CHAPTER 1 — "The Woman Everyone Wanted to Humiliate"
The entire gymnasium fell silent as an elderly woman slowly walked toward the center of the stage.
She wore an old gray cardigan that looked decades out of date, inexpensive shoes with worn-out soles, and carried nothing but a faded cloth handbag.
People whispered before she even spoke.
"Is she lost?"
"Who invited grandma?"
"This isn't a charity event."
The audience chuckled.
On the opposite side of the room stood Veronica Hayes—a ruthless corporate executive famous for destroying anyone who challenged her authority. She had organized the city's annual scholarship competition, an event broadcast live across social media.
Veronica glanced at the old woman with obvious disgust.
"I'm sorry," she said into the microphone with a fake smile. "Participants are supposed to register before entering."
The old woman smiled politely.
"I did."
Veronica frowned.
"I don't see your name."
The assistant hurried over with a clipboard.
"No record."
More laughter echoed across the room.
Someone in the audience shouted,
"Maybe she came for the free coffee!"
The crowd erupted.
The old woman didn't react.
She simply folded her trembling hands together and quietly waited.
That only irritated Veronica more.
"I think it's time security escorted this lady outside."
Two guards immediately approached.
One reached for her arm.
The old woman looked at him kindly.
"Young man... would you please allow me thirty more seconds?"
Her calm voice somehow made him hesitate.
Veronica rolled her eyes.
"You've already embarrassed yourself enough."
The audience pulled out phones.
Thousands of viewers joined the livestream.
Comments flooded the screen.
"This is painful to watch."
"Someone help the poor lady."
"She's definitely confused."
Then...
The old woman slowly reached into her handbag.
Everyone expected medicine.
Or perhaps an old photograph.
Instead...
She carefully pulled out a tiny cream-colored card.
No one could see what was written on it.
Veronica laughed.
"What exactly is that supposed to prove?"
The old woman gently smiled.
"It proves..."
"...that you've made the biggest mistake of your career."
For the first time...
Veronica stopped smiling.
Because standing behind the audience...
Someone important had just walked into the building.
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And the moment he saw the card...
His face instantly turned pale.
