THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 350: Perpetual Failures

Jamie’s buzzer went off, but was a little bit too late and Lauren’s heart sank.

They were so close but this cunning bitch that she didn’t know how she offended her still wouldn’t give up.

But wait, why has she not answered?

"It’s like Café Solstice doesn’t have the answer.

Hardly had the host’s voice dropped then Jamie’s buzzer went off again.

"Pour-over," he declared. "Is the brewing method that uses a cloth or paper filter to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee."

The host smiled. "Correct," he said and cast a look of admiration at Jamie.

That was smart. While the members of the other theme were busy getting angry at Café Solstice for their interference when it was obvious they didn’t need that one question, Jamie took advantage of that moment to secure his theme’s victory.

And with that, the quiz ended.

The scores were tallied, and the host began announcing the teams moving on to the next stage.

"After a fierce Bean Battle, the following teams have qualified to the next stage.

"Café Solstice."

"Silk and Steam."

"The Enclave Café."

"Café Ambrosia."

"And last but not the least, Enpress Brew."

"Congratulations everyone. You have all done well, see you tomorrow for the great battle."

Hearing their name been mentioned,

Empress Brew’s team members erupted in relieved smiles, exchanging hugs. They had made it. Their Boss, Lauren, and Jamie had secured them a place for tomorrow’s challenge.

As they made their way back to their stand where the rest of their teammates were, Peggy approached Lauren and Jamie, her demeanor icy but her words deceptively polite.

"Well done," she said. "I hope you’re ready for tomorrow. The Latte and Signature Drink Challenge is where the real competition begins."

Lauren met Peggy’s gaze steadily and replied in a matching unwavering voice.

"We’ll be ready." She didn’t bother to be polite by responding to her fake congratulations.

"What’s with the attitude?" The leaders of the last theme that was eliminated after Lauren’s team answered two correct questions, scolded. She was also the person who spoke up for Peggy during the short break.

Other contestants chimed in, especially members of the eliminated teams.

"You could at least show some respect, Ms Holmes. Ms Carter here is just being nice," another added in an accusatory tone, unlike some people who are too bloated by a chance victory.

"Yeah, not only is Ms Carter who has won several competitions beautiful and talented, but she is also very humble about it.

Peggy smiled at the person, this time with a touch of genuine warmth. "Thank you. But like I said before, I’ll still attribute it to the support from my team."

"Yeah, not only is Ms. Carter humble and talented, but she is also beautiful. There are not many people who can combine these three outstanding qualities so flawlessly."

"I’ve always looked up to Ms. Carter as a mentor. How do you manage to pull off these three outstanding qualities? Tell us."

She paused, looking around at the eager faces. "Indeed you flatter me, my friends. But since you insist on knowing these little things which I really don’t care about, I’ll have to say that, beauty, talent, humility—they’re all qualities that anyone can cultivate with the right mindset and support. I’m just grateful to be surrounded by such an inspiring community that pushes me to be my best."

"And as for balancing everything, it’s really about staying focused on what you love and being dedicated to improving every day."

"We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and that’s what makes each of us unique. Just keep striving to learn and grow, and support one another. That’s what makes this community so special."

"That’s the spirit. I hope some wannabes can learn from you," one person clapped and darted a suggestive look in Lauren’s direction.

Lauren sneered, "Was it really so cool to offend others just because you want to curry favor from another?"

"They mean no harm; they are just trying to remind you that one shouldn’t be too proud after just one victory," Peggy interjected kindly, though her eyes flashed with malice.

How can Lauren at this time, not understand who the center of attraction was? Was she that daft to keep competing with her for attention? All these people here were her fans.

Sure enough, the next minutes brought more scolding from other contestants.

"You should be grateful for the encouragement, not dismissive," one contestant scolded.

Lauren had had enough. These people were a bunch of losers, and she had to put them in their place.

Thus she retaliated, countering them one after the other.

Turning to the first loser, she said, "Respect is earned, not demanded. If you think I’m supposed to bow down to someone who belittles others, you’re mistaken."

"When did we ask you to bow? And even if you were asked to bow to Ms Carter, she deserves it as someone who has won the competition back to back for two executive times," the person retorted.

Lauren’s lips turned up in disdain. "Were you told the intensity of those competitions and the criteria used for judging those competitions?"

"Whatever the criteria was, it still doesn’t change the fact that she won those two times," another threw back.

"If I remember correctly, you are from Velvet Roast and you are from Café Allegro," Lauren pointed to the two people who were scolding her the most, "you have also taken part in those competitions, right?"

"Yes. We have, unlike a certain someone who is only just having a feel of what a competition is all about," the lady from Café Allegro boasted.

"I must say it’s a great achievement," Lauren said.

"Thanks. At least you still know what it means to partake in those competitions..." the person retorted as soon as Lauren praised her.

"However," Lauren cut her off, "I wouldn’t consider being eliminated at the first rounds for those two years that great of an achievement," Lauren released and soon the target changed.

"What? They never made it through the first stage? And in the current competition, they still failed at the first stage? It’s quite pathetic. Once is understandable, but even after two tries, they still failed."

"If I was the one, I’ll just change my career, ASAP. At this point shouldn’t they have realized that it would be best if they became salesgirls instead of constantly occupying space in the coffee industry?"

"To think that they were looking down on us because they had one extra point ahead of us? Who would have thought that they were perpetual failures."

"They are doomed to fail and that is why they can only end up as suckers."

The ones attacking were other team members who also got eliminated but weren’t in support of Peggy and her psychopathic followers.

The dicing kept coming and the two people from Café Allegro and Velvet Roast didn’t know where to hide their faces. It was like the ground should open up for them to hide.

They turned to Peggy for help but the selfish Peggy pretended to be busy with something on her phone.

Lauren saw this and sneered. She wondered why people would never learn. This was the same person they were busy sticking their necks for in a matter that did not concern them, but now, she has abandoned them.