Chapter 867 Not Afraid of Any Challenge
Nathaniel stepped out of the shower, a towel slung low around his waist, and glanced around for Saskia. After a quick look, he figured she was in the study. Sure enough, a warm light glowed from under the door.
He pushed the door open, strutting like a peacock, water still dripping down his chiseled chest. Saskia, buried in her work, didn't even glance up. "You go ahead and sleep. I'm still reviewing cases."
"Haven't you gone over these a million times?" Nathaniel asked, standing in front of her.
"It's never enough!" Saskia sighed. "What I lack compared to others is experience, and that's hard to make up for."
"The next competition is still a few days away. No rush," Nathaniel said, taking her hand gently.
He was just shy of placing her hand on his chest.
But Saskia, oblivious to his charm, kept her eyes on the legal documents. "A few days? There's a mountain of cases to get through!"
Nathaniel felt a pang of frustration. Legal texts and real-life cases—could they be more captivating than him?
He hated that Saskia was so unromantic.
After trying and failing to get her attention, Nathaniel gave up. Seeing her hair still damp from her shower, he fetched a hairdryer and started drying her hair. "Long-term wet hair can give you a headache," he said softly.
Nathaniel tenderly dried her hair and then combed it. After a while, Saskia finally looked up, her eyes softening. "Thank you, Nathaniel."
Noticing his bare shoulders, her gaze drifted down to the towel around his narrow waist. Despite being an old married couple, she blushed.
"Aren't you cold?"
"Yeah," Nathaniel said, wrapping his arms around her waist. "How about you warm me up?"
"If you're cold, put on some clothes," Saskia said, turning her face away.
"It's late. We should go to bed," Nathaniel said, holding her close, his voice filled with playful intimacy. "It's been so long since we've been together."
"I've been busy," Saskia said, awkwardly pushing him away.
Nathaniel held her tighter. "It's late. Time to rest."
He clung to her like a koala, refusing to let go.
Saskia sighed. "This opportunity is something you fought for me. I don't want to let you down."
Nathaniel gently held her hand. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's just a competition. You've been immersed in this for years. It's time to show what you've got."
Saskia nodded. "With you by my side, I feel much calmer."
"So, should we go to bed now?"
"You're impossible."
"I'll carry you," Nathaniel said, lifting her up.
Saskia let out a surprised yelp. "What are you doing?"
Nathaniel gave a mischievous smile. "Time for bed."
The two of them cuddled together.
As the preparations for the second round of the competition were in full swing, unexpected rumors started circulating online. Because Saskia was relatively unknown, the internet was rife with malicious comments, accusing her of getting in through connections and claiming the competition was rigged in her favor.
The word "insider" can really set people off.
A flood of criticism hit Saskia, with folks saying she got special treatment to enter the competition and was a shoo-in for the gold, undermining everyone else's hard work. The online chatter was relentless.
It was obvious someone was stirring the pot, with media outlets and influencers amplifying the noise.
Saskia's mood darkened as she read the negative comments. She knew the best response was to ignore the baseless accusations and rumors.
Especially since she had a competition to focus on the next day.
Saskia didn't let the rumors get to her. The next day, she arrived at the venue, brimming with confidence. The preliminary rounds were grueling, one after another.
Just as she arrived, Jagger approached her. "If people can get in through connections, what's the point of everyone else's hard work?"
All eyes turned to them.
Saskia looked at him coldly. "It doesn't matter what others say. As a lawyer, Jagger, you should know better than to spread baseless rumors."
Her firm words quieted the murmurs around them.
Jagger sneered. "Who knows how you got your spot? It's all shady."
"Why target a newcomer, Jagger? Are you afraid of losing to me? Even with the rumors, I believe the public can see the truth."
Saskia's retort was sharp.
"Clean up your own mess before you talk," Jagger scoffed.
Before Saskia could respond, Nathaniel appeared behind her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Yes, I got her the spot. But every year, the host who sponsors the competition gets an extra spot. It's in the rules. Don't you know that, Jagger?"
Nathaniel's presence silenced the room.
He smiled calmly, but his authority was unmistakable.
People around them exchanged curious and surprised glances.
Jagger, intimidated by Nathaniel's demeanor, looked uncomfortable but persisted. "Even so, that doesn't guarantee she has the skill to win. No shady dealings?"
"If you doubt it, have the committee investigate. Arguing here is the least efficient way to resolve this," Nathaniel said coolly.
Saskia gently freed herself from Nathaniel's embrace and faced Jagger directly.
"Jagger, the competition is fair. Whether I have the skill will be judged by the rules and the judges. If I win, it's because of my ability. If I lose, I'll accept it. I won't let baseless accusations affect me."
Nathaniel smiled slightly, adding, "Saskia's talent is evident to everyone here. As for the rumors, they're just noise. True skill fears no challenge."
"You!" Jagger gritted his teeth.
"And Jagger," Nathaniel cleared his throat, "as a lawyer, you should know that when you can't protect yourself with the law, hiding behind public opinion is laughable."
The crowd began to whisper, some curious about Saskia's background, others showing respect for Nathaniel.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
