Chapter 405 The Other Prize
“Everyone’s waiting,” Drooby said, his voice carrying a hint of challenge.
Melody didn’t flinch. “Oh? Really?” she asked, her tone even..
69%
+5 Free Coins
She continued, “I’ll be the next owner of this. It only makes sense to check if the Veinspire Codex is truly Mr. Liam’s work.”
Her statement left no room for debate.
Melody’s fingers moved quickly, flipping through the pages with the ease of someone who had seen it all before. It didn’t seem like she was doing anything out of the ordinary.
After a cursory glance, she turned her attention to the second box. All eyes were on her as she lifted the lid, revealing an island map.
A heavy silence filled the room. The Cleussauan crowd watched intently as Melody unfolded the map and then retrieved a lease agreement tucked underneath it.
“It’s Moonflora Island,” someone muttered.
“It’s one of the southernmost islands in our territory. Although it’s only about 54 thousand square feet, the surrounding waters are vast. For centuries, Moonflora Island was part of Cleussau. But a hundred years ago, Gregoria took advantage of the chaos and leased it from us for three hundred years,” another voice explained.
“Is that the document Melody’s holding?”
“Gregoria really went all in for this. But doesn’t anyone else think their intentions are terrible? If it weren’t for Melody’s victory, they would have shown us that document and used it to humiliate Cleussau. They’d make us look weak, like we couldn’t reclaim what was rightfully ours.”
A few murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd.
“The Gregorian leaders deserve all the scorn they get,” someone said, voice filled with anger.
Drooby’s gaze remained fixed on Melody, his smile growing colder.
You wanted fairness, didn’t you?” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “Well, let me show you how it really works.
There’s no such thing as absolute fairness. It’s just a nice illusion the winners sell to the losers.
History shows us that fairness is only born in the heat of battle.
Drooby’s words hung in the air like a challenge, daring Melody to defy them.
No matter how badly you want to save your brother, Melody, if you pick the Veinspire Codex, you might look like a hero
now.
But once you betray Cleussau’s expectations, the very light you bask in will turn into daggers aimed right at you.
You have a lot to learn, girl.
People are selfish, Melody. That’s the truth.
O
1/2
O
<
13:07 Tue, 25 Mar
Chapter 405 The Other Prize
Melody stayed silent, unfazed.
Drooby chuckled softly, almost to himself.
“Ms. Tucker, it’s time to decide.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Which one will it be?”
Should Melody save her comatose brother, or should she reclaim the rights to Moonflora Island?
Drooby, with his calculating gaze, moved close
The crowd began to murmur with rising tension.
to her.
69%
+5 Free Coins
“This is impossible! Melody’s brother might only have a chance if she picks the Veinspire Codex. But on the other hand, if she gets Moonflora Island back, her name will be remembered forever. So what’s it going to be? Family or country?”
“Why is she still hesitating? Moonflora Island is the obvious choice. Let’s be real–this is about the bigger picture. She can’t let family stand in the way of doing what’s best for the country.”
“If I were her, I’d be stuck too. It’s clear the organizers set this up to force her hand. We all need to think for ourselves and not fall into their trap.”
“I want the lease on Moonflora Island to end, but I just hope Melody picks the choice that feels true to her. She fought hard to get here, and none of us have the right to judge her decision.”
The discussion grew louder, as more voices joined in.
Most of the audience seemed more level–headed.
To them, Moonflora Island’s lease had been in place for over a hundred years. It wasn’t a new issue–it had been ongoing for generations.
C
2/2
