She didn''t even need to look to know how they''d see her. How they''d belittle her. Her emotions were all over the ce, and predictably, she bombed the rest of the questions.


    When the scores were finally announced, Joy had only managed to scrape 73 points,nding her ninth in her group. That score was painfully low.


    Joy walked off the stage, utterly dejected, casting a cloud of gloom over the Austenberg team. They were too disappointed and upset to evenfort her. How on earth could Joy, who had performed so wlessly in the previous round, crash and burn so badly this time? "Joy, are you sick or something? Or just in a bad mood? This performance... it''s nothing like thest one," someone asked bluntly.


    "Maybe this is her true level," Selene smirked.


    Joy reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, snapping, "Selene, what nonsense are you spouting!"


    "Why so defensive?" Flora nced at her coolly. "Hit a nerve, did I?"


    "You! All of you!" Joy was fuming, her face flushed with anger.


    "Flora, what''s there for you to be so smug about? Think you''ll definitely score well? You might end up doing worse than me! Better watch out, or you''ll be the one everyone''sughing at!"


    After her outburst, Joy plopped down in her seat, sulking. She knew deep down, Flora would undoubtedly score higher. Regardless of her feelings towards Flora, she had to admit, Flora''s talent was almost supernatural. And that just made her even angrier.


    The host called up the next group ofpetitors. One by one, they made their way to the stage. The rest of thepetition was rtively uneventful. The Austenberg team performed steadily-not spectacrly, but at least they maintained their usual standard.


    Mr. Tanner was somewhat satisfied. He smiled and nodded encouragingly at each contestant as they came off the stage, acknowledging their efforts. Just standing there andpeting was an achievement in itself.


    After several rounds, the Austenberg team found themselves in third ce. The Medical Organization took the lead, followed by the team from M country.


    As another group ofpetitors left


    the stage the host continued calling names From the Medical


    Organization, Crystal, from the


    Austenberg team, Flora, from the RContent held by N?velDrama.Org.


    country team, Chen Jiang


    At the mention of Flora''s name, the previously indifferent crowd instantly perked up, craning their necks for a better view. This was going to be the highlight of thepetition!


    The Austenberg team was buzzing with excitement. With Flora stepping up, they might just catch up and reim the points they were behind on.


    "Flora..." Mr. Tanner began, intending


    to offer somest-minute encouragement. But when he met Flora''s clear, confident eyes, he found himself at a loss for words: Did this powerhouse even need his pep talk? He worried that saying too much might actually throw her off.


    "Just do your best," he managed to say.


    Flora nodded and strode confidently onto the stage. Every eye in the venue was on her.


    Once all thepetitors were on stage, the host instructed, "Please check your equipment for any issues. If there are none, we''ll start thepetition immediately."


    After all the contestants gave the all-clear, he dered, "Very well, then now-let thepetition begin!"


    The crowd erupted with excitement


    as thepetition finally kicked off. Their eyes were glued to the


    electronic screens, more specifically, Flora''sputer screen. They only had eyes for Flora. The other-petitors were merely


    no


    background noise at this point.


    They watched as the question selector appeared on Flora''s screen. With a casual flick of the mouse, she selected a ''9''. The questions popped up immediately.


    The crowd leaned in, eyes wide, hearts pounding in sync with Flora''s. They were more anxious than the one actually answering the questions.