บททั้งหมดของ The Eleventh Candidate: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Bryce had booked his celebration dinner at the Grand Crescent, the most expensive hotel in town.A huge banner hung over the entrance.CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. BRYCE CALLOWAY ON HIS NEW GOVERNMENT POSITION!There were still three days left in the pending hire period.But he had clearly stopped treating it as "pending" a long time ago.By the time I arrived, six tables were set up in the banquet hall, and nearly all our old high-school classmates had shown up.Bryce was in a suit, going from table to table making toasts.Someone told him what a bright future he had at a city agency."I haven't even officially started yet," he said, but he hadn't wasted a second before putting on the gift my mom gave him to celebrate.It was the Patek Philippe my grandpa had left behind.Mom always used to say she was saving it for my wedding day, so I'd have something impressive to wear.Then yesterday, she gave it to Bryce."Nice things should go to people who've made something of themselves.

Three days later, the review period ended.I got my notice to report for duty.At eight in the morning, I arrived at the Civic Center complex with my personnel file.I never expected to run into Bryce and Olivia right at the entrance.Bryce had put on a new suit for the occasion.A freshly issued temporary access badge hung on his chest, and he was carrying the briefcase Olivia had given him.Olivia held his paperwork for him, beaming.When she saw me, she stopped short.Then she laughed."You followed us all the way here?"Bryce was caught off guard too."Luke, don't tell me you knew I was reporting today and came here to ambush me."I didn't explain.All I said was, "Excuse me."But Olivia planted herself in front of me."We already broke up. What's the point of hanging on? You saw what happened at the hotel that night. Bryce and I are from the same world. The harder you cling, the more pathetic you look."Plenty of people were coming and going at the entrance.Soon,

Bryce stared at my phone as if he'd figured something out."The eleventh-place candidate?"I didn't confirm it, but I didn't deny it either.He lost it."You gave her the evidence, didn't you? Luke, you already got in yourself! Why'd you have to ruin my shot?"I almost laughed out loud."Did I make you corner me in a bathroom, dump filth on me, and film it? Because that's what ruined your shot."His face went red, then pale.Right then, Mom grabbed my arm."Luke, let it go. We're all from the same town. Don't blow this up and ruin someone's future!"Those words again.Six years ago, it was "let it go."Six years later, it was still "let it go."She lowered her voice."You passed anyway. You even came in first. And you're not taking Bryce's position. Can't you just tell them that what happened back then wasn't that serious, so he can keep his job?"I looked at her, my gaze turning cold."Mom! So as long as I'm the one getting hurt, everything can just be let go?"Her li

The recording kept going.Sabrina said, "I don't want your money."Bryce's voice instantly turned cold."Think carefully. Even if you get in as a replacement, you'll just be a rookie. My dad knows more people than you can imagine. If you really want to burn every bridge, you'll have plenty of chances to regret it."The recording ended.The room was so quiet you could've heard a pin drop.Bryce's face was ashen."It's fake! She edited it!"Sabrina handed her phone straight over."The original file is right here, with the time and location. I made a backup too."The staff member didn't argue with Bryce. He just told him to stay behind and cooperate with further verification.When I walked out of the building, Olivia was somehow still at the entrance.She was holding a pair of designer dress shoes.The moment she saw me, she hurried over."Luke. I've been waiting for you for two hours."I looked at the shoes and suddenly remembered a few days ago, when she'd asked me, "Did

A month later, Sabrina's certification into the vacancy went through.On her first official day, she sent me a photo of her employee badge."Thank you."I replied, "You earned this yourself."I heard about what happened to Bryce afterward from our old high-school classmates.His appointment was permanently withdrawn.A job he'd already lined up fell through too, once word got out that his dad was under investigation.Everyone who used to hover around the Calloways scattered.After Raymond was removed from office, he chewed Bryce out in front of the whole family."I wasted my whole life cleaning up your messes!"The most ironic part was Olivia.She used to fawn over Raymond every chance she got, but the moment the Calloways got into trouble, she ran faster than anyone.Bryce went to her workplace to confront her, and the two of them had a fight in the parking lot that everyone heard about.In tears, he asked her, "Didn't you say you were going to marry me?"All Olivia said