Zoe Nash shook her head decisively and answered with a smile, "She and I are very much connected!" The competition went smoothly. One hour later, Eleanor Winslow, serving as the fourth speaker on the opposing side, delivered the concluding remarks, which were met with thunderous applause from the audience. Zoe Nash, sitting in the position of the fourth speaker for the affirmative side, looked somewhat uneasy. The level of the speakers from both teams was almost equal for the first three rounds, but the fourth speaker was the most outstanding. Zoe Nash was more adept at debating than many had anticipated, especially skilled at advancing by retreating, seizing her opponent’s weaknesses when they let their guard down. However, Eleanor Winslow achieved a crushing victory on the field; she remembered every word everyone had said clearly, maintained clear logic, and her succinct remarks hit the nail on the head. Evidently, Eleanor Winslow’s team from Aethelgard University had a slight edge. It wasn’t over yet; next, each team would select a representative for an impromptu debate confrontation, which would be Eleanor Winslow and Zoe Nash. If nothing unexpected happened, Eleanor Winslow would achieve another complete victory! There was a fifteen-minute intermission. Eleanor Winslow went backstage and checked her phone, seeing messages from Blake Lockwood and Jeanette Grant; the former congratulated her on winning in advance, while the latter, wielding a long-focus camera, sent a high-definition photo of her speaking. Caption: [Beauty is just a word! Would you like to buy more beautiful photos of yourself? Including professional edits!] Eleanor Winslow chuckled, and as she looked up, she happened to see Zoe Nash on the phone, her eyes full of grievance—clearly throwing a tantrum at her family. Eleanor Winslow didn’t really want to see this scene, so she went out for some fresh air. Upon returning, she passed by the office and overheard the conversation inside: "Principal Thompson, as the main sponsor, can’t I even have requests regarding the language for the impromptu confrontation?" "Ms. Nash, this is a competition, we cannot use public resources for private gain." "This is an international competition, and your school being the best domestically, do your competitors not even know English? My daughter Zoe grew up in Europe; today she participated in your team competition using Chinese. Shouldn’t internationally recognized languages be given a chance? Otherwise, who knows if the result is due to debating skill or language barriers?" Upon hearing "my daughter Zoe," Eleanor Winslow instinctively walked to the door. Two people were sitting opposite each other on the black sofa in the office. For more chapters visıt 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱 The man in a suit was the organizer, and the woman opposite him wore a brown fur coat, with a string of jade beads around her neck resembling those Eleanor Winslow retrieved from the auction, though not of as good quality. The woman was turned sideways, almost with her back to the door, so Eleanor Winslow could barely see her face, only a rounded profile and a slender neck. Behind that fair ear was a faint red mark. Eleanor Winslow froze in place, as if plunged into an icy cave. ——Her mother’s left ear also had a faint red mark, a scar from an accidental injury sustained while protecting her as a child. "Ms. Nash, to be frank, today’s competitors have substantial backgrounds too, and I’m worried that if there’s a fuss, it won’t look good for anyone." "Oh? A troublemaker?" The woman understood but with a touch of disdain, "I don’t care what kind of troublemaker it is; if things don’t go my way today, I’ll not only withdraw sponsorship immediately but have other means! You should clearly understand, language adoption has always been a flaw!" Eleanor Winslow felt as if her heart was being gripped tightly by a hand, a sharp pain that made breathing difficult. Delia Sullivan finished looking in the mirror, confirmed her makeup was perfect, and turned to see Eleanor Winslow returning absentmindedly, frowning in displeasure, "Eleanor, what are you daydreaming about? You’ll be on stage shortly! We just won the team competition; losing to Zoe Nash in the 1v1 would be a massive embarrassment for our school!" The individual confrontation is often more exciting than the team confrontation and is more susceptible to subjective judgment. If Eleanor Winslow loses to Zoe Nash, not only will Eleanor be criticized, but some might claim Aethelgard University’s win over the European Team was just luck. Eleanor Winslow’s complexion was indeed unsightly, her state evidently off, causing others to also look at Eleanor. "Miss Winslow, what’s wrong?" Zoe Nash also noticed and walked over, concerned, "...Why are you looking at me like that?" Eleanor Winslow’s gaze was undisguisedly cold, startling Zoe Nash. "Here’s a new piece of information for everyone!" At this moment, the voice of the man from the meeting room broke in. The man glanced at Eleanor Winslow and then at Zoe Nash, formally announced, "This is an international competition. Considering different native languages of contestants, for fairness, the next impromptu confrontation will be conducted in English!" Everyone backstage was momentarily silent, all eyes on Eleanor Winslow and Zoe Nash. Zoe Nash, being an Asian-European, spoke English as her mother tongue, clearly having an advantage. Requiring Eleanor Winslow to suddenly switch to English without prior preparation and using obscure professional jargon was akin to setting her up for public embarrassment! "The competition rules never stated this beforehand. We have the right not to accept." Julian Jacobs walked over from somewhere; his attitude in defending Eleanor Winslow was unmistakable. "Who are you anyway? I didn’t ask for your opinion; this is the organizer’s notice!" The man, feeling slighted, immediately burst into anger. Julian Jacobs glanced at the badge on the man’s chest, took out his phone, and sent several messages. "English it is." Eleanor Winslow said calmly, looking at Zoe Nash. Zoe Nash inexplicably felt a chill, forcing a smile, "No, no, I can speak Chinese, just... it might not be as good as yours." Eleanor Winslow was indifferent and unyielding, "Then use the language you’re skilled in." ——Leave her speechless! Delia Sullivan looked at Zoe Nash and then at Eleanor Winslow, seemingly deep in thought. Seeing Eleanor Winslow agree, the man barely had time to feel pleased when a call suddenly came through, his face turning ghostly pale instantly, "F-Fired? Why? I haven’t done anything wrong, I’m still at the competition site, I—" The man’s disgruntled retort abruptly ceased, terrified, he looked at Julian Jacobs. However, Julian Jacobs was wholly focused on Eleanor Winslow, giving no attention to him, as if he were no more than an insignificant ant. "Is it really okay?" Julian Jacobs asked Eleanor Winslow softly, "Eleanor, if you don’t want to, I can—" "Senior, it’s really fine!" Eleanor Winslow suppressed her heart’s ridiculous amusement and sorrow, confessed like a secret to Julian Jacobs, "Actually, I learned English and Cantonese first as a child, then learned Chinese." ——That woman, does she not remember it? Is that why she believes that changing the rules to English at the last minute would oppress her, paving the way for Zoe Nash?