Old Maddie's Mysterious Appearance and Nora's Suspicion
In a quiet, secluded room at the Quinn School of Martial
Arts, an elderly man named Old Maddie sat devouring food like he hadn't eaten
in days. He stuffed cake into his mouth until it was full, then quickly moved
on to meat, somehow managing to drink juice simultaneously. Speechless, Nora
watched him, wondering why he had snuck in to steal food. Just then, a staff
member entered, identifying the room as a senior student's changing room and
spotting Old Maddie. He rushed toward him, shouting, "Who are you? You
can't stay here! This food doesn't belong to you. Have you no respect for the
Quinn School of Martial Arts?"
The staff member grabbed Old Maddie roughly, attempting to
drag him out. However, Old Maddie smiled and continued eating. When the man's
grip revealed a badly scarred arm, Nora was taken aback by the staff member's
lack of respect. The man, now panicking, demanded security, believing Old
Maddie to be a beggar. Nora, however, intervened calmly, claiming she knew the
old man and offering to take him away, preventing further commotion.
Old Maddie, unfazed, continued to eat.
"Delicious," he muttered, further irritating the staff member. He
followed Nora without protest, recognizing that resisting could lead to serious
trouble. As they left the changing room, a crowd had gathered, hoping to see
Quinn's senior student. Nora and Old Maddie pushed through the throng and
eventually reached the parking lot.
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In the deserted lot, Nora checked Old Maddie's pulse and
eyes, finding him healthy yet perplexed by his presence so far from home.
"Old Maddie, why are you here?" she asked. He waved her off and
continued eating, offering her some squashed cake, which she declined.
Nora sighed and decided to take him home. She helped him
into the back seat of her car, fastened his seatbelt, and sent Justin a message
about leaving the building. As she drove, she studied Old Maddie in the
rearview mirror. He sat quietly, like a company director being chauffeured
home, but soon began fidgeting and touching everything. When Nora noticed, he
stopped and looked out the window.
Curious, Nora asked, "Old Maddie, do you know
Ryan?" He shook his head. "No, I don't know that name." She
frowned, recalling he had mentioned that name before. "Then do you know
Ian?" He nodded eagerly. "Ian is a good person. He has a
daughter," he repeated excitedly. Nora paused, asking, "Who is his
daughter?" Old Maddie pointed at her. "It's you, it's you, it's
you."
Confused, Nora questioned, "But everyone says I'm
Ryan's daughter." Old Maddie insisted, "No, you're not like him. You
look like Ian. You must be his daughter." His excitement grew, leaving
Nora to suspect he knew more than he let on. Could he be Ryan? The thought
struck her, and she hurried to the Smith household.
At home, she helped Old Maddie inside, seated him in the
front room, and discreetly collected hair samples for a DNA test. She called
Lili to arrange the testing, hoping to confirm or dispel her suspicions about
Old Maddie.
Old Maddie, left alone, seemed confused, muttering about Ian and his daughter. The next morning, Nora anxiously awaited the test results, though knowing it would take a few days. She found the kitchen atmosphere tense, with Maureen, Yvonne, Florence, and Warren involved in a heated discussion about a hacker alliance and accusations of leaking information.
As tensions escalated, Nora entered, casually admitting she
was responsible for revealing Yvonne's inadequate software. This left everyone
stunned, especially Yvonne, who felt betrayed. Nora, needing to prepare for a
team competition, left the room, unfazed by the accusations.
At the martial arts venue, Nora donned a mask and was
recognized by Quentin, the team leader. Despite her silence, he praised her
performance and promoted her to a higher category. Justin soon arrived, also
masked, ready to support her.
Nora's day was filled with revelations and suspicion, from
Old Maddie's mysterious knowledge to the tense family dynamics and her upcoming
competition. Her determination to uncover the truth about Old Maddie and her
resolve in facing challenges showcased her strength and resilience in the face
of uncertainty.
Quentin's Tournament Encounter
Quentin's presence at the tournament was initially marked by
confusion and surprise, particularly regarding Justin's decision to bring his
child into the ring. Quentin, intrigued by the audacity of this move,
eventually agreed to the plan, seeing an opportunity to enhance his own
prowess.
Meeting Justin and Jerry
Quentin encountered Justin, who had a child with him.
Justin’s calm confidence in handling both the child and the fight puzzled
Quentin, who questioned the safety and practicality of such an arrangement.
However, Justin’s assurance and Quentin’s desire for attention led to an
unexpected acceptance of this unusual setup.
Forming the Team
Quentin, eager to name their team something significant,
suggested "Third in the World," believing his prowess justified the
title. Nora, another team member, displayed indifference, while Justin remained
unfazed. The stadium announcer introduced their team and their opponents,
noting the peculiar composition of "Third in the World."
Entering the Ring
As the team entered the ring, the audience’s reaction was
overwhelmingly focused on Justin carrying his child and Nora’s distinct
appearance. Quentin mistook the crowd’s excitement for admiration directed at
him, reflecting his deep-seated need for recognition.
The Match Begins
Quentin instructed his team to support him while he handled
the opponents, but before he could finish, the opposing team, "Team
Contractor," launched a coordinated attack. Quentin quickly dispatched his
opponent, expecting to assist his teammates. To his astonishment, Nora and
Justin had already defeated their opponents with impressive ease.
