CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 173: A SPECTACULAR SHOW

After returning from watching the sunrise at Mount Avis, Holly Crowe threw herself wholeheartedly into preparing for the Blue Orchid Cup competition.

The day after she returned, she received an email from the organizers congratulating her on her work advancing to the finals.

And soon after, she got a message from Teacher Miles Quill saying, "Await good news, something good is near."

With a vague sense of anticipation in her heart, she remained cautiously optimistic until the final results were announced.

According to the Blue Orchid Cup competition process, finalists have to undergo media interviews.

When Holly arrived at the venue, reporters filled the audience, and their long cameras looked intimidating.

She was a bit surprised, as the Blue Orchid Cup in past years had also drawn attention, but mostly from industry-specific media.

Today’s scene was almost comparable to an entertainment press conference.

But before long, as Shannon Yarrow entered in haute couture and stilettos, everything became clear.

It seemed they had really turned this into a gossip briefing.

Shannon obviously saw her too. At the moment their eyes met, Shannon’s lips curved into a provocative smile.

Her hand absently touched the Mutton Fat Jade Pendant around her neck.

Holly stared at the Mutton Fat Jade Button, a flash of light flickering in her eyes.

After the last online scandal, Shannon had been quiet for a while.

Holly had thought she would calm down, but unexpectedly, she appeared here again in the role of a competitor.

After the organizers of the Blue Orchid Cup briefly introduced the process, they moved into the journalist Q&A session.

As soon as the words fell, a crowd surged forward.

The few professional journalists in the front row who had long followed crafts and arts competitions were instantly pushed to the back by a crowd of excited entertainment reporters.

They aimed their cameras directly at Holly’s face, and microphones and voice recorders were almost poked into her face.

"Teacher Holly, could you comment on the current status of your marriage with Mr. Blake Sinclair?"

"Did President Sinclair’s last forceful removal of trending topics related to you happen because he’s guilty, trying to cover up some truth?"

"An insider revealed that you are already in a separated, divorced state and that the photos from a few days ago at Beldon University were a show to maintain your image?"

One malicious question after another was hurled at Holly.

The other finalists around started casting glances that were clearly displeased.

Literary people have their pride and disdain this kind of entertainment gossip.

Particularly in such a professional venue, letting entertainment gossip overshadow the main event is disrespectful to them and the competition itself.

Holly’s face darkened as she scanned over the most loudly shouting male reporter.

She picked up the microphone on the table and looked at the reporter: "Do you dare to repeat these questions in front of Blake Sinclair?"

He wouldn’t dare, of course.

He just hadn’t expected Holly to directly call out these questions, leaving him momentarily speechless, his face flushed red.

He was embarrassed and secretly indignant.

Holly no longer looked at him, her gaze sweeping across the room.

"Please recognize the occasion. This is the interview site for the finals of the Blue Orchid Cup, a national-level professional crafts and arts competition. Other than questions related to the competition, I will not respond to personal matters."

As her words ended, her gaze crossed the crowd and landed on an old reporter wearing a fisherman’s hat, his hair white.

"Mr. Austin Hughes," Holly’s tone was respectful, "It seemed you had a question for me earlier?"

Austin Hughes is a well-known cultural reporter in the circle, with integrity and deep professional reports, his presence is seen at major domestic art events annually.

Austin was a bit surprised that this young person entangled in gossip knew him; the young apprentice beside him was so surprised they forgot to take out the recorder.

And just then, the security guards hired by the organizers arrived at the scene, swiftly escorting those out-of-place entertainment reporters out.

"Do you know me?" Austin Hughes asked, a scrutinizing gaze.

"I read your reports during college. Your piece ’Helping Ceramic Culture Break Circles and Go Overseas’ was a crucial reference in my graduation thesis."

Holly’s tone was sincere, "Your insistence on traditional crafts in your writing has always influenced me. It’s an honor to be interviewed by you."

The alienation in Austin Hughes’ eyes gradually dispersed.

He originally had a general impression of Holly, having heard some gossip about her before.

And with the Blue Orchid Cup inexplicably adding several event projects this year, he assumed she was a showpiece inserted by capital forces.

But his impression of her was somewhat changed now.

In such a chaotic scene, she maintained composure and clarity of mind, able to speak of a report from over a decade ago, surely she had researched this industry to some extent.

He signaled his apprentice to start the recording device and began the interview.

The further the interview went, the more impressed he became with Holly’s eloquence, his eyes showing admiration.

In the distance, Shannon Yarrow was gritting her teeth!

She had learned that Austin Hughes would be attending, and had specifically fostered a good relationship, intending to use his interview to boost her influence, only to have Holly steal the limelight again!

Watching Holly chatting happily with Austin Hughes, and seeing Austin’s increasingly softened gaze, Shannon almost choked with anger.

The interview session finally ended.

Holly breathed a sigh of relief and was about to return to the lounge for a break when she met Shannon in the hallway.

As their eyes met, any past fake politeness and sisterly camaraderie masks were completely torn.

Staff walking along the corridor unconsciously slowed their steps, frequently glancing at them.

But neither said anything, passing each other expressionlessly like strangers, entering their respective lounges.

Holly entered the lounge and closed the door behind her.

She changed into more convenient and comfortable clothes, and no sooner had she sat down than there was a knock on the door.

"Teacher Holly, I’m the event staff, your car is ready in the first-floor parking lot."

Holly replied, gathered her belongings, and opened the door to go out.

But the staff who had knocked on the door was nowhere to be seen.

She just assumed it was because of the busy work, not thinking much of it, and took the elevator downstairs.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, Shannon’s figure quietly emerged from around the corner.

She watched the descending floor numbers with a cold smile, then took out her phone and dialed a number.

Holly had just stepped out of the elevator, only taking a few steps when she was surrounded by a group of people, cameras in their hands pointed directly at her face.

The leader was the same reporter she had publicly confronted earlier in the venue.

They appeared aggressive, clearly having premeditated to ambush her here.

Holly’s heart sank as she looked toward the hotel entrance, where there was no car waiting for her!

So, the "staff member" who knocked to notify her...

"Holly!"

The lead male reporter sneered as he approached, "What, you think just because you’ve latched onto Blake Sinclair you’ve become somebody, and can ignore us, even dare to have us thrown out? What do you think you are?"

Before he could finish speaking, the camera lenses behind him all pointed at her, flashlights bursting, blinding her sight.

"Holly, is it true that you interfered in the relationship between Blake Sinclair and Shannon Yarrow?"

"Did you manipulate your way into marrying into wealth, is it for money or fame?"

"Did Blake Sinclair rig the system behind the scenes for you to enter the finals of the Blue Orchid Cup, paving the way for you?"

Their questions, each more venomous than the last, were maliciously leading, leaving her no chance to speak.

An increasing number of onlookers gathered, some with phones live-streaming the scene.

In circumstances like these, it didn’t matter anymore what the truth was to anyone.

Holly wanted to seek help from the hotel staff.

But that male reporter immediately saw through her intention, stepping forward to flash his press card.

He loudly announced to the bystanders and hesitant staff, "We are legitimate media, conducting an authorized interview! Please cooperate and don’t hinder the freedom of the press!"

This tactic indeed worked, stopping those who intended to step in from doing so.

Holly was forced to retreat repeatedly, feeling physically uncomfortable under the flashing lights and aggressive questioning.

She raised her hand to try and block the glaring lights, but as she looked up, she saw Shannon standing on the second-floor hallway railing, looking down at her.

Like she was enjoying a good show.