Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Just Business (Part 10)

The moment Don refused Dr. Gadget's suggestion, it was as if a collective breath had been sucked out of the stadium.

The crowd, previously screaming with excitement for Starboy, suddenly fell silent, stunned that someone had dared to speak so directly to their golden hero.

Whispers quickly began spreading through the stands, but the shock and disbelief remained.

Up in the VIP viewing area, Don's reply caused a bunch of reactions as well.

The high-profile attendees in the room exchanged quick glances, their whispers low but unmistakably intrigued.

Most of them recovered quickly, fixing their expressions and pretending to be unbothered by the bold declaration Don made. Yet, despite their best efforts to hide their curiosity, there was no denying that Don's words had sparked something—if only for a moment.

Not everyone in the room hid their reactions, though. Miss Claire, sitting with her usual grace and poise, allowed herself a smile—one that was both alluring and approving.

She didn't bother to disguise her satisfaction, the subtle curve of her lips sending a message of quiet confidence in her client's decision.

Beside her, Dean Sanchez was in the midst of composing himself, still recovering from the initial shock of Don's boldness.

His expression had shifted from surprise to a forced neutrality, though the uneasiness on his face remained. And just as he seemed to regain control over his appearance, he spotted Mrs. Dugarte moving toward them. The sight immediately made his stomach drop.

She looked visibly angry as she approached in quick long strides, only stopping once she reached in front of Miss Claire. She placed her hands on her hips, and looked down at Miss Claire with eyes that burned with frustration.

"What does that nobody think he's doing?" Mrs. Dugarte demanded, her voice low but sounding quite venomous.

Miss Claire didn't bother to look up at her. She instead casually picked up the glass of sparkling water beside her, bringing it to her lips for an elegant slow sip. Sёarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

After savoring the cool liquid for a moment, she finally responded, her tone as calm and smooth as ever.

"I'm not familiar with this 'nobody' you speak of," she said, the words escaping her lips like a perfectly calculated dismissal.

Mrs. Dugarte's eyes widened in disbelief, her knuckles tightening against her hips as she grit her teeth. "Who do you think you're talking to?" she spat, her voice rising with barely concealed anger.

Setting her glass down gently, Miss Claire raised her head slightly, though her gaze remained indifferent. "A woman who thinks the world revolves around her," she answered in the same unbothered tone, "when, in fact, the only thing swirling around her are delusions. One such delusion being that I don't see her for what she really is—loud, obnoxious, and bitter."

Dean Sanchez's mouth fell open in shock, his eyes darting nervously between the two women. He wasn't alone either—everyone in the VIP area had now taken notice of the confrontation.

Though they all pretended not to care, their glances and whispered exchanges told another story. All eyes were, in one way or another, fixed on the exchange between the two women.

Mrs. Dugarte's face flushed with anger, her entire body trembling as if she were about to explode. "How dare you—" she began, but before she could finish, a low, smooth male voice cut her off.

"What seems to be the problem here?"

Dean Sanchez was the first to turn toward the voice. His eyes widened, and he immediately stood up, his hands nervously fumbling as he straightened his jacket. "Chairman!?" he exclaimed, sounding both nervous and surprised. "I-I didn't know you'd be coming…"

Dean Sanchez extended his hand eagerly, but the towering figure before him ignored it, his gaze fixed elsewhere.

The man standing before them was a striking presence. He was tall—easily towering over the others at about 215 cm—with broad shoulders and a muscular frame that was evident even beneath the designer suit he wore.

The suit itself was unique, a deep crimson in color, with elegant patterns inspired by traditional Chinese fashion. The high collar and intricate embroidery gave him an air of regal authority, as if he were a leader from an entirely different era.

His face was as impressive as his physique—sharp, angular features with a strong jawline. His skin was of a fair complexion, clear and smooth, and his dark, almond-shaped eyes conveyed both warmth and power. His black hair was neatly styled.

Mrs. Dugarte's expression shifted instantly. Gone was the barely contained rage; now, she looked more irritated than angry. "Mr. Xiao," she acknowledged curtly.

The man smiled, his expression warm and approachable, though the power behind it was undeniable. "Just William is fine when we're not conducting business," he said in a kind, polite tone.

Despite his outward charm, it was clear to everyone in the room that he had no interest in Mrs. Dugarte's greeting. He had brushed past Dean Sanchez and Mrs. Dugarte without a second thought, his attention fully focused on Miss Claire.

"Oh… Miss Claire," William Xiao said, his tone coming out as light and pleasant. "So good to see you. And here I thought you said you had absolutely no interest in the superhero business."

His laugh was charming, almost disarming, but the atmosphere in the room remained tense. Everyone had fallen into a strange silence, their nervous glances cast in his direction as if afraid to draw too much attention to themselves.

Miss Claire remained calm, her demeanor for most part unshaken by the chairman's presence. She took another sip from her glass of sparkling water before replying, "I made an exception."

William Xiao nodded approvingly, his smile widening. "Ah yes, Don Bright. What an interesting… child, he is."

Mrs. Dugarte scoffed at the mention of Don's name, her irritation flaring up once more. "The only thing interesting about him is how he has the gall to try and outweigh Starboy at this ceremony," she said, her voice one of annoyance. "All because he thinks he won in a scuffle where Timothy wasn't even serious."

She crossed her arms, her expression smug as she continued. "It doesn't matter either way. According to Timothy's contract with the school, he will be the main event."

Mr. Xiao smiled at her comment, his tone still warm and unaffected. "Of course," he agreed. "Starboy will remain the main event. But before that, I believe I should have Dr. Gadget provide all the candidates with a special opportunity."

Miss Claire's calm façade faltered for a fraction of a second. She frowned slightly, though she kept her head down so it wouldn't be immediately noticeable. "What do you mean by that?"