Locke's invitation to Helen Cho was partly because Mrs. Codd had begged him to do it, but the other half was his own calculation.
After all, Locke would be back next year.
He was only in the tenth grade. As long as he won the election and took the seat of Student Council President, he was guaranteed to hold the position for two years until the twelfth grade. That meant for the next two years, he had a guaranteed annual income of at least 145,000 points. Locke wouldn't even pass up small gains, let alone a massive feast like this.
However... he didn't plan on putting more points into his academic skills before graduation.
He had no intention of pursuing a career in scientific research; he wasn't interested in it. So, until university, he didn't plan to upgrade those skills further. But if Helen Cho and her team went back, reflected on their loss, and spent a year grinding to come back next year... they would be a real Avengers level threat.
If Locke didn't want to lose then, he might be forced to dump points into academic skills to keep up.
Why bother with that kind of "involution"? There was a much simpler way: just poach them. If Helen Cho and the others represented Midtown High next year, the problem was solved. It wasn't like they had some blood feud.
Helen Cho gave a polite smile, neither accepting nor declining. She simply said, "I'll consider it, Locke. Congratulations again."
"Thank you."
Taking all twelve trophies was Locke's promise. And Locke never broke a promise.
Soon, Helen Cho, Peter Parker, the future Invisible Woman, and Thor's girlfriend turned to leave. The stage now belonged to the victors, not them.
Mrs. Codd, seeing them heading for the exit, quickly stood up. She wanted to strike while the iron was hot and mention the transfer again. In a few days, she'd bring some teachers for a formal home visit to poach them properly; that way, it wouldn't seem so abrupt.
...
On stage, the competition equipment was being cleared away, and the twelve trophies were being brought out one by one.
Kahn and Cindy were embracing nearby, admiring the stage that was about to celebrate their victory. Matt had gone down to talk to his cousin, Andrew—the somewhat introverted and eccentric boy.
Gwen was chatting with Betty and Carrie.
Over the past month, Carrie hadn't become best friends with Gwen, but she had grown very close to Betty. It was a bit surprising, but Locke realized it made sense. Betty's personality was actually quite similar to Gwen's—kind and soft-hearted.
Initially, Betty felt Carrie's aura and speaking style were perfect for the Media Department. After a few invitations, Carrie gave it a try, and the student body's reaction was fantastic. One thing led to another, and they became close.
With Betty's support and the students positive feedback, Carrie had already started hosting news reports for the campus TV station. Though she was hesitant at first, with Betty's help, there were already signs that she and Betty would be known as the "Two Goddesses of Midtown Media."
Locke was happy to see it. He understood Carrie, and he understood Betty.
Betty wasn't like Cindy. Even with people she knew, Cindy might play a prank or two. But if you knew Cindy, you'd realize she wasn't a "mean girl" bully; she just liked to have fun. However, because of Carrie's past, she was naturally resistant to that "strong student" energy. She was fine with Cindy when the whole group was together, but in private, she rarely sought Cindy out.
Locke didn't interfere. He had given Carrie a new life, but that didn't mean he wanted to micromanage it. Besides, personality changes don't happen overnight. Carrie was only seventeen; her future was bright.
Locke walked over and smiled. "What are you guys talking about?"
Betty saw him coming. "I was just reiterating my demands to your campaign manager. Don't think about 'burning the bridge after crossing it.' I placed my bets on you from day one."
Locke laughed. "Don't worry, I won't."
Betty, as a key member of the Media Department, hadn't sided with Locke just out of classmate friendship. Well... 80% was friendship, but the other 20% involved her own goals—just like Sam Malik.
Sam had promised the football team's full support in exchange for Locke protecting the team's status once elected. Betty's "price" for her loyalty was that after Locke took office in June, he would support her efforts to reform the Media Department.
This was a campus election, but it was being run like a real political race. Much like Ms. Kathy in the New York City government, once in power, you had to fulfill the promises made to your supporters.
Locke naturally wouldn't refuse Betty. He had no political ambition. Again, if he could have entered the Knowledge Competition without running for President, he wouldn't have bothered with the Student Council at all.
After hearing Locke's reassurance, Betty smiled. "Then we'll leave you to it. Carrie and I are going back to the office. Remember to keep your lunch break and afternoon free tomorrow for an interview and a simple video recording. Let's go, Carrie. We're working overtime tonight to get the copy ready."
Carrie congratulated Locke and followed the hurrying Betty out. Although the official campaign speeches and canvassing wouldn't start for another week, this was a "strategic maneuver." By reporting on the Grand Slam victory, they were essentially campaigning under the guise of news.
If you could bring such honor to Midtown High, you too could ignore the rules and start building momentum early.
...
Gwen watched Betty and Carrie leave, then turned to Locke with a smile. "Why did you talk to the opposing captain for so long?"
Locke teased, "Are you jealous?"
Gwen maintained her smile. "No one is more excellent than me, Locke. I have confidence in myself."
In a "Scholar Goddess's" dictionary, the word 'jealousy' didn't exist. Furthermore, she looked at him with her beautiful eyes and added, "Whether I'm jealous depends on whether your heart skipped a beat, not mine. So, Locke, tell me... did it?"
Locke's eyes were clear. From the corner of his eye, he saw a campus reporter scurrying around with a camera. He smiled at Gwen.
In the next second, Locke leaned in, pulled Gwen into his arms, and kissed her.
*Click.*
The reporter captured a perfect shot. The students in the auditorium erupted into cheers and catcalls.
Helen Stacy watched the kiss, her mouth falling open in surprise. Beside her, George's face turned instantly, menacingly black.
(T/N:- George about to turn into Darth vader)
...
On stage, it was a brief, gentle kiss. When they parted, Locke looked at Gwen, who had her hand against his chest. She looked radiant, filled with the confidence of her own future.
"Before I met you, my heart was still," Locke said softly. "But after I met you, it started beating—and it keeps a frequency meant only for you."
He didn't actually have that much desire for women. If he did, with his current wealth, he could follow Clint Chester's example and become a diamond VIP at every club in New York.
Gwen didn't pull away. She looked up at him. "So, is this a confession?"
Locke had never formally confessed; it had seemed like they just naturally drifted together. Gwen wasn't the type who needed a formal confession, but there had been a tiny bit of regret about it.
And now?
Locke's eyes were sincere. "Yes. A confession for you alone."
Gwen's gaze drifted upward as if thinking, then she looked back at him, her tone playful as she stepped out of his embrace. "I hope your marriage proposal is also for me alone."
Locke laughed. "It will be. If George agreed today, I'd propose tomorrow."
Obviously, that was impossible. As of now, George only "tolerated" the situation; he hadn't "approved" it. There was a fundamental difference. Getting George to agree to a proposal would be monumentally difficult.
But that was fine. If George didn't agree, Locke could always arrange a "minor accident" that put George in a hospital bed for a few days. Helen would definitely agree, and once the wedding was over, George could be discharged. By then, it was a done deal. Everything would be perfect.
Gwen rolled her eyes at his comment. "That's your problem. I'll be waiting for that day."
"I guarantee it," Locke nodded.
Gwen smiled, and Locke changed the subject. "During the lunch break, Mrs. Codd found me. She wanted me to get in touch with Helen Cho and her team."
Gwen laughed at the explanation for his earlier conversation. "Mrs. Codd just can't help herself when she sees students with high grades."
Mrs. Codd had done the same to Gwen years ago—visiting her home and promising a high scholarship. Though it was less than Trinity's offer, Midtown's student body composition and other promises had won her over.
'Thankfully, it was the right choice,' Gwen thought, looking at Locke.
***
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