Chapter 13
Chapter 13:
Suddenly, an event organizer hurried forward in a wave of distress.
The event was on the brink of commencing, yet chaos swirled at its core. Did they not care if it was delayed?
“Mr. Morris, I am terribly sorry! My defiant daughter has taken JE’s seat, and I’m attempting to coax her out of it.”
“What?” Layne Morris turned his gaze to Janice. “Aren’t you JE?”
“What? She’s JE?” Laurie and Delilah exclaimed simultaneously, their expressions etched with shock.
Janice tipped off Layne discreetly.
Seizing the cue, Layne quickly added, “Aren’t you JE’s friend, Miss Edwards?”
This eased Laurie and Delilah’s tension.
“Oh, I thought she was actually JE. Turns out she’s just a friend of hers,” Laurie remarked, a hint of mockery in her voice. “Even so, being her friend doesn’t grant you the right to take this seat.”
With a serene smile, Janice glanced at Layne, her tone steady. “Do you think I have the right to sit here?”
Layne’s sharp instincts kicked in as he sensed the subtle undertone in Janice’s remark. “Absolutely! I was just informed that JE encountered a last-minute issue and couldn’t attend, so she requested you to represent her.”
“How could that be?” Delilah interjected, her voice laced with incredulity. “Mr. Morris, could there be some mistake?” She had been eager to win JE’s favor, viewing it as a critical stepping stone for her ambitions.
Yet, the reality that not only JE was absent, but had sent Janice in her stead, seemed like a harsh setback.
“Delilah, I can already tell what’s on your mind,” Janice remarked, casting a frosty smile her way. “Even if JE were here, you wouldn’t capture her attention. You’re merely someone who lacks any real grasp of design. Just play the naive card and rely on the Edwards family to support you.”
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“Janice, how can you say such things about me?” Delilah’s eyes welled up with tears, and she clung to Laurie, her voice brimming with hurt. “I’ve poured my heart into today’s competition, and Mom has witnessed everything.”
“Indeed!” Laurie quickly added, his words dripping with insincerity. “I don’t know how you managed to connect with JE, but don’t think for a second you can just hitch a ride on her reputation. This competition is equitable, righteous, and transparent. Delilah will stand out on her own merits, and your accusations are completely unfounded.”
“Is that so?” Janice retorted with a smirk, gracefully seating herself and addressing Layne. “Alright then, let’s not waste any more time. I’m quite intrigued to see the marvels you will display.”
With that, the competition began in full swing. The competition’s theme was “Nobility,” challenging participants to create garments that evoked this grand concept. Each designer took their turn on stage, proudly showcasing their creations and sharing their visions.
Many of the entries drew heavily on the aristocratic styles from the previous century.
Throughout the presentations, Janice remained a silent observer, her face betraying no emotion.
Her serenity was rooted in the realization that the competitors were mediocre at best; their designs were visually pleasing yet lacked depth.
A sigh escaped her lips. Having stepped away from the fashion scene for years, she returned to find it stagnant, if not regressed.
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