Chapter 163: Survival of the Finest

Chapter 163: Survival of the FinestAdrian strode out of the meeting room, his lips curling into a victorious smirk as he glanced back at the staff members.

"Told you she'd see me," he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Learn who's important here."

The staff exchanged glances, a mixture of irritation and unease etched across their faces.

Adrian reveled in their discomfort, walking away with exaggerated confidence.

Zara's office was a testament to the agency's transformation.

Times ago, Zara hadn't even had an office of her own. Back then, she worked alongside everyone else, and more often in Victoria's office.

But that was before Crescent Moon became Golden Cosmos, before the agency's rise to prominence.

Now, her office reflected that success. The walls were painted a soft, modern gray, adorned with minimalist art that hinted at sophistication without being ostentatious.

The polished wooden desk at the center of the room was sleek yet functional, its surface immaculate save for a laptop, a stack of neatly arranged files, and a small potted plant.

Behind her, a wide window stretched almost the length of the wall, offering a panoramic view of the bustling city skyline.

Zara sat behind the desk, her posture impeccable. She wore a soft, oversized beige cardigan draped casually over a simple white blouse. When Adrian entered, she looked up.

"Adrian," she greeted, her voice steady. "Take a seat."

Adrian sauntered in, his confidence on full display as he flopped into the chair opposite her. "About time, Zara," he began, his tone laced with mockery. "So long after these finals, and this is the first time you've had the courtesy to actually listen to me."

Zara didn't react to his jab. She folded her hands on the desk, her gaze unwavering.

"You're here because of what happened today," she said, her tone neutral. "Not because I've suddenly decided to entertain your grievances."

Adrian's smirk faltered slightly, but he leaned forward, undeterred.

"Grievances?" he repeated. "You mean being ignored, sidelined, treated like an afterthought while Eratz and his little fan club get all the glory?" He gestured broadly. "Yeah, I'd call those grievances."

Zara remained impassive.

"You're upset," she said simply. "I understand that. But let's set the record straight. I am not your here to joke, Adrian. I am the assistant manager of this agency, and my responsibility is to maintain its standards and ensure its growth."

Her words landed like a cold slap, wiping away Adrian's smugness.

"Then why the hell am I always the one left out?" he snapped, his frustration bubbling over. "Three years, Zara. I've bled for this place. I was one of the first to carry the banner of Crescent Moon before anyone else. And what do I get in return? Ignored! Disrespected! I kept this agency running before any of them showed up!"

Zara sighed softly, shaking her head.

"You're clinging to the past, Adrian. Yes, you were here when Crescent Moon was struggling. But let me ask you this: why do you think you stood out back then?"

Adrian frowned, caught off guard. seaʀᴄh thё Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Because I was good," he said, his tone defensive.

"You were better than the others at the time," Zara corrected, her voice firm but not unkind. "Because they were bad. You weren't exceptional, Adrian. You were just slightly better than the rest. The only prodigy we had was Mercury."

Adrian's jaw tightened, his fists clenching. Zara leaned forward slightly.

"You managed seven battles in your best week, Adrian," she said evenly. "Do you know how many Mercury used to do? Seven... in a single morning. And then Eratz arrived and matched her numbers."

Adrian leaned forward, his voice rising.

"Because I wasn't trying! If the agency had supported us old members, given us the spotlight, I would've had a reason to push myself!"

Zara raised an eyebrow.

"Why would we support complacency? The new members are motivated, driven, and they produce results. Mercury is also one of the oldest but she is still the top performer in terms of matches fought. She carried this agency on her back. Eratz became her equal and saved us when we needed it most. Ryder, while less talented, consistently wins and works hard. Then Kaida, Catarina, and Raya, do you realize how critical they were to our success? Their recruitment wasn't just about talent; they were essential to taking Crescent Moon to the next level. These new recruits are the reason there is a Golden Cosmos in the first place."

