine? I have to protect her!â
Just as Marshall reached for the door handle, the previously tightly closed door was opened from the inside. Richard, accompanied by several committee members, emerged from the room, with Catherine standing beside him.
Marshall immediately rushed to Catherineâs side, asking, âCatherine, are you okay?â
âIâm fine,â Catherine responded calmly.
Having confirmed that Catherine was indeed unharmed, Marshall breathed a sigh of relief. âGlad to hear it.â
âCatherine, who is this gentleman?â Richardâs words drew the attention of many.
Catherine calmly introduced Marshall to them. âMy mentor, Professor Marshall Hartley!â
Having heard of Marshall before, Richard smiled and greeted him with a somewhat awkward accent, âOh, Professor Hartley, nice to meet you!â
Having participated in the previous Bide Cup competition, Marshall knew that Richard was the chairman of the competition, so he warmly responded, â Mr. Goodman, nice to meet you too!â
After the greetings, Marshall intended to explain the situation to Richard regarding Catherine. In Marshallâs view, the situation was not Catherineâs fault, and she should not be blamed for it.
âProfessor Hartley, I already know the ins and outs of the situation. I will request the Johnville Team to provide a reasonable explanation and publicly apologize to you. Otherwise, I will demand their withdrawal from the competition.â Richardâs response left Marshall somewhat bewildered. Marshall hadnât even explained yet, and the situation had already turned around. Originally, Styre University was supposed to be expelled from the competition, but now it seemed the other team would be expelled if they didnât apologize.
Richardâs assistant arrived and whispered a few words in Richardâs ear. After that, Richard looked apologetically at Catherine, saying, Catherine, I have some urgent matters to attend to. Weâll talk later!â
âOkay,â Catherine replied, and Richard hurriedly left with his assistant.
Once the others had left, Marshall finally came to his senses. He looked at Catherine, asking, âDo you know Mr. Goodman?â
Upon hearing this, Amelia couldnât help but interject, âThey must know each other. How else could they be on such familiar terms? Catherine, youâre amazing. Canât believe that you have connections on an international level!â
Catherine and Richard were old friends, but she hadnât expected to run into him here. It seemed that she would be meeting quite a few old acquaintances in the near future.
Catherine didnât like to explain things, but Marshall looked eager to know more, so she added, âWe know each other. I told him the whole story. As the chairman of the organizing committee, he has the most basic judgment.â
If Richard were trying to cover up for the Johnville Team, then his chairmanship would have come to an end. As the chairman of the competition, the ultimate arbiter, fairness, and justice were the most basic requirements.
Upon hearing Catherineâs explanation, Marshall nodded in satisfaction. âIt seems that the Bide Cup is not as bad as rumored. At least the officials are fairly impartial,â he said.
Marshall did not like to participate in events held in Bothor because they looked down on Eskanese, and there were many incidents of discrimination and unfairness. However, a lot of top- level events were held in Bothor. To compete with talents from all over the world, his team must participate in these competitions and be forced to accept their rules.
Catherine looked ahead with narrowed eyes, a calm gaze revealing a coldness. â As long as our country is strong enough, the world will change for us,â she said.
Catherineâs words left Marshall stunned. Suppressing the rising excitement in his heart, he said firmly, âYouâre right. As long as our motherland becomes powerful, the world will change for us.â
Not only Marshall but the others were also touched by Catherineâs words. They traveled to other countries to participate in all kinds of competitions, facing competitors from all over the world, upholding not only their own honor but also the honor of their motherland.
When the several leaders sensed the high morale of the crowd, they began to admire Catherine. Originally thought to be a troublemaker, Catherine turned out to be a lucky star.
âAlright, now that the matter is resolved, letâs all go to the meeting room for a meeting!â Marshall said.
Paddy stood at the end of the crowd. He looked at Catherine, the focus of the crowdâs attention, feeling very unhappy. He didnât believe that such a girl could be so powerful. âWho knows what means she used,â he said inwardly. âShe must have seduced the chairman of the organizing committee to achieve the current peace!â He especially despised women who betrayed themselves. He must find an opportunity to let everyone know what kind of person Catherine really was.