And they actually believed he needed prize money for tuition? The stupidity was dragging down the average intelligence of our entire circle.
I regarded them both with cold indifference and stated again, "I don't need to swap paintings to win. Especially not for some preliminary round."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Wait, yeah—this competition is just domestic. Jack's always competed internationally."
"His family's loaded, and he's already established. Why would he cheat?"
"What would he even gain?"
Doubt flickered across Bonnie's face. Her gaze slid toward me, uncertain now.
But Cliff's lips curled into a mocking sneer. He jabbed a finger at my face.
"Need me to spell it out for you?"
"It's for the guaranteed admission spot!"
His voice turned razor-sharp. "You all think this competition is just about rankings and prize money. But the grand champion gets a guaranteed spot at a top international art academy."
"That's something no amount of competitions can buy!"
Gasps swept through the room.
Bonnie's eyes filled with disgust. "Even if you worm your way into an elite school through dirty tricks, you won't last. And besides—" She smiled coldly. "Your true colors are about to be exposed."