Her gaze sharpened, pinning Adrian in place.

"Everything, this agency's rise, its evolution, it's because of them. You're surprised they're treated differently? They've earned it."

Adrian's anger flared, his voice breaking through her calm.

"And I haven't?!" he shouted. "I've given three years of my life to this place! I deserve..."

"You deserve what you earn," Zara interrupted, her voice cold. "And right now, Adrian, your attitude is earning you nothing but a suspension."

Adrian fell silent, his chest rising and falling as he stared at Zara. Her words felt like a

hammer, but his pride wouldn't let him buckle.

"I'll prove you wrong," he said finally, his voice low and sharp. "In the team battle, I'll show you, and everyone else, exactly who I am."

He pushed himself upright, his movements abrupt and stiff, heading toward the door.

"Adrian," Zara's voice cut through the room.

He stopped, his back tense, and turned just enough to glance at her over his shoulder.

"That will be... difficult now," she said, her tone weary, the weight of the conversation etched

across her face.

Adrian frowned, confusion flickering across his expression.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Zara leaned back in her chair, her hands folding in front of her as she exhaled slowly.

"The agency has already chosen two candidates for the team battle."

Adrian froze, his breath catching. For a moment, he thought he'd misheard.

"Candidates?" he repeated, his voice faint and unsteady.

Zara nodded, her gaze unwavering but tired, as if bracing herself for the storm.

"That's not possible," Adrian said, his voice rising, trembling with disbelief. "Candidates for what? I've been with the agency for three years. Three years! I'm not just some nobody, you know I'm right behind all the aces. If you need two more people for the battle, it has to be me. There's no one else! Tell me this is a joke."

Zara tilted her head, studying him with something that might have been pity.

"Adrian," she said softly, "you're not going to like the answer. I'm giving you a chance to hear it and have a bad reaction here rather than making another scene."

Her calmness only fueled the storm inside him. His fists clenched at his sides.

"Who?!" he snapped, his voice cutting through the room. "You're going to tell me. Who?

Who's replacing me?"

She sighed, leaning back in her chair as though the exhaustion of explaining this had already

taken its toll.

"Fine. Brace yourself." She looked at him directly, her words deliberate and steady. "These people we are planning to add are..."

The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting its golden light over a certain middle school.

The grand building stood proudly, with its arched windows and sprawling courtyard buzzing with students, their laughter and chatter filling the cool evening air.

Near the gates, a group of girls lingered, their uniforms crisp and neatly pressed.

They leaned against the railings, their backpacks slung over their shoulders as they chatted

casually.

"Did you hear about Mr. Hensley losing it again today?" one of the girls asked, grinning.

"Yeah," another replied, rolling her eyes. "Poor Danny got grilled so bad he couldn't even get

a word out."

The group chuckled, the memory still fresh and amusing, but then, their conversation was interrupted by a group of boys who sauntered over, their ties loosened and their postures

slightly exaggerated.

"Yo, ladies," one of the boys said, spinning a ball on his finger. "What's the gossip today?"

The girls rolled their eyes in unison.

"Nothing you'd care about," one of them replied lightly.

The boy with the ball grinned wider, nudging his friend. Another boy, taller, stepped forward,

hands shoved casually into his pockets.

"Alright, jokes aside," he said, his voice calm but confident. "Where's Sunshine? Haven't seen

her all day."

One of the girls groaned.

"Seriously? Stop calling her that. It's annoying."

"What? It's cute," he protested, his grin widening. "She should feel special."

"Yeah, she should feel something," another boy muttered, smirking.

Before they could tease further, a sharp voice cut through the banter.

"She has a name, and it's not 'Sunshine.""

The group turned toward the sound, and there stood Colin.

She stepped forward with an effortless grace, her schoolbag held neatly in front of her, her

posture calm and elegant.

"Thanks for the nickname," she said, her voice steady and dignified. "But I don't need one. Just stick to my actual name, okay?"