Chapter 306
Somehow, the design whispered that even the lowliest moments still held room for dreams among the stars. Who in this world could ever deserve such a work of art?
Every corner of the hall was hushed, the kind of quiet where even the softest sound seemed thunderous. Moments stretched on before the audience began to stir, their gazes fixed on the screen, unwilling to look away even for a heartbeat.
“It’s stunning!”
“I’ve never seen anything like this gown—it’s sheer perfection! I had no idea Noelle had such talent!”
“She created this brilliance in under twenty minutes? She’s surpassed everyone else here!”
“And she used the spilled water as inspiration? That’s pure genius!”
Praises poured from the same lips that had mocked her minutes earlier; now they sounded enchanted, fully swept away by Noelle’s artistry. Eric’s confidence dissolved, replaced by disbelief and growing dread. He had counted Noelle out, only to watch her deliver a design worthy of standing with legends—worthy even of Rhoda’s reputation.
There was no hesitation among the judges. All five raised their cards high, unanimous in their admiration.
𝗕𝘦 𝗍𝘩е 𝗳𝗂𝗿𝗌𝘁 𝗍о 𝗋𝖾𝘢d 𝘰ո 𝗀𝗮𝘭𝗇o𝘷𝖾𝗅𝗌.𝗰оm
Ten points! Ten points! Ten points…
Every judge had given the highest score possible.
Willa’s eyes locked onto the judges’ raised cards in disbelief, her fingers twisting into the folds of her dress. She had sabotaged Noelle’s design, deliberately drenching the draft with water. Yet here Noelle was, topping the chart.
Rage quaked through her limbs. How was it that Noelle—always Noelle—continued to outshine her in everything?
A reporter in the crowd, thrilled by the results, sprang to his feet and shouted, “Ten points! Noelle just surpassed Eric’s score! She beat him! The Cushouwana team has triumphed over the foreign team!”
The foreign designers, who had smugly celebrated Eric’s win before the results were even in, now stood frozen—each expression twisted in disbelief, as if reality had just smacked them square across the face. Embarrassment clung to them like heat.
In the seats below, a murmur of vindication rippled through the local designers who had long endured Eric’s contempt.
“Unbelievable! Noelle just wiped the floor with Eric. Remember how smug he was? Who’s laughing now?”
“I thought Willa was our last hope, but Noelle’s the real deal!”
“I’ve seriously misjudged Noelle… All this time, we called Willa a rising star in the fashion world, but Noelle? She’s the real prodigy!”
From his place in the audience, Maxton’s expression twisted. His breath came heavy; his composure cracked. Watching Noelle bask in praise made his skin crawl. He had pinned all his hopes on Willa, counting on her to restore the Moss family’s prestige. But instead, Noelle had taken center stage again.
According to the rules, after Eric’s defeat, the next foreign designer would step up to challenge Noelle.
But once the second designer’s piece was revealed, it became immediately obvious that it didn’t even measure up to Eric’s, let alone stand a chance against Noelle’s.
Noelle lounged with ease, drumming her fingers lightly on the armrest. Her voice was smooth and indifferent, lips curled in a sly grin. “Next.”
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