PART 2 — One Badge Silenced the Entire Backstage.
Carter calmly removed her athlete credential and handed it to the security officer.
The officer studied the badge for a moment.
Then she slowly looked back up, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"You're today's final lifter?"
Carter answered with nothing more than a confident smile and a firm nod.
The security officer immediately stepped aside.
Around them, the laughter disappeared.
The same athletes who had mocked her only moments earlier stood frozen, unsure of what to say.
Just then, the arena announcer's voice echoed through the packed venue.
"Now approaching the platform, Carter..."
Thunderous applause rolled through the building.
Carter removed her camouflage jacket, revealing a professional weightlifting singlet stretched over a powerful, well-trained physique.
She tightened her thick leather lifting belt.
Then she clapped her chalk-covered hands together, sending a cloud of white magnesium into the air.
Without hesitation...
She walked toward the platform.
Her expression never changed.
Her eyes locked onto the heavily loaded barbell waiting under the bright arena lights.
May you like
The crowd watched in complete anticipation.
The next few moments would decide everything.
