Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Underhanded Tactics Fanny sighed in disappointment and pulled out her speech from her bag. “The competition starts in half an hour. I need to review it a bit more.” As she retrieved her speech, her hand trembled, and a small bag of medicine fell out of her bag Upon hearing the sound, Stella looked down and noticed the word laxative‘ on the bag of medicine. She took the medicine from Fanny and asked, “Fanny, what is this?”

Fanny responded casually while continuing to flip through her speech. I’ve been experiencing some stomach issues recently, so I’m taking laxatives. As she spoke, she reached out to take the medicine back.

However, Stella quickly pulled her hand away, avoiding Fanny’s hand, and said with a smile, “Fanny, let me have this pack. I’ve been feeling a bit unwell recently too. Maybe a laxative will help.

“Sure, but you should wait until you get home to take it because this laxative is quite strong. If you take it now, you may miss the speech competition. Remember to watch the dosage when you take it.” Fanny smiled, noticing that Stella’s mood had improved.

“Okay, Fanny, Go ahead with your review, I need to use the restroom. Without waiting for Fanny to respond, Stella hurried off.

Fanny watched her retreating figure, shook her head helplessly, and muttered to the people around her that Stella was always in such a hurry.

“I guess Stella couldn’t hold it in any longer. She must have been holding it in just to accompany you,” a classmate teased.

The crowd was bustling. As this Brundelian speech competition was a state competition, it attracted an exceptionally large number of people. In addition to teachers and students, there were some elderly people dressed in suits, some well–dressed professionals, and even some foreigners with different hair and eye colors.

Angela, afraid of getting separated from Jessica and causing unnecessary accidents before the competition, tightly held her hand and followed her to the contestants‘ seats.

Jessica’s turn to compete was around the middle, and the contestants‘ seats were at the very front, so their seats were relatively forward.

Just as they sat down, two elderly men in suits took their seats across the aisle in the guest seats. Then, two middle–aged men in suits sat down in the row in front of the two old men. They seemed to know each other and started to greet each other.

“Hello, Mr. Fuchs.”

“How are you, Mr. Maxwell?”

As the competition time approached, people started to take their seats, and many contestants sat next to Angela and Jessica.

Soon, the logistics volunteers began to distribute boxes of water. There were bottles of mineral water and also juices.

The contestants, who had been nervously reviewing and practicing in low voices, quickly opened the bottles and started drinking as their mouths were slightly dry.

1/3 Chapter 43 Underhanded Tactics #15 Free Coins Jessica’s lips were slightly chapped, and she was about to open a bottle of water when she exclaimed.

“What’s wrong. Jess? Angela asked.

Her voice was sweeter and crisper than most, and as soon as she spoke, it attracted the attention of a few people on the other side of the aisle. Seeing that the young girl was exceptionally beautiful and vibrant, they couldn’t help but take a few more glances, but they looked away after a couple of seconds.

Smiling. Jessica shook her head, “Nothing, this bottle is quite easy to open.”

As she was about to take a sip. something flashed in Angela’s mind, and she instinctively stopped Jessica. “Wait!” Her voice was so tense and excited that it attracted the attention of a few people nearby. The other students glanced over but quickly returned to their reviews.

“What’s wrong, Angela?” Jessica was confused, wondering why Angela looked so tense.

Angela frowned, thinking that perhaps she was overthinking, but just to be safe, she took the bottle from Jessica’s hand and held it up to the sunlight for a closer look.

The water was clear, but upon closer inspection, Angela noticed some white cloudy substances in the water. Her face fell, and she squeezed the bottle so hard that the water spilled out.

What a disgusting trick! she thought angrily.

Angela couldn’t help but reminisce about her past life when she had worked tirelessly for the Kins Family’s business, even developing a new product that was recognized by higher authorities. Just as she was about. to present her product to the visiting authorities, she was absent because she was unprepared and had consumed water that had been tampered with.

She fell ill for two days and had to take sick leave, allowing Fanny to attend the presentation in her place. Later, the authorities were impressed by Fanny, who was already well–liked, so it was not surprising.

However, the product was supposed to be developed by the Kins Family, but it ended up being attributed to Fanny’s research, Angela recalled with slightly teary eyes.

“Angela, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me.” Jessica noticed her unusual expression and thought she was unwell. so she quickly tried to get up. However, Angela held her down, shook her head, and lowered her voice to avoid being overheard. “Jess, I’m fine, but there’s something wrong with this drink.”

“The drink?” Jessica repeated, confused.

Angela forced a wry smile. “Someone has tampered with this drink. Saying this, she extended her index finger, dipped it into the water, tasted it, and became even more certain.

“It’s senna leaf powder, a strong laxative, and there’s quite a lot of it. If you drink this, you can forget about competing later.

Angela sneered, “Such a despicable act.

In her previous life, she never discovered who had tampered with her water, and even the surveillance footage was missing a segment. However, since that incident, she had started practicing the skill of identifying drugs by taste, and she had become very sensitive to the taste of various drugs.

“What?!” Jessica’s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to believe that such a thing would happen. “Angela, let’s inform a teacher!”

2/3 16:01 Wed, 28 Feb G G Chapter 43 Underhanded Tactics +15 Free Coins Angela couldn’t help but frown. “I’m afraid it’s not a good time to report this to a teacher now because the school will downplay it.

Don’t worry, Jess. Don’t think too much about it. I’m here, and I’ll protect you. After your competition, we’ll figure out what to do.

This way, it won’t affect your competition.”

Upon hearing this, Jessica felt relieved and found Angela’s suggestion reasonable. If she had approached at teacher herself, the school would surely try to suppress the news to ensure the smooth progress speech competition. In that case, her mood and performance would be affected.

of the She nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry, Angela. Right now, all I’m going to focus on is delivering my speech.”

Angela smiled, and her mood significantly improved. “Good,” she replied.

Seeing her smile, Jessica felt completely reassured. While she was reviewing her speech, Angela discreetly poured out half of the drink, leaving only half a bottle on Jessica’s desk. Then, she began to discreetly observe the seating arrangement of the students.

On the other side of the aisle, two elderly men in suits watched attentively from beginning to end. Their furrowed brows relaxed, and they exchanged glances before–looking at Angela, seemingly quite appreciative.

Almost everyone had arrived, and after the host delivered his inspiring opening remarks, the speech. competition officially began.

The contestants took turns walking onto the stage, passionately delivering the speeches they had rehearsed numerous times.

When it was Jessica’s turn, Angela clapped enthusiastically as she watched her confidently stride onto the stage. Suddenly, a voice came from the side, saying, “Excuse me, young lady.”