Four works that won national-level awards.

Three works that won international gold medals.

The audience below began to murmur.

The online comment feed also started to express indignation on Sienna’s behalf.

【Someone this outstanding can be rejected? That is simply too outrageous!】

【If that Celine isn't properly punished, it will chill the heart of every student who studies hard!】

【Exactly! Justice must be served!】

"Now, let us welcome the victim to the stage!"

Sienna looked at the comments, glanced sideways at Celine, her eyes full of triumph, before adopting the pitiful appearance of a victim.

Her eyes turned slightly red as she took the microphone:

"Hello everyone, I am one of the victims of this incident, Sienna."

Her shoulders trembled, an appearance of being deeply wronged yet bravely maintaining composure, instantly swaying the emotions of everyone present.

"I have studied hard for over a decade and have always been diligent in refining my expertise. I was so happy to have passed through layers of screening to reach the final round, thinking I could get a fair judgment based on my own abilities. I never expected to be maliciously interfered with by Ms. Celine, resulting in the cancellation of my interview qualifications."

She looked up at the camera, her tone becoming increasingly bitter: "I have never had any grievances with Ms. Celine, nor have I ever offended her. I don't know why she wanted to target me."

"Standing here today, I’m not looking to pursue anything; I just hope to obtain basic justice. I also hope that fairness and justice in this industry will not be wantonly destroyed by personal desire."

Her tearful speech completely ignited the anger of the entire room.

The reporters below erupted in an uproar, the sound of camera shutters falling one after another like rain upon Celine.

The live stream comments were completely swiped by angry curses.

【I feel so sorry for Sienna! To have one's efforts trampled upon at will by others—who wouldn't break down?】

【This Celine is truly used to using dirty tactics; cheating on the college entrance exam, and now impersonating an interviewer—she’s too arrogant!】

【This kind of scum must be severely punished!】

The accusations and criticisms from the entire room flooded toward Celine like a tidal wave.

In the VIP section, Julian looked at the slender figure of Celine standing below the stage, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.

He quietly signaled to Chen Zheng on stage.

Chen Zheng understood immediately and spoke into the microphone: "Celine, things have reached this point, and the evidence is conclusive. Please come up on stage immediately and publicly apologize to Ms. Sienna, the company, and the general public!"

The bodyguards released their hold, and Celine stood up slowly. Amidst countless scrutinizing, mocking, and angry gazes, she walked onto the stage step by step.

The spotlight fell on her cold profile. She took the microphone, her voice calm yet clear:

"I am the one who canceled Sienna’s final interview qualification. I admit it."

Everyone thought she had finally bowed her head to plead guilty. The angry comments on the feed paused, waiting to see her kneel and apologize.

Only Sienna’s lips curved upward, a flash of triumphant satisfaction crossing her eyes.

But the next second, Celine’s tone took a sharp turn, carrying endless chill, each word ringing with a clang:

"But I do not believe that, from ancient times to the present, any perpetrator is worthy of an apology from the victim!"

Once these words were out, everyone was stunned.

"What does she mean? Is she saying she’s the victim?"

"How is that possible! The evidence is clearly conclusive!..."

But in the next second, Celine raised her hand and pressed a playback device she had prepared in advance.

A low male voice rang throughout the entire conference venue—

"Celine, don't forget, if I could pin the blame for cheating on the college entrance exam on you five years ago, destroy your evidence, and throw you into a detention center, I can still make sure that you and everyone related to you pay the price now."

In an instant, the entire room fell into deathly silence.

Julian’s face changed instantly: "Someone! Go up immediately, bring her down! Turn off the equipment!"

But just as the Julian family bodyguards moved, a group of tall, dark shadows suddenly poured into the entrance of the venue.

Dozens of well-trained bodyguards marched in, moving swiftly and orderly, surrounding and securing the entire stage. They bowed their heads toward Celine, their voices loud and synchronized:

"CEO Celine!"

Chapter 8

"CEO Celine?"

