RedNovelChapter 103
Chapter 103
Daxton had already made discreet arrangements. “Just paint as you normally would, Carmen,” he said gently, “I
will make sure you get whatever you want.”
“If Aubree were still here, with her skills she’d surely have made it to the finals,” Carmen remarked, her tone
deceptively
wistful.
Carmen’s words instantly froze the air.
Daxton gritted his teeth. He thought, ‘I almost forgot about her! I still haven't settled the score for her online
attacks against Carmen.’
Daxton snapped, “Why bring her up? If it weren't for Aubree, you'd still be at Rithol Art School without a care,
getting ready for your SAT and heading to your dream university!”
The mere thought of it infuriated him. ‘If it weren't for that petty, backstabbing brat Aubree, who couldn't stand
to see Carmen succeed and deliberately smeared her, ruining her reputation at Rithol Art School and making her
worry about being rejected from college, would she really need to win an award just to boost her credentials?’
Alice's face darkened with displeasure. “Does she really think she’s hot stuff now? Just started sclub and
suddenly thinks she’s grown wings!”
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She thought, ‘If | hadn't been so busy preparing for Carmen's birthday party, | would've taught that girl a lesson
already! So what if she has the Turner Group backing her? The Wilson family isn’t spushover either!
‘Does she really think Bowen would take on the Wilson family for a nobody like her?’
After subtly reminding the Wilson family not to let Aubree off the hook, a glint of triumph flashed in Carmen’s
eyes. With feigned innocence, she asked, “Did | say something wrong?”
“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart,” Daxton said with an adoring smile, “The competition's about to start, go on
in now.”
After Carmen entered the competition, neither Daxton nor Alice left. Instead, they got back in the car and waited
for her there.
Tticked by slowly. Daxton reviewed the medical records again, his eyes growing weary. Finally, he looked up
and gazed out the window.
Today, both the International Mathematics Competition and the Painting Competition were taking place here
simultaneously. The math competition ended a bit earlier, so now test-takers were streaming out of the venue,
gathering in the square, and waiting for the results.
To prevent any cheating attempts, all the finals were graded and the results announced right there on the spot.
Daxton’s gaze swept across the crowd. Suddenly, his eyes froze as he thought, ‘Aubree again?
‘If last twas just a coincidence, then how do | explain away this?
Daxton nudged his mother and asked, “Mom, is that Aubree? She's actually here for the math competition?”
Alice followed his gaze, her eyes widening in disbelief. “That really is her? Since when was she capable of
something like this?”
Daxton knew Aubree used to have good grades, but after missing two years of school, he doubted she still had it
in her. He sneered, “She probably just got a lucky break to make it to the finals. Speople really lack self-
awareness, signing up for a
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Chapter 103
28)
competition like this. When the results cout and she ends up at the bottom, she won't just embarrass
herself, she'll drag the family’s reputation through the mud.”
Alice nodded in agreement, her voice dripping with disdain. “Thank goodness we adopted Carmen as my
daughter. Having that disgrace around every day would probably shave years off my life.”
The two exchanged sneering remarks about Aubree, every word laced with contempt.
While the math competition results were being reviewed, the painting competition was also drawing to a close,
with participants starting to file out one after another.
Alice said, “Daxton, hurry! Carmen’s coming out!”
She quickly opened the car door, and the two of them hurried toward Carmen. “Mommy’s precious, you must be
exhausted after all that painting. Are you tired? There are drinks and fruit in the car, would you like to have some
together?”
“Don’t worry, Carmen. You'll definitely win, you're the best,” Daxton said, ruffling her hair affectionately. In stark
contrast to the biting sarcasm he’d shown Aubree just moments before, he now showered Carmen with praise
without reservation.
He aded, “Dad heard you were competing and went out of his way to invite sfriends over and book a party
hall. We're all just waiting for you to win so we can celebrate together!”
Alice was beaming with excitement, but neither she nor Daxton noticed that Carmen's face had gone ghostly
pale, her lips drained of color, and she looked utterly absent-minded.
“Mom, Daxton... | can’t win the award,” Carmen choked out, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. Her face
was a picture of utter devastation as the memory of what had just happened overwhelmed her. Suddenly, she
turned to Daxton, her eyes boring into him with desperate intensity.
Daxton’s heart skipped a beat. “Carmen, what's wrong? What happened?”
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