The hall was still buzzing.
Not settled.
Not finished.
Just shifting from exposure into aftermath—while everything continued collapsing in real time.
Madam Zhou Liren and Mr. Fie Rui were still inside the committee hall when Professor Liu made the announcement.
His voice was calm.
But absolute.
"You are disqualified from judging."
A pause.
"Effective immediately."
The room didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Mr. Fie Rui tried to speak.
"This matter can be reviewed—"
"No," Professor Liu interrupted.
"Not when bribery has been proven."
Silence dropped instantly.
Madam Zhou's expression tightened.
"This is humiliation."
Professor Liu's gaze didn't change.
"No."
"This is consequence."
By the time they stepped out of the building—
they weren't escorted.
They weren't arrested.
They simply walked out…
to cameras already waiting outside.
Phones raised.
Voices shouting.
Reporters swarming.
"Madam Zhou! Did you accept bribes from the Chen family?!"
"Mr. Fie Rui ! Is the video real?!"
They lowered their heads.
And walked through it.
Embarrassed.
Exposed.
Erased from authority in real time.
Inside Liang Manor later that day
a formal committee letter arrived
Ethan placed it on the table.
"National Art Committee wants you."
Lila read it quietly.
Then placed it down.
"I'm still a student."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"That wasn't a rejection."
Lila shook her head slightly.
"I don't have time for committees."
"But I can assist if needed."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"So you want influence without responsibility."
Lila glanced at him.
"I want balance."
The committee representative arrived shortly after.
Nervous.
Respectful.
He bowed deeply.
"Master Lily—"
Lila immediately raised her hand.
"No titles."
"I'm Lila Chen."
He hesitated.
Then nodded quickly.
"Then… may we consult you in future matters?"
Lila agreed lightly.
"As long as it doesn't interfere with school."
He bowed again.
Relieved.
Master Sen arrived without announcement.
Just presence.
Just intent.
He stopped in front of Lila.
Then bowed deeply.
"Master."
Lila sighed softly.
"Stand up."
"You're older than me."
He didn't move.
"I don't bow to age."
"I bow to mastery."
A pause.
Lila looked at him for a moment.
Then spoke calmly.
"You've improved."
That was all.
But Master Sen smiled faintly.
"That's enough."
Derek Wang's Immediate Reaction
Elsewhere—
Derek stared at the termination notice.
Ethan Li had cut the Wang Group contract.
Clean.
Instant.
No negotiation.
His assistant spoke carefully.
"Sir… this will affect all external partnerships."
Derek didn't respond immediately.
Then—
his fist slammed the table.
"So he chooses her over everything."
His eyes darkened.
"And humiliates me publicly…"
A pause.
His voice dropped.
"I won't forget this."
He stood.
Grabbed his coat.
"This isn't over."
And left.
With intent forming.
Not defeat.
Not yet.
At the Chen residence
Vivian stormed in first.
The moment she saw the house—
her anger exploded.
"It's all ruined!"
Her voice echoed through the hall.
Mrs Chen followed quickly.
"Vivian—stop!"
But Vivian was already throwing objects.
Glass. Frames. Decorations.
Anything.
"They all laughed at me!"
Her breathing was uneven.
Her eyes wild.
She slammed her bedroom door shut.
And locked it.
Mrs Chen knocked urgently.
"Vivian! Open this door!"
No response.
Just silence.
Then—
a loud crash inside.
Vivian had smashed her phone.
The screen fractured instantly.
Weibo still open.
Still burning.
"Vivian Chen is finished."
"Fake genius exposed."
"Stolen art confirmed."
Her hands trembled.
Then her expression changed.
Slow realization.
Cold.
"…Lila Chen."
A whisper.
Then sharper.
"She planned everything."
Outside the door—
Mrs Chen lowered her hand slowly.
Then turned away.
"She needs time."
And left.
Night had not changed the tension outside—
but inside Liang Manor, it was calm.
Warm.
Controlled.
Butler Han had prepared everything perfectly.
Ethan and Lila sat across from each other.
Quiet dinner.
No chaos.
Just presence.
Ethan leaned back slightly.
"You handled today well."
Lila replied softly.
"I didn't handle anything."
A pause.
"I just let it unfold."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"That's worse."
Li Zhongyuan's Call
Ethan's phone rang.
He checked it.
Then stood.
"Grandfather."
He answered.
A deep voice came through.
Li Zhongyuan.
"Put me on speaker."
Ethan handed the phone to Lila.
A warm but powerful voice came through.
You turned the brat world upside down."
Lila Laughed
"I didn't do anything like that."
A deep laugh.
"Modest. Good."
He continued.
"Ethan usually makes poor decisions."
Ethan sighed quietly nearby.
"Grandfather…"
"But this time," the old man said proudly,
"he did well."
A pause.
"I approve of you."
Lila paused slightly.
Thank you grand father
Then—
his tone softened.
"Come to the Li ancestral house this weekend."
Ethan looked up immediately.
Lila nodded.
"I will come."
Then came the final line.
"And about your identity… Master Lily."
Silence.
Even Ethan stopped moving.
Li Zhongyuan continued proudly.
"The world knows your name."
"But I know what it means."
A pause.
"I am proud of you."
For the first time—
Lila's expression softened slightly.
Thank you grandfather
Call ended.
After the Call
Li Zhongyuan leaned back in his chair.
Satisfied.
His butler watched him.
"You seem pleased, sir."
The old man chuckled.
"I am."
A pause.
"That boy finally chose right."
Then added casually—
"And I think…"
"…great-grandchildren are not far."
Old Fu Shi the butler coughed.
"Sir—"
But the old man only laughed louder