NOVPUBChapter 1147: 522 Secret_1 Chapter 1147: 522 Secret_1 Kelly Martinez glanced at her watch, proclaiming in a loud voice, “Two minutes and twenty-eight seconds.”
A gasp of astonishment echoed around them. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
This was the best result in history, she was a sure winner even without competing against anyone.
The shopkeeper handed a lantern to Charlotte Aria.
The answer to the riddle was written on the backside of the lantern.
Disregarding Charlotte, the Keeper turned and warmly presented Aubree Groove with the Phoenix Flower Lantern.
“A hundred percent accuracy, Miss, you have broken the record.”
Dressed ethereally, the young lady stood amidst the worldly chaos, untouched by the griminess of the hustle and bustle, with thousands of dim lights flickering behind her.
She remained silent, quietly accepting the exquisitely gorgeous Phoenix Flower Lantern from the hands of the shopkeeper.
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She looked beautiful in the lantern light, matching the astonishing brilliance of a magnificent dream, the colorful light reflecting off her dress, creating an extremely captivating scene.
For a moment, everyone was spellbound.
The hand that Charlotte was holding the lantern drew tighter, her gaze cutting through the hazy lantern light to focus on the young lady in white.
She had been defeated once again, utterly and completely.
Her pride, her dignity, they were all trampled beneath her opponent.
“Charlotte, how could this be?
Is the shopkeeper giving her preferential treatment?” Stella White said indignantly.
Her harsh words were caught precisely by the shopkeeper who turned around to look at a silent Charlotte and Stella.
“Please explain to me, Miss, what are preferential treatment implications?
Everyone here is a witness.
My lantern shop has been open for more than a decade and it has a stellar reputation.
By your logic, didn’t I also favor you when you won last year?”
Stella was left speechless by his retort.
Charlotte muttered under her breath, “Shut up.”
Unwilling to accept her defeat, Stella sharply turned her head and glared at Aubree.
Kelly stepped forward with a smug smile, “It appears that someone can’t face her defeat.
Who was it that said we would humiliate ourselves?
Oh, right, we did indeed humiliate ourselves.”
“Kelly, let’s go.” Aubree was uninterested in engaging in conflict.
Having won the lantern, there was no point in staying.
What would be the point in winning a verbal spat?
Just as Aubree was about to leave, someone in the crowd yelled out, “She is Aubree Groove.”
That single sentence stirred the crowd into a frenzy.
The onlookers, like crazed fanatics, surged towards her.
Kelly’s face changed instantly, her instincts compelling her to step in front of Aubree, “Damn, Aubree, run.”
Just as Aubree was about to be swallowed by the crowd, someone grabbed her hand, “Follow me.”
Aubree was stunned for a moment before she was forcibly led out of the crowd and into the distance.
Followed by a crowd of crazed fans, Aubree was led by the hand under the dim streetlights, running without stopping.
The night wind rushed past her ears, causing her hair to flutter, the intermittent street lights casting a scattered shadow of the chase on the ground.
The world was alive with sound and light.
She could hear the “thump-thump” of her heartbeat.
The figure leading her was as dependable as a mountain and as embracing as the sea.
They kept running until they finally lost the crowd, at which the stranger finally stopped and turned around.
Even the strong young man’s chest heaved slightly from the intense sprint, his heartbeat becoming all the more noticeable.
Aubree was also slightly out of breath.
“Anton Cook?”
The man in front of her removed his mask, revealing a handsome face with eyes shining brightly like stars.
“That was really dangerous just then, I am so glad you’re okay.”
Aubree replied, “Thank you.”
“Do you really have to thank me?
That’s being very formal between us,” Anton Cook said, playing with his mask.
Someone was approaching from behind, Aubree’s ears perked up at the sound, and she pulled Anton behind a fake mountain to hide.
A few youngsters came into sight, “Someone saw Aubree Groove, she’s in Cornellia Park tonight.
I am so excited to be able to see her up close.”
“I wonder where she disappeared to, apparently she broke the guessing record at the Lantern Festival.
She is so smart, no surprise she’s my favorite idol.”
“She must still be in Cornellia Park, let’s split up and look for her.”
The voices of the people gradually faded away.
The two were so close to each other that they could feel each other’s breath and temperature.
Anton’s adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he crouched down a bit, daring not to move.
Aubree took a step back, “Sorry.”
Anton stood up, his heart tumbling with a sense of disappointment, and glanced at the lantern in her hand.
“The lantern is very beautiful and suits you very well.”
Aubree handed him the lantern, “Give it to your little sister.”
“Are you talking about Yoyo?
She is not my sister, she is my niece.
She likes you a lot, if you give it to her personally, she’ll be even more delighted.”
