Chapter 155
155 The Draw of Fate
It turned out Alice had a sponsor all along.
That evening, just before the finals were about to begin, the host called everyone over to draw lots for the matchups.
Meanwhile, Boston took the stage to sing.
Thanks to his star power , the crowd’s energy hit a fever pitch.
Two songs later, the drawing was complete.
Boston cracked a short stand–up comedy routine while the organizers tallied the matchups.
Finally, the host directed everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone, please look at the screen.
On the big screen, the tournament bracket appeared, showing who would be facing whom.
Linda looked up immediately.
easy to spot–top row, first column,
Her name was easy
And next to it was Eric.
She blinked. That can’t be right.
Linda rubbed her eyes and looked again. Still Eric
How could this bell
She had once been Eric’s fiancée. Before he’d slipped into a coma, he’d been a grandmaster–level chess player.
Even Gary had approved of the engagement back then, fantasizing that her marriage with Eric would elevate their family’s standing in the chess world.
So yes, she knew just how powerful Eric was.
And Linda… well, she didn’t stand a chance. She’d probably get crushed 2-0, no contest.
In the lounge, Daniel’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Alice.
“I always thought you had a gift for IT, Mrs. Nolan,” he said, eyes wide.
“But now I know–it’s not just talent. You’re a genius.”
Earlier, when the system was supposedly drawing opponents randomly, Alice had casually fiddled with her phone and somehow influenced the outcome.
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UDAU
155 The Draw of Fate
Just like that , she’d influenced the results.
It was unreal
Alice smiled faintly. “I didn’t do anything”
Daniel gave her a look as if to say, “Yeah, right.”
She sighed.
The truth was, she had been monitoring the code the entire time.
If the match–up didn’t go her way, she planned to intervene.
But luck or something else–had been on her side tonight.
Daniel scratched his head in disbelief. “Wait! You’re telling me the system really did assign them randomly?”
Alice raised an eyebrow. What else would it be?”
Daniel let out a stunned, “No freakin‘ way. Linda really pulled the short straw today.”
Alice chuckled at his reaction.
“You don’t seem to like her very much.”
Even though Alice was the real heiress , Linda had been considered Eric’s fiancée for years.
Wasn’t that enough to earn her some respect?
Daniel snorted.
“Can’t stand fake people like her .”
He even gave a little shudder, rubbing his arms.
“You never know when someone like her gonna stab you in the back. Gives me the creeps”
Alice couldn’t help but laugh.
“You speak from experience?”
Daniel scratched his head and gave an awkward smile. “Let’s just say ancient history. You don’t want to
know.”
Alice understood.
He was carrying scars–someone who’d been through a rough breakup and never quite recovered. Now he was all out of trust, maybe even out of love.
“ Alright then,” she said, changing the subject and sparing him the discomfort. “Let’s just watch the show
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155 The Draw of Fate
Daniel let out a sheepish laugh and turned to the screen with her.
The match had already begun.
Just as the host announced the round, Linda stepped up to the board.
Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at Eric. Her lips moved slightly, like she wanted to say something but this wasn’t the time or place..
So she stayed silent, tears quietly spilling down her cheeks.
The match was being broadcast live worldwide.
Which meant everyone–yes, the entire world–was now witnessing this melodramatic stare–down between a former fiancée and her current brother–in– law .
Or wait–scratch that.
Eric wasn’t even looking at her.
Instead, he checked his watch and asked the referee, If my opponent doesn’t sit down by the appointed time, does that mean she forfeits?”
The referee a middle–aged woman in a sleek gown–was caught completely off guard .
She’d been silently absorbed in the drama, shipping the star-crossed pair like everyone else. Now Eric’s cold interruption had her speechless.
The livestream chat, however, went wild.
“Fiancé–turned–brother– in –law–next stop, executioner?”
“Mr. Eric, why won’t you even look at her? Were you born without eye contact abilities?”
“Ref was here for a soap opera. Eric brought a murder mystery.”
“Am I the only one who actually feels bad for Linda? She lost her fiancé because of an illness!”
“Yeah? And Alice lost 20 freaking years of her life because her identity was stolen!”
“Linda: I don’t care. I cry, therefore I win.”
“Do you think Eric’s coldness is all an act?”
“Maybe he’ll let her win in the end.”
“If he can’t marry her, maybe he’ll help her reach the top instead. Ugh, I’m crying.
“I know you cry way too easily, bro, but hold back your tears for now,
“Can you all shut up? I can’t see with all these comments flying by.”
Comments kept escalating in absurdity, and the host was too embarrassed to read them out aud, so they decided to hurry things along.