Broken by Destiny by George Orwell 319

Gianna felt a sudden wave of embarrassment when Jeremy challenged her to explain and demonstrate the theory behind her experiment. Despite her confidence, built on hours of practice with her mother, she struggled to maintain her composure under his scrutiny. Jeremy, usually reserved, took a firm stand defending Amelia, Gianna’s rival, and openly opposed Gianna’s arrogance. Sabrina, watching from afar, grew uneasy at Jeremy’s unexpected allegiance to Amelia.

As Gianna began explaining, Regina whispered instructions to her, helping her maintain the act. However, when Regina’s guidance suddenly stopped, Gianna faltered, her confidence breaking. Jeremy immediately noticed her hesitation and questioned her, prompting Gianna to nervously claim she was just thinking. Unbeknownst to Gianna, Amelia had anticipated their secret coordination and had arranged for Tyler to activate a jammer, cutting off communication between Gianna and Regina.

Miguel, observing the situation, sensed something was wrong, recalling a similar incident when Gianna had faltered during a previous presentation. Gianna tried to dismiss his concern, but Amelia seized the moment to mock her, reminding everyone of that past failure and casting doubt on Gianna’s abilities. The crowd’s attention shifted to Gianna, their doubts growing stronger, while Amelia, feeling confident, prepared to take the upper hand in their ongoing rivalry.

Chapter 319: The Perfect Timing

Gianna’s heart sank the moment she heard those words. A sting of embarrassment crept over her, but she quickly masked it with a confident tone. “Mr. Curran, that’s hardly fair,” she said firmly, trying to hold onto her dignity. “You have to understand the theory before you jump into the experiments.”

She added, “I can explain everything and demonstrate it at the same time.”

Her confidence wasn’t unfounded. After all, she had spent countless hours rehearsing with her mother just to prepare for this very moment on the show. All she needed was to listen carefully to her mother’s instructions, then repeat them while performing a few simple steps herself. It wasn’t complicated.

“Really? Then go ahead and start,” Jeremy challenged, pushing her further.

Normally, Jeremy kept to himself and avoided meddling, especially when surrounded by a group of women. But Gianna was Amelia’s sworn rival—someone who constantly schemed against Amelia, trying to frame or trick her almost daily. Now that he had a chance to stand up for Amelia, Jeremy wasn’t about to stay silent.

At the far edge of the room, unnoticed by most, Sabrina’s expression darkened. She watched Jeremy defend Amelia so fiercely and oppose Gianna so openly. It unsettled her deeply.

Gianna, undeterred, maintained her arrogant composure. She began explaining the process aloud and even pretended to demonstrate the steps.

Meanwhile, Amelia quietly counted to three in her mind.

One… two… three.

On that count, Regina had been whispering instructions into Gianna’s ear, guiding her every move.

Suddenly, Gianna realized the voice had gone silent.

“And then, the water control is also…” she faltered, her words trailing off awkwardly.

Regina’s signal had been cut off, and Gianna’s confident flow shattered.

“What’s wrong? You were doing so well just a moment ago. Why the sudden hesitation?” Jeremy observed immediately.

He glanced at Amelia, needing no confirmation. Without waiting for her to speak, he voiced what she was thinking.

Amelia felt a warm glow fill her chest, and her eyes softened involuntarily.

“N-no, that’s not it. I was just… thinking,” Gianna stammered, panic creeping back into her voice.

She suddenly felt unmoored, like the ground beneath her was shifting. Hadn’t her mother warned her that with all the cameras and crew around, Amelia wouldn’t dare use a jammer? Yet all the equipment and instruments seemed to be functioning perfectly.

Gianna’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the strange silence and her faltering speech. Anxiety gripped her tightly.

What she didn’t realize was that Amelia had already anticipated this move. She knew Gianna and Regina would try to coordinate secretly, and that’s why Amelia had stayed still at the start—letting them relax, letting their guard down.

Amelia waited patiently until their confidence swelled, until they believed their plan was flawless, and then she struck.

They were right about one thing: with so many people and devices around, activating a jammer here would have been foolish. But that didn’t mean the trick wouldn’t work elsewhere.

Perhaps Regina had grown overconfident or simply underestimated Amelia’s foresight.

Tsk. Amelia had arranged for Tyler to activate a jammer on Regina’s side. She was certain that before the show ended, any communication between Gianna and Regina would be completely cut off.

“Gianna, are you okay? Do you feel sick?” Miguel asked, concern etched across his face.

He had a bad feeling about the whole scene. It felt eerily familiar.

Back when Gianna had been presenting at Nygard Group, something very similar had happened. She’d started off smoothly, but then suddenly, as if the connection had frozen, she faltered.

Now, history was repeating itself. Miguel couldn’t help but grow suspicious.

“I-I’m fine. Just felt a bit off for a moment,” Gianna replied quickly, trying to brush it off.

“Heh. Feeling off again? Your timing never fails to impress, huh?” Amelia sneered coldly.

“Remember last time at Nygard Group? You suddenly felt off there too. What a coincidence,” she added with a mocking smile.

Everyone’s gaze shifted toward Gianna, their expressions tinged with doubt.

Wasn’t this the same girl who always tried to show off, always aiming to outdo Amelia?

Perfect. Amelia was in a good mood today, and she decided to take the initiative and strike first.

The tension in the room lingered as Gianna’s facade cracked, revealing the vulnerability beneath her confident exterior. Amelia’s quiet patience and calculated strategy had paid off, exposing the cracks in Gianna’s carefully constructed performance. The subtle interplay of rivalry and anticipation underscored the emotional stakes, where pride and cunning danced on a knife’s edge, leaving everyone to wonder who would truly come out on top.

In this charged moment, the chapter captures the fragile balance between appearance and reality, confidence and doubt. It reminds us that beneath every bold front lies a human heart, susceptible to fear and uncertainty. As the characters navigate this intricate game of wits, their intertwined fates continue to unfold, shaped by timing, trust, and the unspoken battles that define them.

The tension in the room is palpable as Gianna’s confidence begins to crumble, and the subtle power plays between Amelia, Jeremy, and Regina set the stage for even deeper confrontations. In the next chapter, expect the fragile alliances and rivalries to be tested as hidden agendas come closer to the surface. The disruption of communication between Gianna and Regina hints at a larger scheme unfolding, one that could shift the balance of power in unexpected ways.

Emotions will run high as characters grapple with trust and suspicion, and the stakes of this public showdown become clearer. Amelia’s quiet patience and strategic thinking suggest she’s far from done, while Gianna’s faltering composure may lead to revelations that shake everyone’s perceptions. The next chapter promises to delve into the complexities of rivalry, loyalty, and the cost of ambition, keeping readers on edge as the drama intensifies.

Joseph King

Joseph King is an editor and storyteller who ensures every chapter is clear, polished, and engaging for readers.