Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 696

Chapter 696

Her mother got transferred to work at the hospital in this district, so Catherine smoothly transferred to the local high school.

Rebecca didn’t know if it had anything to do with her younger self ignoring Vance for a whole year. If that was the case, she understood it completely.

She had walked the same painful path before, and after one too many disappointments, walking away had been the only right call.

On the day of the speech contest, Rebecca and Darren represented their class in the competitor drawing area.

Rebecca drew the last slot, while Catherine drew the third.

“You ready?” Darren sat down next to her. He’d drawn the seventh.

Rebecca nodded with a smile.

At that moment, Vance, who had drawn the second slot, was on stage giving his speech. His French was fluent and pleasant, carrying the natural cadence of a gifted student.

Though he was usually aloof, his delivery was passionate and inspiring. He had a way of getting the crowd fired up. That was why he could build such a successful career so young.

He had a knack for talking investors into backing his ventures just by spinning a compelling, persuasive vision.

His speech ended with enthusiastic applause.

Then it was Catherine’s turn to go on stage. She had great grades, or she wouldn’t have ended up as Vance’s college classmate. Her spoken French was her strong suit, and her speech was titled “Us in 20 Years.”

Rebecca’s head started ringing. She was sure Catherine had seen her speech draft and stolen her idea.

Her own speech was titled “Us in Ten Years.”

“I’m up next,” Darren said. “I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

Rebecca nodded and quietly ran through her speech in her head one more time. The speeches were scored on the spot, with each contestant’s score announced right after the next person finished speaking.

By the time the sixth presenter finished, Vance and Catherine were still in first and second place, respectively.

The moment Darren opened his mouth, the entire auditorium was stunned.

Vance and Catherine were already top–tier among the school’s best students. Their pronunciation was perfect, their delivery flawlessly fluent.

But Darren’s voice was as smooth and clear as that of a professional broadcast anchor. It was flawless with a subtle Paris lilt, winning everyone over in an instant.

Even Rebecca, who’d lived in Paris for years and was sensitive to accents, was impressed. It was the kind of fluency that only came from years spent abroad.