Audience Reaction
The audience, stunned by the swift victory, erupted in
applause. Quentin, realizing that his teammates had drawn more attention, felt
a mix of pride and jealousy. The crowd chanted “One Punch Beauty” for Nora,
further highlighting her prowess. Meanwhile, Justin’s calm demeanor and the
sight of him carrying his child endeared him to the spectators.
Quentin's Frustration
Quentin's frustration grew as he witnessed the admiration
his teammates received. He had underestimated their abilities and was now
overshadowed by their performances. The realization that he was not the center
of attention was a blow to his ego.
Social Media Reaction
Back in the changing rooms, Quentin checked the tournament’s
discussion forum, hoping for praise but found himself almost entirely
overlooked. The edited photograph of the team excluded him, focusing instead on
Justin, Nora, and the child. Comments praised Nora’s skills and speculated on
Justin’s identity, with Quentin barely mentioned.
A Strategic Shift
Determined to reclaim the spotlight, Quentin suggested
carrying the child for the next match. Justin, seeing no harm, agreed. Quentin
entered the ring with the child, aiming to draw more attention. However, the
audience’s reaction suggested that they saw through his attempt, recognizing
the true talents behind the team’s success.
Rivalry and Resentment: Quentin's Path to Martial Arts Glory
Quentin's confidence and competitive spirit were palpable as
he listened to the murmurs and comments from the audience. He was irked by the
casual demeanor of the married couple, who seemed to treat the competition as a
leisurely outing rather than a serious challenge. His irritation grew when he
overheard another conversation questioning the significance of their team's
ranking and the couple's perceived goals. Quentin's disdain for being
underestimated fueled his determination as he stepped into the ring, seething
with anger.
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The competition was progressing well despite Quentin's
initial reservations about his teammates. With Nora's assistance, he fought
fiercely and quickly defeated his opponent. Their team had already won two
matches together, adding to their previous day's victories. They were now just
one win away from advancing to class B. Nora, feeling satisfied with their
progress, was about to leave when an announcement caught her attention. The
crowd was asked to welcome the next contender, a senior student from the Queen's
School of Martial Arts. Intrigued, Nora and Justin decided to stay and watch.
Quentin was already at the ring, eager to witness the performance of the senior student. He shared with Nora and Justin that the defending champion, Ivan, a senior student, was automatically assigned to class F. However, Quinn, another senior student who didn't attend the last tournament, had to start in class A. Quinn had not lost any matches so far and was on her way to class C. Quentin explained that the tournament had been going on for five days, with Quinn scheduled to fight four matches a day to advance quickly.
Nora felt a pang of resentment, wondering why Quinn received
special treatment and didn't have to fight as part of a team like the rest.
Quentin noticed her envy and reassured her that only senior students enjoyed
such privileges. He reminded her that their team had already made a name for
themselves and that advancing to class F would be a significant achievement.
Quentin's confidence was evident, and he promised Nora that once he secured
third place, everyone would envy her for being on his team.
As the senior student entered the ring, the crowd erupted in
cheers. Nora observed the muscular form of Quinn's senior student, impressed by
her physical prowess. The audience buzzed with excitement, anticipating a
showdown between the senior student and the defending champion. Despite the
impressive build of the senior student, some fans speculated that she might
struggle due to her weight. However, others were eager to see her advance
through the ranks.
Nora was particularly interested in the techniques used by
the senior student, which mirrored those taught at the Quinn School of Martial
Arts. The match was intense, but the senior student swiftly emerged victorious,
drawing fervent applause from the audience. The outcome, although expected, was
met with mixed reactions. Some fans believed she struggled, while others argued
that she was the superior fighter.
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Curious about the senior student's capabilities, Nora
decided to follow her backstage. She found the door to the impostor's changing
room open and slipped inside. The woman, noticing Nora's presence, asked
sharply, "Who are you?" This encounter set the stage for a deeper
exploration of the senior student's true identity and motivations.
Throughout the day's events, Quentin's unwavering
determination and competitive drive were evident. His anger and resentment
towards being underestimated only fueled his resolve to prove himself. Nora, on
the other hand, grappled with feelings of envy and curiosity, eager to
understand the dynamics of the tournament and the special treatment given to
certain competitors. As the competition progressed, both Quentin and Nora found
themselves navigating a complex web of rivalry, ambition, and personal growth.
The senior student's victories and the audience's reactions
highlighted the intense nature of the tournament. The crowd's mixed feelings
about the senior student's performance underscored the unpredictable and
competitive atmosphere. Quentin's confidence in his abilities and his promise
to Nora added a layer of personal stakes to their journey, setting the stage
for further challenges and triumphs.
In conclusion, Quentin's journey through the tournament was
marked by a fierce determination to prove himself and his team. Despite the
challenges and uncertainties, he remained focused on his goal of advancing to
class B and eventually class F. Nora's curiosity and envy added depth to their
experience, as she sought to understand the dynamics of the competition and the
special privileges granted to certain competitors. As the tournament
progressed, both Quentin and Nora faced personal and competitive challenges,
driving them to push their limits and strive for success.
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