Julian froze, staring fixedly at Celine on the stage.

He didn't know why, but even though she was dressed in the same outfit and stood in the same spot, at this moment, her entire aura had completely changed.

A hint of doubt flashed in Chen Zheng’s eyes, but he reacted quickly, pointing at Celine and warning:

"Celine, even if you have strength in numbers, this is our company’s press conference. You have no right to have people surrounding this place!"

Once he said this, the students below the stage whose interviews had been canceled also echoed him:

"Exactly! Don't think that just by hiring a few extras to put on a show, you can pretend to be a leader!"

"You impersonated an interviewer, interfered with the process, and caused us to lose our qualifications. You should apologize to us in front of everyone!"

"Right! Apologize!"

Seeing this, Chen Zheng also immediately raised his voice and shouted: "Celine, if you don't disperse these people, don't blame me for reporting this to our headquarters and making sure you suffer the consequences!..."

Before he could finish, Sun Shiya stepped forward and interrupted: "Have you had enough of your hysterics?! Reporting to headquarters? Do you know that CEO Celine is the Chief Executive Officer of the headquarters!"

Sun Shiya’s voice was clear and crisp. It wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderbolt that exploded across the entire venue!

The noisy, roaring crowd instantly fell silent.

The clamor of demands for apologies and accusations stopped abruptly, and even the air seemed to congeal.

All the candidates, media reporters, and bystanders standing below the stage were frozen in place, filled with shock.

Especially Chen Zheng.

Just a moment ago he was aggressive, but now, he was stiffened in place, his legs feeling as if they were cast in concrete, and his eyes were left with only an incredulous, blank stare.

Chief Executive Officer?!

Celine is the new Chief Executive Officer of the headquarters?!

"Ho, how is it possible..."

He whispered to himself.

But Sun Shiya had already taken out her phone and shoved the latest appointment notice released by the overseas headquarters right in front of his face: "Take a good look!"

Seeing Celine’s name and photo on it clearly, Chen Zheng felt his vision go black.

"Ce, CEO Celine..."

He looked at Celine, struggling to open his mouth, his voice trembling like a sieve.

Celine met his gaze and asked calmly:

"Now, do you still want to report me to the headquarters and make me suffer the consequences?"

At these words, Chen Zheng’s legs suddenly went weak. He staggered back two steps, nearly collapsing onto the floor, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

"No, I dare not, CEO Celine..."

Cold sweat poured from his temples, instantly soaking his bangs. He looked up at her and hurriedly explained:

"CEO Celine, it was my ignorance that I didn't recognize you. I, I didn't intend to offend you. Please, CEO, be magnanimous and don't hold this against me..."

Celine couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense anymore and waved her hand: "Get off."

"Ye, yes."

Chen Zheng nodded and bowed repeatedly; his legs were shaking as he walked off the stage.

Sienna watched this scene, her fingers already squeezed white.

How is it possible?

Wasn't Celine’s score canceled, wasn't she rejected by every school, and even unable to find a job?

Shouldn't she be destitute and gasping for air?

How could she be the Chief Executive Officer of the headquarters?!

She stared fixedly at Celine, the jealousy in her eyes so thick it was almost overflowing.

But catching sight of the cameras still filming in her peripheral vision, she tightened her fingers. After a mere two seconds of bewilderment, she immediately reddened her eyes:

"Ms. Celine, even if you are the CEO of the headquarters, you should follow the normal interview process. Can you just ignore the rules because you are a leader? This inevitably makes people doubt the fairness of your company’s leadership!"

"I just wanted a fair explanation. Even if you target me or use your privilege to cancel my interview qualifications, I have no complaints. But don't you think it’s going too far to publicly smear Mr. Julian?"

Celine looked at her "righteous and indignant" appearance, her voice calm:

"Going too far? Compared to Ms. Sienna’s evil deeds back then, this is truly a small witch in the presence of a great one."

As the words fell, she pressed the player again.