Chapter 560: Scandals All Over the Place

As Cecilia Vaughn finished speaking, the whole room erupted in cheers.

"Great! Classmate Vaughn, you’re awesome! Put that foreigner in his place!"

Many students at Stellerton University have a strong sense of pride. Besides, Veridia is no longer the "Sick Man of Aethelgard." Whether it’s the economic rise in recent years or the cultural export, both have been widely recognized by the world.

Even if other major powers internally resist this rising Eastern lion, no matter how they curse and slander, they cannot hide Veridia’s advancement to the forefront of the world stage.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that Veridian people are inevitably arrogant or that everything is already prosperous. But at the very least, today’s Veridians don’t need to panderingly flatter foreigners like they did a decade or even just a few years ago.

The notion that "the moon in a foreign country is rounder" does not exist.

A country with its own economic hard power and cultural soft power will have citizens who are more confident, generous, and straightforward than before.

Just as Cecilia Vaughn said, don’t think Vesperians live without money, relying solely on spiritual beliefs. Which Vesperian election hasn’t been built upon massive amounts of money?

Since we are all earthlings, why pretend to be aliens?

Without an economic foundation, how can there be talk of advanced development? Surely one can’t have survived this long just by living on air from the northwest wind?

Even Vesperia has to admit that their extensive printing of dollars is, in some ways, an exploitation of others’ economic achievements. For many years now, the global economic pattern has been under their control, with Vesperian currency becoming the main hard currency.

Thus, over the years, various countries wish to push their currencies forward, like Euronia, striving to elevate the euro’s economic status and strength.

If everything were dictated by Vesperian dollars, then Vesperia wouldn’t have to do much. Just by printing money, they could easily control other nations. Fortunately, over the years, other countries’ development hasn’t lagged much, revealing a gradually emerging multilateral national balance.

...

"Classmate Vaughn, you’re absolutely right. I felt there was something off with that foreigner’s words earlier, but I didn’t know how to counter. Honestly, you’re our pride."

"Exactly, it’s despicable to slam Veridia while in another country. Isn’t that a form of betrayal?"

"Yes, I also support Cecilia Vaughn... Sob, I apologize for previously criticizing you on the school forum!"

The supportive voices from classmates grew louder and louder. When mentioning betrayal, they couldn’t help but glance at Fiona Vaughn.

How absurd it is to belittle one’s country before a foreigner, ignoring Veridia’s ongoing development and potential. Such a one-sided view, favoring outsiders, truly grates on those who love their country.

It’s not that others can’t criticize, but that Mr. Adams clearly exploited these words, belittling every aspect of Veridia compared to Vesperia, reminiscent of an era when they couldn’t hold their heads high.

Who knows how many people from Euronia and Vesperia want to come to Veridia to seek fortune after its economic boom? If Veridia wasn’t an inclusive and accepting country, how could it have risen from the mire to soar as it has?

...

Fiona Vaughn’s face showed embarrassment and discomfort; she hadn’t expected the students to react so strongly. Was it wrong to say that Veridians only love money?

Besides, she knew for a fact that people in Veridia don’t have any particular beliefs.

She merely wanted to appease Mr. Adams, but it wasn’t like she was betraying her country for personal gain as they claimed, was it?

Fiona was upset and stood up, trying to counter the students’ words with a stern smile of determination.

"Classmate Chambers, why do you occasionally look at me when speaking about betrayal? Have I offended you? The Veridian economy has indeed developed rapidly, but that doesn’t mean it’s flawless."

"Fiona Vaughn, it’s surprising so many at school see you as a goddess. When you flatter that foreigner, do you really think we can’t hear your underlying scorn for your own people’s supposed materialism?"

"Right, there may be many materialistic people, but you shouldn’t generalize, and definitely don’t imply that Vesperians can live off faith alone."

Taking a leaf from Cecilia Vaughn’s book about not living on the northwest wind’s air, they retorted back directly.

Fiona Vaughn’s face turned crimson, feeling incredibly wronged, biting her lip, unsure of what to say.

—Forget it, there’s no point arguing with these broke students. Anyway, I’ve secured the youth ambassador role for Veridia and Vesperia, ensuring I have a spot at the major cultural exchange events, meeting important figures, which will pave my way to a better future.

With Tyson Law no longer freeing up the road to the entertainment world for her, Fiona acknowledged that protection was scarce, and she needed to find new ladders to climb.

Mr. Adams wasn’t her ultimate goal but a means to find another influential figure to lean on.

Initially, Chloe Alden’s uncle, Arnold Alden, could have been one. Yet with rumors spreading online about her and that older man, she dared not get too close, opting instead to seek someone new.

What concerned Fiona most was that this cultural exchange between Veridia and Vesperia would surely attract not only entertainment guests but also mysterious government figures. Climbing this social ladder could significantly enhance her prospects.

...

As Fiona was consoling herself with these thoughts, she suddenly heard a crisp round of applause.

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Startled, Fiona looked up to see an elderly gentleman in a classic gray-green robe walking towards her. He leaned on a dragon-headed cane. Despite his white hair and beard, his eyes were full of vitality, and his steps were steady, as if resonating with people’s hearts, exuding an aura more formidable than some younger folks.

"The young lady ahead has made a valid point. From which family does she come, to speak with such insight?"

Most importantly, this young one deftly drew on Veridia’s Empress Victoria’s edict of "let a hundred flowers bloom," yet only the peony did not comply. The foreigner, assuming cultural superiority, is utterly ignorant of the deep-rooted pride within Veridians.

Cecilia Vaughn was momentarily taken aback, but seeing the elder’s commanding presence and realizing the age gap, she couldn’t help but speak with more respect.

"I am Cecilia Vaughn, and my maternal grandfather is Old Mr. Sutton of Radiant Group."

The elder’s eyes lit up.

"So you’re Cecilia Vaughn!"