Chapter 76 - Heated Discussion (1)

"The main organizers asked to speak to a representative of your squad," AN returned to the Chonos squad booth for the third time.

"Is it about that disqualification issue of that FDS press?" Joey inquired with a visible frown on his face. He worriedly glanced at Sofia's side to see her reaction. But the lady remained calm in her seat.

"The organizers won't let us rest for this break? We must have pissed them for refusing the interview! But still..." Clark also complained but stopped in mid sentence.

"It's fine! I'm told that it's just a short discussion," AN looked sympathetic to the group.

The organizers were indeed on an emergency meeting after Drake complained that the Chronos squad did not agree to be interviewed by them.

They wanted to get the Chronos squad side and know the situation first, hence, they asked a representative to have a quick talk.

"Miss, it was you who refused the interview by the FDS Press Company, I think it's best if you talk with the organizers? I am just part of the staff here, but I think it's better to express your thoughts openly about this matter," AN looked at Sofia and hinted her to come.

"No problem. I'll talk to them. Lead the way," Sofia stood from her seat. Then she glanced at her members and Jing Jing with a thoughtful expression, "I'll be back."

AN guided Sofia to a room with a sign. "No Entry for Unauthorized Person"

She pushed open and bowed at the seniors sitting on the long table. Then, AN moved to the side and let Sofia entered.

"Good Afternoon! I'm Sofia from the Chronos squad!" Sofia's greeting was casual as she walked inside. She glanced at the people around as if memorizing their faces.

There are seven people sitting around the table and there was no available empty seat for her. It only meant one thing. They did not see her presence as important.

"Young lady, what is this complaint that we received? Your squad is refusing to get an interview with our press?" The man sitting in the center of the table questioned right away.

"Did you or did you not expect for me to come here?" Sofia asked back, completely ignoring the initial question from the man.

Her tone sent chills at the back of her spine that all of the people in the room sat frozen for a few seconds.

"What question is that? We have called one representative of the Chronos squad, of course, we are expecting any member would show up! Or could it be that your squad don't want to comply in this discussion too?" the man clicked his tongue and his face turned sour.

"The issue is not about compliance," Sofia responded. Her posture did not falter despite the tone of the man.

"Bah! If you think that it is not about compliance, then what should be the issue?" the old man retorted. The other people sitting along with him secretly took a breath as the atmosphere around became uncomfortable.

"The issue is your lack of respect," Sofia answered calmly. Her eyes were clear and there was no sign of emotion that can be read on it.

"I'm not sure if I am following you, young miss! What do you mean by that? Lack of respect? Its your squad who refused to be interviewed with our press?! In this case, it's you who have no respect for our choice for the publicity of this tournament!" another man who sat on the left side of the table helped to reason with Sofia.

"No sir, you are not following me. The lack of respect is not about the interview. That's for us to discuss later. Right now, it's about how you treat me, right at this moment. You claimed to have expected anyone in my team to show up in this room. Why is there no chair for me to use?" Sofia demanded. Her voice is low but she spoke every word with clarity.

A deafening silence followed to engulfed them. Some people even looked away and pretended to be busy.

It turned out that the young lady had seen through their malicious motives!

They had indeed purposely removed one chair out of the room for the reason that they wanted to make her feel small and unimportant.

If it was Claire or another Chronos member who entered that room, such a gesture would surely felt hurt. 

This was the kind of effect that they want to make the Chronos squad feel. Perhaps, a punishment for their refusal to follow the interview arrangement they had prepared.

However, Sofia just stood there calmly, waiting for them to speak. She was not even hurt by their treatment. Instead, she made them realized how lacking their characters were!

At that moment, every person around that table shared one thought in their mind.

The young lady is not simple to deal!

"Ehem! Please get a chair for Miss Sofia," the man on the center seat instructed AN and the staff quickly followed.

Just as they are about to find a way to speak, Sofia moved her feet slightly and combed her hair.

"I don't know if you are aware of this, but judging by how you act today, you may not be fully conscious." Sofia paused and moved another step forward.

"Fully conscious of what?" a woman on the right side of the table interrupted.

"I'll give you tips which I learned in the past... Preparing an extra chair for the person that you are expected to have a discussion with, this might be a simple gesture but it holds so much accountability. It shows your character," Sofia lightly shook her head and sighed. Her face showed great disappointment.

"You organize this tournament and so far it is a successful event. I even praised the preparation you made earlier this morning. However, right now, all praises are buried! Why? Because in my eyes, you are nothing but bullies." Sofia finished.

At the same time, AN returned pushing a chair inside the room.

"Thank you, sister AN!" Sofia muttered and placed the chair on the other side of the table. Then she sat elegantly opposite the man sitting in the other center.

These organizers had not yet been able to fully recover from such a quick lecture when they were shocked again by the choice of seat the young lady sat.

All of them looked at one another with an awkward expression while the man sitting in the other end took a bottle of water and drunk all its content.