Chapter 50: I Must Get You Into the Olympic Team

At 3:30, BBC TV staff finally arrived, along with many reporters who got wind of the event. However, with the chaotic scene, starting precisely at 4:00 seemed unlikely.

Diana Rigg also arrived at this time, wearing a Chanel women's blazer she bought while shopping with William. She looked sharp and professional, her wavy blonde hair flowing, and her blouse buttons strained across her chest.

Smiling, Diana Rigg walked up to William and gave him a hug, even kissing his cheek amidst the crowd's cheers.

The reporters, disappointed by just a cheek kiss, jeered for Diana Rigg to kiss William on the lips. However, Diana, knowing the impact of public perception, refrained, especially since she and William were not officially a couple yet. As a media professional, she knew better.

William, having heard Arthur Cain's words yesterday, was currently not daring to have a girlfriend. Having his mother as a vulnerability was troublesome enough, and he had no energy or capacity for another potential source of blackmail.

Just before 4:00, when BBC's live broadcast equipment was finally set up, Diana Rigg took the microphone and started the broadcast.

"Hello, viewers. I'm Diana Rigg, a frontline reporter for BBC TV. We are now at the Olympic Archery Hall. Beside me is Mr. William Devonshire, who will fulfill a promise he made a few days ago. He will attempt the impossible task of shooting a 70-meter target with a bow while blindfolded and hitting the bullseye.

Now, let's ask Mr. William Devonshire, William, do you have confidence in today's challenge?"

"Of course, I'm confident in my archery skills. Talking won't prove anything; let's see the results."

Diana Rigg turned to the camera, "Indeed, words are unnecessary now. Facts will speak for themselves. Thank you, Mr. Devonshire. We'll give our challenger some time to prepare. William, good luck."

William smiled at the camera and went to prepare, knowing that saying anything more would be useless and might even make the audience think he was bragging.

After sending off William, Diana Rigg addressed the camera again, "Today, we have with us Mr. Smith Brown, the head coach of the England archery team."

The camera panned to Smith Brown, who stepped forward to join Diana Rigg.

"Hello, Diana. Hello, everyone. I'm Smith Brown, the head coach of the England archery team."

Diana Rigg held the microphone and asked, "Hello, Mr. Brown. We're delighted you accepted our invitation to be a special guest today. Do you think William will succeed in today's challenge?"

Smith Brown thought for a moment and carefully said, "If it were anyone else, I would say it's impossible. But since it's William Devonshire, the heartthrob of all English girls, I can only say anything is possible, though I think the chances are slim. But since it's William Devonshire, I wouldn't dare say anything bad about him. Otherwise, my two adorable angels at home might not let me in the house tonight." Smith Brown finished with a humorous shrug, eliciting laughter from both the live audience and TV viewers, who didn't expect the usually serious 50-year-old coach to be so humorous.

Diana Rigg smiled at the camera, "Alright, to the two little angels of the Brown family, we're talking about normal circumstances, excluding William. Don't keep Mr. Smith out of the house."

She then directed the microphone back to Smith Brown.

Smiling, Smith Brown explained to the camera, "Under normal circumstances, without equipment, our eyes can't clearly see the bullseye of a 70-meter target. At that distance, the bullseye is as small as the tip of a thumbtack held at arm's length, or even smaller. So, in archery, our eyes are not used to see the bullseye clearly but to aim. I don't know how William will aim with his eyes closed, but since he's William Devonshire, anything is possible. Let's wait and see."

Diana Rigg then asked, "Mr. Brown, if William really manages to do what he claims, do you think he could qualify for the XN Olympic Games?"

Smith Brown's expression became serious. "Today's test is at a 70-meter distance, the same as the Olympic archery distance. If he achieves a good score, I think he could come to our archery team for a formal test if he wants to participate in the Olympics. We welcome all skilled Englishmen to try out. Archery is a sport where everything depends on performance. If he gets good results, I would definitely recommend him for the Olympic team."

"Thank you, Smith Brown, for your explanation. The staff is signaling that William is ready. Let's turn the camera to William," Diana Rigg said.

The camera focused on William, then zoomed in on the 70-meter distant target. There were five targets in the distance, and William would shoot three arrows at each target in two rounds for a total of 30 arrows.

Watching William draw his bow, Diana Rigg felt nervous. Now, she was probably the one hoping the most for William's success. If he failed, it would damage his reputation, but as long as his performance wasn't too terrible, it wouldn't affect him much. However, for Diana Rigg, it would be significant. William's success would boost her fame, while his failure would bring her down, so she prayed fervently for William to hit the bullseye with his first shot.

And it seemed that her prayers were heard. William's first arrow hit the bullseye of the first target with a crisp sound.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Diana Rigg shouted excitedly as she saw the arrow hit the bullseye on the screen.

The audience and reporters also exclaimed in surprise, amazed that William was not boasting.

William continued to shoot, and each arrow hit the bullseye, not a single one missing the ten-ring zone.

Smith Brown was astounded as William released 15 consecutive arrows, all hitting the center of the ten-ring zone. This was unbelievable. Such a score would break the Olympic record.

As an experienced coach, Smith Brown knew no one who could shoot 15 consecutive arrows with a 64-pound bow and hit the bullseye every time, and William did it effortlessly. Smith Brown marveled at William Devonshire's arm strength and wondered about his training regimen. In actual combat, his power would be even more formidable. He had to get William into the archery team. With him, they might even win team medals, maybe even gold.

Smith Brown imagined leading the England archery team to break South Korea's dominance and win two Olympic gold medals, bringing fame and fortune his way.

Determined, Smith Brown decided he had to get William Devonshire into the Olympic team. Even if William was reluctant, he would use the media to pressure him into joining. He was done with his current tough life and ready for a change.

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