Chapter 909 - 446: The Higher the Tao, the Greater the Demon (Second Update)_2

Chapter 909: Chapter 446: The Higher the Tao, the Greater the Demon (Second Update)_2

Evan Stetford understood and spoke into the microphone, "I understand what everyone means. Whether the former champion should participate in the preliminary round is indeed not mentioned in the rules. I support everyone’s opinion."

As soon as Evan spoke, Lawrence Winters immediately changed the slogan.

"If the champion doesn’t come, it counts as a forfeit!"

This slogan immediately gained more support, and more people joined in shouting the slogan.

"If the champion doesn’t come, it counts as a forfeit!"

"If the champion doesn’t come, it counts as a forfeit!"

"If the champion doesn’t come, it counts as a forfeit!"

Many among the Celestial Path Sect were intimidated by Mr. Gilbert’s strength.

This year, there were far fewer entrants than the last, mainly because when everyone knew Mr. Gilbert intended to compete for a "third consecutive win," many capable individuals gave up.

They didn’t want to be cannon fodder for Mr. Gilbert’s "three-peat."

Now, if they could make Mr. Gilbert "forfeit on the spot," those competitors immediately felt their chances of winning the championship increased a lot.

So the slogan grew louder, and over three hundred people united once again.

With such momentum, no one dared to ignore it directly.

Caitlin Gilbert’s face turned livid, and she clenched her fists, wishing she could rush down and slap Lawrence Winters a few times.

"That woman is too provocative, isn’t she?! What did my dad do to provoke her by not entering the preliminary round? Does she really think that if she pulls my dad down, she could win the championship?!—She’s just underestimating the Grant Branch too much!"

Kenneth Osborne said calmly, "She’s just acting according to the rules. If your father bypasses the rules, even if he wins this time, it wouldn’t convince people."

"...But he didn’t have to participate in the preliminary round before! Why is it different this time?" Caitlin only remembered the rules favorable to her and momentarily forgot the unfavorable ones.

Kenneth had to remind her, "...That was just the last session. Previous champions all participated in the preliminary rounds."

"...How do you know?" Caitlin asked in surprise, "Are you also part of the Celestial Path Sect?"

Kenneth silently twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking poor memory is truly a flaw...

However, he didn’t say it out loud, only replying quietly, "Didn’t that lady just say so? I heard it from her."

"Ah? Oh, right, she did say that, but..." Caitlin placed a hand on the window ledge of the box, her fingers eager to dig a hole in it.

Just as Evan was about to agree with the slogan, Olivia Gilbert came over and softly said beside him, "Evan, let me handle this."

Evan: "..."

Though unwilling, he couldn’t refuse her outright in front of so many people.

So, he nodded and graciously stepped aside.

Olivia confidently stood in front of the microphone and softly said, "Fellow members of the sect..."

Her voice was a magnetic contralto, very pleasant to hear.

As soon as she spoke, the microphone amplified her voice massively, immediately suppressing the crowd’s chanting.

Lawrence Winters also stopped, looking up intently at her.

Olivia’s gaze also settled straight on Lawrence, softly saying, "Hello everyone, I am Olivia Gilbert, daughter of Mr. Gilbert, the champion of the last two sessions, and the senior secretary to Evan Stetford, chairman of this organizing committee. I’ve heard everyone’s appeal, and I want to apologize to everyone on behalf of myself and my father."

"It’s my job that wasn’t done well, overlooking the competition rules. My father originally intended to participate; it’s my fault, I thought he could skip the preliminary round."

"Now, I’ll send someone to invite my father to participate in the preliminary round. I hope you’ll give me a chance to make amends. I will also withdraw from this organizing committee as a punishment. Please forgive my carelessness."

As she spoke, she bowed three times to the audience.

Each time, she could bow to a full ninety degrees, her slender figure resembling the branch of a willow, captivating hearts.

Lawrence Winters raised an eyebrow, thinking Olivia Gilbert is quite capable...

This issue could be considered a minor PR crisis.

The best approach to handling a PR crisis is definitely through guiding rather than blocking; you can’t just insistently argue, even if you’re actually right—expressing sincerity at the first moment, being willing to take responsibility, and pursuing the truth together with everyone is always the most appropriate action.

Especially since Olivia immediately admitted her mistake, taking all the responsibility upon herself.

Lawrence thought that if it were her, the only way she could have done better than Olivia was to step forward sooner, not wait until it reached the point of canceling Mr. Gilbert’s qualification to speak out.