Natalie’s expression was unyielding. A collective gasp went through the crowd. No one had realized her injury was so severe that she couldn't even compete.
Just then, Marie shot Ken a look.
Her gaze was venomous, a clear command: Don't let her off the hook.
Ken suddenly stood up and laughed boisterously before saying with contempt, “Are all you people from Aurelis such drama queens? What’s with this act? Trying to make it seem like you have no choice but to withdraw? Let me tell you, you can drop the performance, housewife.”
Lucas stormed forward, sneering, “Listen here, you little Ravencian punk! Natalie wouldn’t need to hurt herself to deal with someone of your caliber!”
Ken retorted angrily, “What do you know, kid? I graduated from the top university in Ravencia. I won the Westbridge University Mathematics Championship two years ago. I won the Averland Math Competition last year.
“If she hadn’t cheated in the preliminaries of this year’s International Math Competition, first place would have been mine.
“Now she injures herself to avoid being exposed. You Aurelis people are such actors, so two-faced. No wonder the world says people from Aurelis are the most scheming. It’s true!”
His words ignited the crowd’s anger.
“What is this Ken saying? How dare he insult our people on our own soil?”
“This guy is unbelievably arrogant.”
Marie said disdainfully, “You can’t blame him for thinking that. Of all the times to get hurt, why now? It’s no wonder people are suspicious.
“If Natalie cheated, she should just be honest and apologize. That would at least preserve some of our national dignity. Instead, she’s dragging all our names through the mud.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Caught Him Cheating My Life Restarted (Natalie)