Disdain flickered in her eyes. "If my parents hadn't insisted I get close to you, I wouldn't have spared you a second glance!"
Cliff let tears roll down his cheeks, playing the gracious victim.
"If he won't admit it, just let it go. It's only a competition. There's always next year."
Before I could reiterate that I really did come in last—that I hadn't pulled any tricks—
Bonnie rushed to shield him.
"You come from nothing, Cliff! You were counting on winning first place to pay your tuition! By next year, you'll have dropped out!"
She bit her lip, her face a mask of anguished sympathy.
"You're just too strong for your own good. I've told you a hundred times—I can help you, financially, with connections, anything. But you insist on doing everything yourself." Her voice trembled with admiration. "You're nothing like those spoiled trust-fund brats who've had everything handed to them..."
The bullet comments exploded:
【Can the ex-boyfriend seriously not tell the FL is throwing shade at him?! Just forfeit already and give first place back to our precious ML!】
【The FL only sponsored this whole competition so she could be a judge—all for the ML's sake!】