The National Auditorium was drenched in bright lights, national flags, and a thick air of anticipation. Media crews buzzed around like flies to sugar, mics pointed, cameras rolling. Representatives from major food companies sat elegantly behind their podiums, each wearing their company crest like a badge of war.
Zoey stood backstage, hands slightly trembling as she glanced into the massive auditorium. Her deep emerald blazer matched her eyes, and the low murmur of the crowd sounded like waves before a storm. "It's just a debate," she whispered to herself. "But girl, don't flop."
A staff usher called out, "Round one on deck!"
The lights dimmed slightly and flared on the stage.
Round One: Xiami Group of Companies vs Kalad Foods
The motion was, "The food industry is a major environmental influence on the citizens of a country." Xiami went for the motion. Kalad? Against.
Their reps were crisp, confident, with sharp points and velvet voices. They threw stats and sizzling one-liners like trained assassins. Kalad's rep, a woman named Emmanuella, smiled sweetly as she said, "Environmental impact? If anything, it's lifestyle choices that matter—not the seasoning packet in your noodles."
The crowd chuckled. But Xiami's rep, Lisa, wasn't backing down.
Lisa leaned forward, smooth and dangerous. "And what, Emmanuella? Should we start blaming the air when the meat's processed like it's built in a lab?"
The audience gasped. Even the judges leaned in.
One hour. Flawless delivery. No clear winner ,but the tension was rising.
Round Two: McKrapper vs Kandys
Now Zoey's heart kicked in. She was repping McKrapper. Her opponent? Dre. The boy she had befriended two weeks ago at the welcome mixer. Tall with a sly grin that had trouble written all over it.
The motion: "When the food industry is mismanaged, consumers' lives are endangered."
She stepped up. Poised. Confident. "Let's not act like the food industry is your sweet neighbor baking cookies. Mismanagement leads to poison on a plate." Her voice cut like steel.
Dre smirked. "And yet, Zoey," he said, letting her name roll off his tongue like honey, "We're all still alive. Maybe the industry isn't perfect,but neither are the consumers."
"Deflection isn't a defense," Zoey snapped. "Just like labeling a bag 'healthy' doesn't stop it from being junk."
The audience loved it. The judges scribbled away.
And then came the moment.
Dre leaned in, lowering his mic, looking straight into Zoey's eyes. "You're cute when you're mad, Zoey. But facts over feelings, remember that."
Oh hell no.
Zoey didn't flinch. "Then prepare to catch these facts… in high heels and higher IQ."
The crowd erupted. One judge even let out a stunned laugh.
Round Three: Sanchez Foods vs Onyix Pelix Edibles
Lars and Serena entered the battlefield.
The motion: "The food industry can't be the panacea to national development."
Now this one? This one was war in heels and oxfords.
Serena was radiant and relentless. "The food industry feeds the people, and fed people think better, work better, live better. Development starts in the stomach."
Lars rolled his eyes. "And ends in the hospital, apparently. The food industry is an add-on, not a backbone."
They went blow for blow—data, sarcasm, critiques sharp as knives. At one point, Serena hissed, "If half as much energy was spent on innovation as on your outdated models, maybe Sanchez would be more than edible mediocrity."
"Oop," someone in the crowd whispered.
Lars clapped back, "And Onyix wouldn't be selling 'gluten-free water' as innovation."
Tension. Applause. Whispers.
Then it ended. The judges remained unreadable, nodding as the lights dimmed for the final round: The Group Task.
Group Showdown: Two Heads, One Vision
By 6 PM, the contestants were back onstage, this time in their groups.
Group 1: Xiami, McKrapper, Onyix
Group 2: Sanchez, Kandys, Kalad
The brief: Develop a collaborative food-based innovation that solves consumer needs and promotes national advancement.
Zoey's team went first.
Lisa, Zoey, and Lars unveiled NutriScope—a smart machine that scanned product batches in real-time, filtered allergens, monitored spoilage levels, and integrated QR codes on packaging that linked directly to a digital ingredient map, nutritional facts, and allergy risks. "Information is power," Zoey declared. "And we're handing it to the people."
Applause echoed. The concept was sharp.
Then Serena De-Aguas ' team took the mic.
They introduced PersonaPlates™, a line of customizable food packages built around individual allergy profiles and dietary needs. Plus, a clone version of the NutriScope, but named ScanBuddy™.
Emmanuella spoke last. "Inclusion isn't optional. And neither is accountability."
The judges exchanged looks. The tension was thick, and the finale? Set for Monday.
Afterparty at the IPR House
Later that night, the IPR House was lit up in neon. Music pumped, drinks flowed, and laughter filled the open-air lounge. Reps got their mini trophies, cash prizes, and cheek kisses from sponsors.
Zoey stood near the balcony, sipping on fruit punch.
Dre approached, slow, smirking. "So, Miss High Heels and High IQ… Want to dance?"
She raised a brow, "And risk stepping on your ego?"
He laughed. "That's fair. But you looked fire out there."
Zoey looked him up and down, lingering at his mouth. "You weren't too bad yourself. For a walking contradiction."
"Ohhh, so you admit I got you thinking."
"Not thinking. Plotting."
They both laughed, but the air between them sizzled.
Meanwhile, Lars and Serena sat on opposite ends of the room, refusing to even look each other's way.
Serena whispered to Zoey later, "If that man speaks to me on Monday, I swear I'll launch a cupcake at his head."
Zoey smirked, "Make it gluten-free."
To Be Continued…
Monday: The Final Verdict.