Chapter 169

Both designs were her own creation.

In her heart, Liliana still preferred the one she had originally designed.

But... what did it matter what she liked?

[Each has its own merits.]

She didn't elaborate further. Nina sensed a certain distance from her and didn't press the matter.

Liliana removed Sylvia from her block list on WhatsApp.

However, she didn't message Sylvia right away. She wanted to wait until she was calm enough to handle whatever new torment Sylvia had in store before willingly walking into the line of fire.

But the fact that she couldn't escape Sylvia hardened her resolve to demand money from Cedric without guilt.

She had endured his torment and his anger, so why should she feel embarrassed about it?

Tonight, she would ask Cedric for money.

Cyan, top-floor executive office.

Verdant Locke, the head of The AuraRun Design Contest, smiled as he gauged Douglas's expression.

"Are you sure all the competition entries are here?"

Douglas had scanned through the hundreds of submissions, but he hadn't seen Liliana's design.

His questioning gaze fell on Verdant.

Verdant's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly said without hesitation, "They're all here!"

Douglas's long, elegant fingers flew across the keyboard. He quickly pulled up Liliana's design and turned the computer screen toward Verdant.

"Contestant number three hundred fifty-six, Liliana. This is her submission."

Suddenly, Verdant's head swam.

Who on earth was this Liliana?

Zephyr Group had specifically requested she be kicked out, and now Cyan seemed to be—standing up for her?

"I need an explanation," Douglas said, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desk.

"Well, the judges felt this design lacked any standout features soit was eliminated might have missed it when I was organizing the o submissions."

Verdant tried to bluff his way through, avoiding a direct answer.

mark

Douglas's expression was grim. "It's true it has no standout features, but among these submissions her work is easily in the upper n middle der She should have advanced."

"Mr. Sewell, these are the judges' decisions. Let's not interfere, shall we? They are, after all, the professionals..."

The judges for The AuraRun Design Contest were renowned designers from both home and abroad.

The sponsors also sent their own representatives to serve as nominal judges.

Verdant was trying to shift the blame to the judges, refusing to admit his own manipulation.

But before he could finish, Douglas opened the drawer on his right, took out a small card, and placed it in front of him.

"If I weren't sitting in this office today, I would be a judge for AuraRun. Are you questioning my professionalism?"

The card was an official invitation from The AuraRun Design Contest.

They had invited him to be a judge.

Unfortunately, he had returned to the country and was now in charge of Cyan, so he had declined.

Verdant's face changed dramatically. He had no idea Douglas had achieved so much during his two years abroad.

"Mr. Sewell, this... you see, there might have been some kind of mix-up. I'll go back and-"

"I have only one request: let her go through the proper process. Whether she stays or goes is up to the judges."

Douglas knew how rigorous the

competition was. The judges certainly wouldn't have cheated meant Liliana's design had never

even reached them.

fo

Cold sweat beaded on Verdant's forehead as he weighed his options. On one side

was Cedric, on the other, Douglas.

He couldn't afford to offend either of them.

"How much did Zephyr Group invest?" Douglas asked.

"The same as you."

Originally, the contest was short a significant amount in sponsorship funds, and Verdant had been stressed about it.

Then, unexpectedly, both Zephyr Group and the Sewell Group had come forward and covered the remaining costs, leaving him overjoyed.

And now this-

Douglas's eyes were dark. He asked again, "Who is the representative from Zephyr Group?"