Early the next morning, Anna was still deeply asleep, but she was rudely awakened by the ring of her phone, she fumbled around and grabbed her phone.
"...who is it?”
Nina's agitated voice drifted from across the phone," Anna, come to SN quick, I have good news for you!"
"What good news?" Anna rubbed her eyes sleepily.
"Our proposal has been approved!" Nina shouted happily.
"What? Approved?” Anna sat up in surprise, all traces o f sleep gone.
"This morning, Mr. Ackman sent an email to the company, personally approving the proposal! He even gave us a special reward, come quick!”
Anna was so happy she could dance on the spot! She jumped off the bed, she thought Liam was home but the huge house was empty, his form was nowhere to b e seen.
"It's still so early, and he already left!"
Anna was slightly disappointed, but in the blink of an eye, she rushed into the bathroom to prepare for the day and rushed to SN as fast as possible.
Nina was waiting for her at the entrance. At the sight o f her, she rushed forward and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Anna, this is great! We did it! Finally!" Nina jumped u p and down happily.
Then, she pulled Anna into a corner and smiled at her mischievously. Anna was confused.
"Nina, why are you looking at me?"
"Anna, tell me the truth, how did you convince Mr. Ackman to approve our proposal? Did the two of you... hmm?"
"What are you thinking!" Anna rapped her knuckles o n Nina's head. "We didn't do anything!"
Even though she was blushing at her question, this time it was true that nothing happened between them. As to why he approved their proposal so easily, she didn’t know.
"Maybe he finally realized his mistakes and decided t o turn over a new leaf."
Nina rapped her knuckles against Anna’s forehead, "If you didn't, why are you blushing? You betrayed yourself! I knew it, something is going on between the two of you, but I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Anna bit her lip awkwardly, covering her reddening face with her hands, "It's true! Nothing happened!"
"Come on."
Anna bowed her head, wringing her fingers together,"
Nothing much really, there's nothing to tell."
Nina looked at the shy Anna, "Wait. This is big news. You have to give me some time to process all of it."
Anna hurriedly covered Nina’s mouth with her hand," I didn’t say anything, why are you overreacting?"
"Nothing? Oh my gosh! You are usually so quiet, but when you do say something, it's shocking enough to last me three days!"
"Nina! You can't tell anyone!"
Nina turned serious, she patted her shoulder, "Anna, I promise. I will support you no matter what decision you make! I hope you can find true happiness.”
Anna was dazed.
Happiness?
Could it be Liam?
"Anna! So, are you... dating? Did he promise you anything?"
"I don't know either." Anna started wringing her hands again, "He's so uncertain, like the raging wind, I want to hold on to him but I can't."
Nina stared at Anna and knew her love life wasn't going well, her heart ached and she enveloped her friend in a hug.
"Anna, if he belongs to you, he can't escape even if he wants to, if he's not, there's no point holding on. Don’t think too much, it will all fall into place with time.
Worrying your head over it is pointless.
Anna stood in the crowd silently, face expressionless. Everyone felt like knives had been plunged into their chests.
"It's over, it's over, Anna must have lost for sure!"
"Jennifer got lucky this time! How could she beat
Anna?”
Olivia coughed, "Quiet down!"
Silence fell across the lobby once again.
Olivia glanced at the report in her hands, then raised her head to look at Anna and Nina, "Anna Hamilton 150,000, Nina Scott 150,000. Also, for their outstanding performance, an additional 50 points!"
The crowd was enveloped in a frenzy.
"She's Anna Hamilton all right!"
"Once she makes a move, no one can rival her."
"What a tight race! She's overtaken Jennifer completely!"
Jennifer listened to the whispers of the crowd, anger turning her face red, her eyes woefully trained on Anna as if she wanted to tear her into pieces.
"Anna, this is wonderful! And your points surpassed hers too! Mr. Ackman is a nice man indeed." Nina said happily, tugging on Anna's sleeve.
Anna was overwhelmed with joyous surprise too; she never knew Liam would give her so many extra points.
And the 150,000 dollars. Even though it wasn’t a large sum, it was a substantial paycheck. A happiness she had never experienced before burst in her chest.
Right at this moment, Jennifer stood up.
"I heard Anna sold the sample she designed in school! If I remember correctly, the rules of this assessment are that we cannot ask for help, we can only use the 100 dollars as principal, whoever earns the most, wins!"
The news caused an uproar in the crowd. "What? Anna Hamilton sold the sample? That’s considered cheating!”
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