The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 189: The President Only Praises Victoria

Ella was over the moon with all the compliments she was getting. 

Only Jasmine knew she had actually lost to Victoria, but she kept it to herself. Watching Ella soak up the praise was more satisfying than seeing Victoria in the spotlight. 

Ella even announced that everyone who attended the seminar that day would get a nice gift. And those who stayed until the end would be treated to a barbecue feast at the priciest buffet near the school.

The students cheered, "Ella is so generous! We'll definitely be there." 

Some of Ella's admirers tried to ask her about chess, but she skillfully dodged their questions with a smile.

Victoria walked into the snooker club, and Mira asked curiously, "Victoria, why are you here so early? Weren't you supposed to be prepping for the chess seminar?"

Victoria started warming up and replied, "Ella took over that job."

Mira pouted, "She just wants to be the center of attention. And she's always hanging around Dennis. She probably took on this task because she's jealous you get to discuss things with Dennis alone. Victoria, why don't you compete with her? I think Dennis likes you more. Why let Ella have him?"

Victoria smiled and winked, "Mira, don't say that. Dennis and I are just schoolmates. I have no interest in him. Who Dennis likes has nothing to do with me." 

Whether Ella genuinely liked Dennis or was just attracted to his status and fame was none of her concern. 

Originally, Victoria and Dennis had planned to buy some gifts themselves to attract people to the seminar. Since young people weren't very interested in chess, they couldn't let the association's event be a flop. 

Now that Ella volunteered to help, she loved spending money to win over students, and she had a good reputation, so she would definitely draw a crowd.

After speaking, Victoria picked up her cue and started practicing. At that moment, Ethan stood at the door, a slow smile spreading across his face. 

He had overheard Victoria's words, and her relaxed tone showed no hint of shyness, confirming she had no feelings for Dennis. 

In school, the only person he considered a threat was Dennis.

Dennis came from a scholarly family, not as powerful as the Smith family, but still prestigious. He was also good-looking, upright, and gentle, making him very popular among the girls. 

More importantly, he and Victoria were in the same major, sharing many common interests, and they might have many opportunities to work together in the future. 

Ethan would never forget the shock and anger he felt last Thanksgiving when he realized Victoria knew Dennis' preferences. 

At that time, he and Victoria weren't close enough to remember each other's likes and dislikes. 

Fortunately, after six months of getting to know each other, he believed he was now more important to Victoria than Dennis.

Nick passed by the door and was surprised to see Ethan standing there motionless. He patted Ethan's shoulder and asked, "Ethan, what's up?"

Ethan slowly shifted his gaze from Victoria to Nick's face and said expressionlessly, "Waiting for you."

Nick laughed heartily, "Haha, you're being so nice today, it's almost unsettling." 

His loud laughter caught the attention of Victoria and Mira. They looked over, exchanged greetings, and then resumed their practice.

On the day of the chess association seminar, the weather was perfect, and the auditorium was packed. 

When the president took the stage, the audience erupted in applause, mostly because they had received gifts from Ella. 

Many had seen photos of Ella with the president and were quietly chatting about how she hadn't exaggerated her connections. 

Ella had snagged a front-row seat for herself, right between Dennis and the president. 

After the president's speech, she eagerly started chatting with him. 

However, the president, while thanking her, asked, "Who are you? Thanks for your hard work today. Why didn't we have Victoria, our chess champion, sit in the front?"

Ella's smile faltered for a moment before she forced it back and replied, "President, I was the runner-up in that competition. I'm also from Nexus College."

The president scrutinized her but couldn't place her. He only remembered the first-place winner, Victoria, and had little impression of Ella. 

So he politely smiled and said, "Oh, I remember now. It's you. You don't seem to come to our association often, so I didn't recognize you."

Ella feigned a smile and said, "Yes, I'm usually busy with my studies. I'll make sure to come more often in the future."

At the end, the president said on stage, "If anyone is interested in chess, you can consult our association's Victoria. Despite her young age, her chess skills are exceptional. Victoria, please stand up so everyone can recognize you."

Victoria, sitting in the back row, stood up gracefully and said, "I've just been studying chess for a while. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss it with everyone." 

The spotlight shone on her, and the students in the front row turned to look at her. 

Someone whispered, "What's going on? Didn't they say Ella was the chess prodigy of the association? She even has photos with the president. Why is he only praising Victoria now?"

Ella's face darkened as she lowered her head. This old man must be out of his mind. She had put so much effort into making the seminar a success, yet he only remembered Victoria. 

Was chess skill really that important? She had spent money and effort, and this ungrateful old man didn't even appreciate it.

After the event, the drama students followed Ella to the barbecue feast. 

However, people kept discussing, "Is Ella really part of the chess association? Since the president publicly praised Victoria, her chess skills must be very high. So she's the real chess prodigy." 

Natalia, dissatisfied, said, "Ella is treating everyone to barbecue, and you don't even appreciate it. Instead, you gossip about her. She is a member of the chess association. The president probably just forgot to mention her. Ella worked hard for this event for days, unlike Victoria, who has nothing better to do than flatter the president."

Ella spent a long time in the restroom calming herself down and reapplying her makeup before coming out. 

Jasmine sneered, "Why didn't you prepare better? At least make sure the president and Dennis know about your hard work. Now, with so many people here, everyone only remembers Victoria's chess skills. No one even mentioned your name. People might think you're Victoria's servant."

Ella stomped her foot and said, "Jasmine, stop it. I messed up this time." 

Dennis knew about this, but he didn't thank her on stage and even declined her invitation. 

'Maybe he just doesn't like barbecue,' Ella could only comfort herself with this thought.