Chapter 60: Speech at Capital University
At Capital University, things settled down around Paige. The kiss marks on her neck deterred many male students, while Nancy, embarrassed by the live broadcast incident, dared not come to school anymore. Molly persisted, but she was powerless.
In the days leading up to Malik’s speech, Paige made good use of her time studying in the library. Capital University had a rich collection of books where she could delve into legal knowledge.
She sat quietly in a corner. Sunlight streamed through the window, making her look like a typical university student, concealing her three years spent in the slums.
…
In a blink of an eye, the day arrived for Malik’s speech at Capital University.
Paige had been unable to sleep since 4 a. m., too excited. She had waited three years in the slums for this day.
After today, she could finally leave.
She chose a simple and neat white sportswear outfit to wear. Her phone lay beside her, the one from her wooden box, now on speaker.
Kevin’s excited voice came from the phone, “Finally, today’s the day! I’ll be glued to the internet, watching this drama unfold!”
Paige ignored him and focused on dressing.
“Paige, I’ve got a helicopter ready. Once you cross the border, I’ll come pick you up,” Kevin added.
“Yeah,” Paige replied, standing in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the zipper.
“Everything’s falling into place perfectly this time. Enrico’s out of the country, and once you deal with the Clarkes, you can leave,” Kevin sighed, grateful.
It had been a long time. Finally, he would see the woman who saved his life again.
“Wait for me,” Paige said, hanging up on Kevin and heading out the door.
Olivia and Susan were up early, bustling around in the kitchen.
“Miss, why are you up so early today?” Susan asked, surprised.
Leaning against the door with her bag slung over her shoulder, Paige looked at the two busy women and calmly said, “I’ll take you both out for dinner tonight. Wait for my call.” If she left, Enrico wouldn’t let them off easily. She had to take them with her.
“Oh…” Olivia looked at her curiously, “But Mr. Gustin said you have to come straight back after school.”
“I can skip class for that time, take you out to dinner, and still not go against his wishes, right?” Paige smiled slightly.
Olivia and Susan glanced at each other, seeming to agree with her reasoning.
“Alright, it’s settled then.”
As dawn broke, Paige arrived at the school. She walked slowly into the grand auditorium that could accommodate thirty thousand people. Right now, it was empty, with only a few lights dimly illuminating the vast space.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Paige stood at the back and highest row of seats, hands resting on the chair back as she looked down upon the entire auditorium. Here was where she had arranged the final act for the Clarkes.
Footsteps approached.
Nick and two other men ran towards her, panting, handing her a golden microphone.
“Joss, I’ve taken care of everything you asked,” Nick said.
“Thanks. I’ll reward you afterward,” Paige replied without looking at him, her gaze fixed on the large stage in the distance.
“No need for a reward. I told you, I’m willingly doing this for you. I’m just curious, though. What exactly are you planning to do?” He still didn’t know her exact plans.
“You’ll find out soon enough. Let’s go.”
…
Malik stood in front of the auditorium, shaking hands with several school leaders. They treated him with extra respect, fueled by rumors that Molly was Enrico’s woman.
“Senator Clarke, I’ve rallied the entire student body to listen the speech,” one leader said warmly.
“I’m looking forward to discussing our country’s future with the students,” Malik replied humbly.
Now, leveraging Enrico’s connections, he faced no hindrances wherever he went to speak. His poll numbers made his competitors pale in comparison.
Capital University was his final stop. If he nailed this one, he could climb even higher. Even if Enrico and Molly’s situation cleared up, he’d have secured this competition, positioned himself prominently, and money would flow into his pockets.
With these thoughts, Malik beamed with satisfaction.
As the speech approached, security was conducting final checks. Seeing no one around, Malik asked Molly, “Did you get Bryan and the others to come?” Molly had close ties with several heirs of wealthy families, and Malik had instructed her to invite them to his speech, intending to showcase his strength to potential backers.
“They’re all here. Bryan will be sitting with me later,” Molly complained playfully. “Dad, you only care about yourself, not me.”
“How am I not caring for you?” Malik indulged her.
“You’re not doing anything about Paige. She’s back at school, attending classes.” Molly grumbled, frustrated. Some of her courses overlapped with Paige’s. Every time she saw Paige, Molly wanted to confront her, but she hesitated, fearing Paige’s connections with Enrico and Kevin.
“You’re still a child,” Malik patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Yes, Paige has returned for revenge, but she’s a minor character. What trouble can she cause?”
Molly persisted, voicing her discomfort. “With her around, I feel uneasy. Who knows what she might do next? Are you just going to let her attend classes with me?”
“How can I do nothing?” Malik comforted her, pulling her closer. “I’ve been busy with preparations for the speech. Once I secure the votes, I’ll deal with her quietly. No fuss.”
“When you deal with her, I want to be there,” Molly insisted, determined to see Paige face consequences.
“Alright, alright, I’ll do as you say,” Malik chuckled. “Are you happy now? Dad needs to go on stage for the speech. I can’t stay with you.”
“Yeah, I’ll head to the audience section,” Molly replied, feeling slightly reassured by Malik’s words. She would patiently wait. She would wait for Paige’s downfall.
…
The students streamed into the auditorium. Bryan found the seat Molly had reserved for him and sat down. Almost immediately, voices from behind filled his ears.
“I envy Molly so much. She’s a social media star and now Enrico’s girlfriend.”
“She has a senator for a dad, a big shot in all those corporate circles. What do you have?”
“Do you think Enrico will marry her?”
“I heard he buys her tons of jewelry and even bought her a mansion. That kind of treatment…”
“Ah, what a lucky girl.”
Bryan’s expression darkened as he listened to these exaggerated rumors.
“Bryan?” Molly approached him with a bright smile.
“Yeah.” Bryan smiled back, reaching for her hand.
Molly seemed not to notice, smiling politely as she sat beside him. “Thank you for coming.”
Someone nearby started talking to Molly, and she responded attentively, avoiding any intimate gestures with Bryan.
In the past, Bryan hadn’t minded whether their relationship was public or not. He was confident in himself. But now, looking at Molly, he suddenly felt uncertain. What did Molly really think about him and their future?
Everyone was present.
The lights in the auditorium gradually dimmed, leaving only the stage illuminated.
In the bright spotlight, Malik walked confidently to the center of the stag.
Amidst enthusiastic applause from the audience, Malik began his speech.
Simultaneously, numerous live streams broadcasted online.
Malik was already adept at public speaking, combining humor and wit to win enthusiastic applause from the university students.
Satisfied with the effect, an hour later, Malik concluded his speech passionately, “Country A will stand at the pinnacle of the world! Country A’s students are the pride of the world!”
The applause echoed throughout the auditorium.
“Molly, should we go public?” Bryan whispered to her during a lull in the questions from the audience. Actually, he wanted to ask why she only clarified her relationship with Enrico in front of him, not in public, and letting rumors spread like this.
At his words, Molly hesitated briefly, pretending not to hear.
It wasn’t until Bryan repeated himself that Molly smiled at him, lowering her voice. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I want us to go public. I don’t want everyone thinking you’re Enrico’s girl,” Bryan insisted.
“Don’t be silly. Didn’t we agree to wait until after I graduate?” Molly whispered playfully.
“But…”
“Okay, let’s talk about it after the speech ends,” Molly interrupted with a smile. She didn’t want to go public with their relationship just yet. Even if Enrico wasn’t interested in her, as long as her dad climbed higher, she could aim even higher in marriage.