Chapter 486
When Jessica heard the news, the expression on her face could not help but freeze.
The Kavli Prize?
She knew that this prize was the highest honor in their field.
Winning this prize would elevate her to a prominent figure in the industry.
“How is this possible? Did my paper really win the prize?” Jessica was still in disbelief.
She even wondered if Karter had teamed up with everyone in the venue to play a prank on her.
“Of course it’s true! Look at the people attending the ceremony. Even if I had great abilities, I could not gather all these big shots at once. Karter replied.
So, did she really win the prize?
Jessica looked at her own photo on the big screen.
She felt like she was in a dream.
At this moment, the host had already invited Jessica to go on stage to give her acceptance speech.
“Hurry up and get on the stage. You’ll be the most charming girl here tonight!” Karter slightly pushed Jessica forward.
As she stood on the stage, she was still a bit dazed.
The host congratulated her at the side, and she could only offer her thanks passively.
When the microphone was handed to her by the host, Jessica looked at the audience, and for a moment, she seemed to be at
a loss for words.
The crowd under the stage was also waiting for her in patience and understanding.
After all, the winner this year was really too young, they understood her overwhelming reaction to such a scene.
Jessica’s gaze swept over the entire venue.
In the end, it landed on Karter.
He gave her an encouraging look, and Jessica slowly regained her composure.
Finally, she started to believe that she had won the prize.
She lowered her head, looking at the microphone in her hand, and began to speak.
“To be honest, even now, I still feel like this is a dream. I even think that at any moment, everyone in the audience will stand up excitedly and tell me it’s all a prank.”
As Jessica said this, the audience responded with kind laughter.
Her genuine self–mockery resonated with them, making it easier to connect with her.
“It’s truly unbelievable that I could receive this prize, and all of this is not due to my efforts alone.
“My tutor, my fellow team members, and all the people who supported me are the reasons I have reached this stage.”
These were cliché words of an acceptance speech.
There was nothing new about it at all, something anyone could recite after watching a few TV dramas.
And Jessica also realized that the speech sounded too formal and cliché.
Then, she fell lent for a moment.
Her thoughts were wandering during these few seconds.
By the thure she raised her head again, the expression in her gaze had changed.
“I was born in a particularly complicated red light district.
“My biological mother was a poor woman trying to improve her life by relying on men.
“Unfortunately, I was not a boy, so she could not use me to achieve her goals”
As Jessica spoke, the previously cheerful crowd grew serious, fixing their eyes on the young lady on the stage.
“It’s probably because I ruined her hope of improving her life that she never liked me.
“Throughout my childhood, I was surrounded by beatings and blame.
“The areas beyond my room were full of danger, so I preferred to lock myself in there.
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Chapter 486
“I liked hiding in narrow closets, even under the bed or the couch.
“Being in such confined spaces gave me a sense of security.
“I once thought that I would be stuck in such a life forever.
Though my heart wanted to break free from all the restraints and find a new beginning. my weakness and fear kept me trapped, never allowing me to move forward.
“In all likelihood, I would have spent my entire life like a timid coward, trapped in my room, living a pitiful and regretful
life.
“But suddenly, a beam of light appeared in my life.” Jessica’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
She could not help but tighten her grip on the microphone.
“This light was incredibly intense and it illuminated my dark world.
“It even guided me, little by little, out of the darkness that had confined me.
“Because of her, I was able to feel a bit of this world.
*The journey has been tiring and difficult.
“But every time I wanted to give up, I would think of her.
*She is the smartest, the prettiest, and the gentlest person in this world.
“She is sincere to her friends, loyal to her loved ones, and filial to her family.
“She is the lighthouse that guided me step by step to all of you.
“If it weren’t for her, there would be no me today. So, all the glory I received today is all because of her!”
Jessica’s speech moved the audience, and their eyes showed a touch of emotion.
They had always assumed that someone as young as her could achieve such success because of a privileged upbringing or strong family support.
Little did they know, Jessica had struggled to get where she was on her own feet.
Then, someone took the lead, and a round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
The smile on Jessica’s face deepened.
“Although I don’t know if she can hear these words, I still want to tell her.
“Thank you, my friend, and I will keep my promise to always be loyal to you!”
As she spoke. Jessica’s gaze was fixed on the camera in front of her.
It was as if she wanted to convey her determination to the person on the other side of the ocean.
Jessica’s speech was undoubtedly a great success.
The audience’s admiration for her continued to grow.
After all, achieving success as a person born into poverty was much more challenging than for someone with a privileged background.
This was because they did not have access to better resources or early exposure to the wider world.
People like her could succeed solely by relying on their strong willpower.
The moment Jéssica stepped down from the stage, almost everyone walked forward to surround her.
Each person showed genuine warmth, and no one mocked her background.
They sincerely congratulated her on winning the prize.
Of course, many of them were particularly curious and asked her who the person she mentioned in the speech was. Some wondered if it might be her lover.
Jessica shook her head and denied it, stating that the person was her best friend.
As Jessica was surrounded by the crowd, she had no idea that Peter had recorded her entire speech just now.
Then it was sent to Marina across the ocean.
Chapter 487