Chapter 117 - Unconfirmed Participation

"His apology is fine but, it is not the proper time to deliver this speech," Sofia stated before she dabbed the spoon on her bowl. She then started finishing her food.

"You are right, Sofia. That man does not have a brain! He knows that this is the time of celebration but now, he is ruining the mood! Tskk!" Jing Jing furrowed her brows and a deep scowl appeared on her face. 

Now, she started to question herself why she was able to have a past relationship with the man. She must have been blinded by love that she did not saw these bad qualities of Drake before.

"You sounded so bitter, sis Jing! Do you have grievances to this man?" Sofia questioned after realizing that Jing Jing seemed to talk about personal matters instead of just the professionalism issues.

"I have some resentments of him! That man is a snake!" Jing Jing replied as it was still from her memories of what he did to her. No matter how she wanted to ignore her hatred, it would seemed impossible to do.

"Ohh, I see. Well, he appeared to really have gotten his karma now that he was forced to swallow his pride and come here. When I talk with him earlier, he was so arrogant," Sofia commented.

"He is an arrogant snake!" Jing Jing supplied.

"For him to apologize, that should not be easy. Anyway, sister Jing, it's better not to waste your time on your hatred," Sofia mumbled. 

Her passive attitude towards her ex-boyfriend made Jing Jing looked at her for a long time. There was also bitterness on it that she could sense. But it was only because Sofia felt disappointed for the man to deliver his apology in such an event. He could have just discreetly done it... to handle the matter privately than letting the public know of what he had done.

"True. There are more good things that the world has to offer. For example, this buttered lobster and shrimp!" Jing Jing stated and enthusiastically picked the dish. The two easily changed their topic and did not pay much attention to Drake anymore.

"Nothing beats good food!" Sofia said with a casual smile on her lips.

In the middle, Drake had finished his speech and stood awkwardly. Toni, the host of the party was also glaring at him. The man had prepared a program for this party to follow. Yet, Drake came out of nowhere to present his apology. This could be seen as a lack of consideration to the organizer of the party. 

"This conceited heir of the FDS!!! Perhaps, he was waiting for someone to applause him? hmmm!" Toni whispered in annoyance as Drake continued to stand in the middle looking clueless at the people's reaction. 

He was confident that the guest would sympathize with him. However, as scanned the crowd, no one was paying attention to his speech anymore! 

At that point, for the first time in his life, he felt insignificant! He did not understand how those people ignored him when he just delivered his dramatic apology.

Sofia was right to guess that it was a big deal for the man to swallow his pride and apologize. If it was not for his father, he would never do it!

As Drake looked towards Mr. Greg's table, he saw the man was also busy texting on his phone. 

Drake sighed and stomped his feet on the carpeted floor before he walked out of the venue without looking back.

Unbeknownst to him, the guest may have not paid attention to his speech but the media personalities were covering it.

Before he could step outside the vicinity of the Rrad Hotel, another issue began to blow up on the internet. This time, it was centered on him. 

If Drake was ignored by the attendees of the victory party, the netizens had given his apology the right scrutiny.

A headline such as: "The Heir of FDS Press Company Apologizes for Tournament Misconduct!" circulated like a wildfire.

By the time Drake got back in his car, he received a call from his father again.

"You really want to destroy the reputation of our company?! Hmmph! Why is the internet roasting you right now!" the old man spoke the moment he pressed the answer button on his mobile screen.

"Father, I have no idea what you are talking about. I just apologized to Mr. Greg," Drake coldly replied.

"You have no idea... you have no idea... You always have no idea!!!" the old man yelled on the other line.

Drake remained silent. The fury in between his father's breathing and talking was too evident as he spoke. And he was just too tired anymore. In his mind, he had done what the old man was requesting for him. Why was he still disappointed?

"I have done what I think is right. Father, I am driving, so I will disconnect the call now," Drake stated and then hung up the call before the old man could speak a word.

As he turned on the engine of his car, there was a certain vehicle that caught in his peripheral view. 

This vehicle was a sports car that had not yet been produced in District 7. Drake always wanted to buy this car yet, the shipping was too troublesome for him.

He turned his engine off and then stared at the vehicle. This sports car was escorted by another two sedan cars behind. It stopped at the front area of the entrance area of the Rrad Hotel.

A man from the hotel went towards the sports car and then led the man inside, Three bodyguards trailed behind them.

Base on their movement's the man in the silver suit had an extraordinary background.

It was very rare to see someone in the district have a personal bodyguard.

"Who could be that tycoon?" Drake wondered. He took a glance at the sports car before he finally left the place.

Meanwhile, back on the victory party venue. People started to engage in one another. The media also began surrounding the Chronos squad table, asking few questions from every member of their team.

They easily responded to all the questions asked by the media personalities at them.  There were no signs of reluctance when they answered and discussed all their plans. As an individual and as a group.

"Our goal as a squad is beyond playing the game for we understood the nature of having a career in this field. If circumstance would allow, the Chronos squad would soon become the Chronos Corporation. My team somehow discussed this lightly, but soon, we will have a serious talk once we got the resources," Sofia finished their statement as the champion of the tournament.

Everybody clapped their hands in admiration. The group showed a clear goal and they also presented how they would achieve it. Overall, they could not believe that this group of youngsters has such a mature approach to their future!

"I have other questions, young miss. Ehem, it was announced that there would be an upcoming regional tournament soon. Will the Chronos squad be joining in this competition?" another interviewer quickly asked. This was one of the many hot topics on the internet right now. Hence, she did not waste the opportunity and asked the group directly.

"Right now, we won't confirm this matter. We are still students and there might be a conflict with our schedule at school," Sofia easily invaded the question. 

In reality, their chance of winning the regional tournament was unclear. She knew the struggle that they would be facing on the adjustments that they needed to undergo. 

Because of the new banning feature, it would be a complicated preparation that they needed to do. Hence, she had chosen the best alibi she could use for the interviewer to be satisfied with her answer.

Everyone seemed to be contented with her response. The people around were also reminded that Sofia's team was all attending junior and senior high. It was understandable if they won't partici[ate the tournament. With the goals that the group had presented to them, it was understandable that they would need to focus on their studies too. 

"I'm not saying that we won't be participating. The ban mode is an amazing feature. This gives us gamers more enjoyment in the game. Just follow our official page for the updates of our group!" Sofia added taking advantage of the interview to promote their organization.

The interviewer nodded at her and did not ask another question anymore. She initially had follow-up questions such as, 'What role and line up will your group be using?' 'Are you certain to get the champion title on the regionals?'

The list of questions was scribbled into her mini notebook. However, when Sofia expressed her response, her prepared questions had gone to nothing.

The media personalities also looked at the group in a new light after noticing how straightforward they talk. They could feel the firmness of their future plans which was admirable from such players of their age.