Chapter 108: Need Any Help?
Walking out of the mall, Paige wandered alone by the roadside. She walked with her head down, watching her shadow move with her.
The night breeze was chilly. She hugged herself as she walked, lost in thought. She thought about her days with the Clarkes and her time in the slums.
Her original intention remained unchanged. She wouldn’t change. If she did, what would be the point of staying here?
A sports car trailed her at a slow pace.
It was Enrico.
The car followed her without stopping, and Paige kept walking.
As Paige walked, her mind raced. If Peak Club was forced to shut down, what other avenues could she pursue to get closer to her goal?
Perhaps, she needed to leave Enrico? Could it be that as long as he was around, she was doomed to fail?
A loud honk pierced the air. The dark gray sports car screeched to a stop in front of her, its gull-wing doors opening arrogantly.
Enrico stepped out, one hand in his pocket, walking towards her.
Standing in front of her, his eyes bore into hers. “Do you really care that much about those useless people in the slums?”
Paige looked at him for a long moment before replying, “I’m an orphan, abandoned by my parents and then by the Clarkes. I don’t have strong feelings for anyone. I just think the elite system is unfair.”
“Lies,” Enrico cut her off bluntly.
“One month.” His calm voice resonated above her.
Paige looked up at him, surprised.
Enrico’s expression was stern. “There’s a month to go before school lets out. If you can make Peak Club take off within this month, I’ll stop interfering. If you can’t, you’ll go on a two-week vacation with me.” Enrico stated firmly. “In one month, the whole country must know about Peak Club and acknowledge its existence,”
“Deal.” Paige agreed without hesitation.
Enrico maintained a stern look and scoffed, “Don’t get too excited. In this month, plenty of people will try to trip you up. Don’t come crying to me for a hug.”
He had set an almost impossible challenge. One month to go from formation to nationwide recognition was nearly unachievable.
“I won’t,” Paige replied firmly. She knew establishing Peak Club was a tough battle, but without Enrico as the biggest obstacle, her path would be smoother.
Enrico’s expression darkened, “You really don’t want my hug, huh? Ungrateful brat!”
Paige, feeling much lighter, smiled and said, “I meant I won’t cry.”
Enrico beckoned her with his hand, “Come on, let’s go home.”
“Okay.” Paige obediently moved closer, and her hand was quickly taken by his.
He ruffled her hair roughly, glaring at her, “Brat, such a temper. If I hadn’t agreed, were you planning on never coming back?”
Paige naturally wouldn’t mention that she was just considering leaving him. Instead, she said, “Then I’ll think of another way.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
“Whatever way you want, your greatest way is just one…” Enrico pointed to himself. “Me. Your man. I am your greatest weapon.”
…
The next day, at the headquarters of the Gustin Group.
Enrico was sitting on the couch, flipping through a book titled “World Famous Landmarks Guide.”
“Boss, are you planning a vacation?” Jaden asked.
“Yes, a month from now, the little one will accompany me for a two-week vacation,” Enrico replied.
In his mind, there was no way Paige could make Peak Club a success. So, he could start picking vacation spots early.
Jaden paused for a few seconds before saying, “Boss, have you really decided to let her develop Peak Club?”
In the past, Jaden would never have dared to question a decision made by Enrico, but now, with Paige around, Enrico was always in a good mood, so he felt brave enough to ask.
As expected, Enrico didn’t get angry. He simply stared at the book in his hand and said, “If she doesn’t try, how will she ever give up?”
“True. Getting the school’s approval and an official stamp for the organization seems nearly impossible. The heirs of the Elite Club will definitely try everything to obstruct her. Without the school’s endorsement, even the most capable organization will lack legitimacy, let alone stand firm in society.”
“That bad?” Enrico chuckled softly. After laughing, a dark look crossed his eyes. “Have someone protect her closely.”
“Understood. Should we help Miss with the process of establishing Peak Club?”
“If it’s not a matter of personal safety, don’t help.”
“Got it, boss. I’ll arrange it right away.”
Jaden bowed and left the office.
Enrico continued reading his book, thought to himself: What if she cries and begs him for help? He can’t help her beat himself, can he? But if she cries too much, he won’t be able to refuse. Oh well, he’ll deal with it when she asks.
…
At this moment, Paige was sitting in a corridor at the northwest corner of the school. Leaning against a pillar, she quietly observed the eight students who had passed her test.
Nick stood nearby, clutching the files, and couldn’t help but whisper, “Paige, only eight? How can this be enough to compete with Elite Club?”
“I told you, quality over quantity,” Paige replied, glancing at Nick.
Nick immediately distributed the files, saying, “These are the competitions that you will each participate in next, and the registration fee will be covered by the club. If you win, the prize money will belong to you.”
A chubby boy in a white T-shirt wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Paige sheepishly, “President…”
“Don’t call her President, call her Paige like we do,” Nick interrupted.
The chubby boy was confused, wasn’t the President named Joss?
Holding his file, the chubby boy said, “Paige, according to the requirements for these major competitions, if the school doesn’t recognize Peak Club, we won’t even qualify to compete.”
He was polite about it, but a nearby girl spoke coldly, “Exactly. Did you even consider that before setting all this up?”
Everyone turned to stare at Paige.
Nick pointed at the girl and said angrily, “Carrie, show some respect!”
“Am I wrong?” Carrie retorted, “If we get kicked out at the competition, it won’t be her embarrassment.”
Nick was about to retort, but Paige laughed, “The fact that you’re here means you’re out of options. If you had another way up, you wouldn’t be choosing Peak Club.”
Some high-level, major competitions require school-approved qualifications, but the school has given all these qualifications to the Elite Club. The eight students in front of her were smart but lacked opportunities, constantly suppressed by Elite Club.
Carrie looked upset, clenching her fists tightly.
“Why rush? These competitions are scheduled after the Student Assembly. In the Student Assembly, Paige will find a way to get the school’s approval,” Nick said.
The Student Assembly was a meeting where the principal and professors addressed student suggestions and requests, including the approval of student organizations.
A boy leaning against the wall said gloomily, “I heard that Carl has already talked to the principal. There’s no way the principal will approve Peak Club.”
“Those elite kids won’t let us commoners get ahead,” Carrie said coldly, “I was naive. ” Carrie felt hopeless and stood up to leave.
Seeing this, Paige couldn’t help but sneer, “If you’ve pinned all your hopes on Peak Club, why are you backing out now?”
Carrie turned back, “Yes, I did put my last hope in Peak Club before coming here. I thought you were different, someone who could accomplish great things. But now that I’m here, Peak Club doesn’t even have a proper place, the sponsors are questionable, and you haven’t even got the school’s approval yet…”
“Getting the school’s approval is my job, not yours. Your job is to compete, win, and climb higher and higher,” Paige interrupted her calmly.
“Do you have a way to bypass the obstacles set by the Elite Club’s heirs?” Carrie asked, her hope rekindled by Paige’s confidence.
“No,” Paige said frankly. She stood up, dusted off her sleeves, and said firmly, “But I do know one thing: no one can stop me from doing what I need to do.”