Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 335

The World Combat Championship officially concluded.

The blatant referee rigging made international headlines, causing an absolute uproar.

The Mistralian organizers released a statement claiming the referee had concealed an underlying health issue, which led to "lapses in judgment" during the match.

It was a painfully obvious PR spin meant to sweep the scandal under the rug.

Stella scrolled through the news on her phone, practically vibrating with rage.

"Julius, they're really just leaving it at that? Isn't that an insult to everyone's intelligence?" Stella said, her tone sharp with frustration.

"It's the most face-saving excuse they could manage. Did you honestly expect them to admit a referee was bribed? As the host nation, they can't afford that kind of humiliation."

"It still pisses me off. No, I definitely need to teach that Steve a lesson, and that referee too. They better hope they don't run into me, or they'll be sorry."

Stella's cheeks were puffed out in anger; she was genuinely furious.

Julius could see how upset she was. She rarely wore her emotions on her sleeve like this. Over the past two days, she had swung between extreme excitement and intense anger.

Perhaps he just hadn't known her well enough before, or maybe nothing had ever triggered her emotions this deeply.

Even when she had been held hostage by Wade, she hadn't looked this mad.

But he found it endearing. This was exactly how someone her age should express herself.

The fact that she was willing to show her raw, unfiltered emotions to him meant she trusted him more, and perhaps even relied on him a little.

That thought made him very happy.

"Alright, don't be mad. Isn't there that exclusive master-level tournament tomorrow? Maybe you'll run into Steve there. Given his performance in the ring, there's a high chance Mistralia will send him to compete."

"You're right. I'm definitely going to make Steve pay tomorrow." Stella was instantly comforted, her mood bouncing right back.

Julius added, "You made international news too, you know. Someone filmed your naturally amplified shout. Want me to take the video down?"

She gave his waist a light pinch and scoffed playfully, "Stop talking nonsense."

He caught her hand. "Alright, alright, I won't say it. But don't touch me there, it tickles."

Stella let him off the hook for the moment, then thought of something else. "Actually, since you're so good with computers, track down where that corrupt referee is right now.

I want to see exactly who bought him off, and who's pulling Steve's strings. You don't know this, but that Steve guy isn't as simple as he looks."

Julius raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Do you remember that time we went to the Astoria Grand Hotel for Bluefin tuna?"

"Of course I do. Some foreigner even had the nerve to give you flowers right in front of me."

He had been quite annoyed that the guy tried to hit on her right to his face.

"It was that same day. When we were leaving and you went to get the car, I was waiting for you by the restaurant entrance. Steve tried to pull something shady on me, but I saw right through it. He just didn't succeed."