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Despite the addition of many 'big stars' like Emilia and Amos, none of the students expected the annual events week to be too different from the usual.
After all, even if the 'Royal Knights' club and Emilia decided to do something outrageous, it wasn't like the rest of them would be affected in any way. At most, they would be able to enjoy a good show.
As for Amos… given that he had already been absent for a long time, no one expected him to even show up for the events.
Of course, everyone was still preparing for their own events diligently.
Since they were all free to pick what they wanted to do as long as they could get it done right, this was an excellent opportunity for both sporty and studious students alike to show off their talents in front of potential sponsors and employers.
Even for the usually indifferent class S students, this was their once-a-year chance to differentiate themselves from their peers.
And since most of their elders would be watching, even those who had been sidelined in their own families for their more talented relatives could use this chance to make them see the error of their ways.
But no one expected that a huge announcement would be dropped on their heads just a few weeks before the event schedule was to be finalized.
"This year's annual events will be broadcast live?!"
"Shit! Which channel is it gonna be on? I hope it's not included in my cable plan!"
"Ugh, it doesn't say. I hope the same, though."
Of course, at that point, many still believed it would be telecast on some local channel. It made some nervous, but it wasn't really a big deal.
After all, while their Imperial Academy could be considered quite prestigious in their country, it was still just a school. Compared to prominent colleges with international students from all over the world, the interest it could generate in people was limited.
But just a few days later, the White Deer Corporation made an announcement that left the students completely stunned.
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To say that Amos was in a bad mood when he was called to his father's office would be an understatement.
His physical injuries may have recovered, but the wounds in his mind remained fresh, throbbing with pain and filling him with rage every time he recalled how he was treated.
Humiliation, mockery, betrayal…
Every waking moment, he would imagine how he would make both that bitch of an ex-fiancée and his father pay for all they had done, but Amos knew that he still had to bide his time.
His chance would come.
As the secretary knocked on the door of his father's office, Amos ducked his head to conceal a chilling smile. 'The next time you try to use me to consolidate your position… I'll make you truly regret it. And if you try to bring in any 'replacements'… well, I'll let that bitch know how it feels to be a scapegoat, ahahaha!'
His thoughts were interrupted by an awkward cough from the secretary, and Amos schooled his expression before walking in behind the man.
"Good, you can leave."
The man fled like he had been released from the gates of hell, but neither Amos nor his father were in the mood to notice.
After a few minutes of tense silence, Mr. Black sighed. "What have you prepared for the annual events?"
Amos sneered. Is this man pretending to care about him now? Too late. "I don't care about that pathetic place and their little games. I'll go for the exams at the end of the year, that's it."
Mr. Black frowned. "How can you be so irresponsible? Even if you don't care about their opinions now, those children will later become your business partners!"
Of course, he wouldn't really care about it too much before. Anyway, with his previous experience, his son could be excused from skipping this year's events, but unfortunately…
The buff man sighed. "Listen... The White Deer has announced that they intend to use their new channel to broadcast the Imperial Academy's annual events live, worldwide. Do you still want to skip them?"
Amos couldn't help but be stunned. The White Deer?
What kind of move was that bitch making now?
With her disgusting obsession with him, all of this was without a doubt another scheme to either get his attention... or ruin his reputation.
Of course, no matter how bad his situation got, Amos would never lower himself to thinking of her as a romantic partner, but that bitch probably knew that as well.
Maybe that was why she had been trying so hard to lower his position so she could one day control him, but unfortunately for her… she vastly underestimated his abilities.
If she wanted to use this chance to make herself shine in front of the world while throwing more mud at him, she was in for a very, very rude awakening.
Even if he had to lower his head temporarily, he would show her what he was made of.
"This matter… I've changed my mind. Father, can you help me arrange a few things?"
Mr. Black's expression eased once he saw that his son was no longer so stubborn.
While the White Deer had invested in this heavily, a live broadcast could go either way.
Although he couldn't be sure of the specifics, there was no doubt that they intended to use this opportunity to 'market' their little princess to the world. Perhaps their wings grew larger after their rapid growth these past few months, and they intended to expand using this 'disposable' branch.
Of course, his son's absence would show him in a bad light, but that was unlikely to be their goal. It couldn't make his image much worse than it already was.
However, as long as the boy was able to overshadow that little girl and show his own abilities, not only would their plan be ruined, but he could also use this as a free springboard to completely transform himself in the future!
Naturally, such a thing… couldn't be left to chance.
Mr. Black nodded. "What do you need?"
Amos smiled. 'I'll take your hand for now, but one day… I'll cut it off for good.'
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