Chapter 1926

She'd asked Tyler about it, too, but he just shrugged and swore he didn't have a clue.

If even Tyler was in the dark, then this whole thing was seriously weird.

"If you don't want to talk about it, fine." Jane took a steadying breath and shifted her attention to the competition stage. "Right now, Team M is way ahead of the other four teams. They don't even look nervous-like they already know exactly what every question's going to be. And somehow, they always buzz in first, every single time."

Fiona had noticed it, too. But she could tell those Team M contestants really were talented.

International Glam had been around for over a decade, rising from total obscurity to being the hottest name in the industry, but even so, it was tough to compete with these veteran designers.

Plus, Country M was famous for its design schools. These people just understood design concepts and theory on a whole different level.

"You're up next round," Fiona said.

Jane blinked in surprise. The next round was the design blueprint challenge.

"I thought I was on for round three?" she asked, confused.

"You'll go in for round two. I'll handle round three-❞ Fiona started, but didn't finish. Suddenly, two of their teammates doubled over, clutching their stomachs, faces pale as paper, and bolted off the stage like their lives depended on it.

Fiona immediately sensed something was off. She turned to Jean. "What happened?"

"I don't know. They seemed off as soon as they left their rooms," Jean said honestly.

"She's not feeling well, too?" Fiona nodded toward another teammate still up on stage. Jean nodded back, and Fiona jumped right in, "What did you all have for breakfast?"

"Nothing weird. Just breakfast at the restaurant the organizers set up. Then we came straight here."

Jane nodded along. "Yeah, when I went to get them in their rooms, the other three had already gone to the restaurant. Only Jean and I skipped breakfast because we didn't have time. Do you think something was wrong with the food?"

Jane frowned. But the organizers' food should've been safe, right?

"When we finished, there were tons of people leaving the restaurant, so it can't be just us," Jean added.

Fiona nodded. It really didn't seem like the organizers would pull something shady.

"Did you eat or drink anything else before breakfast?" Fiona pressed.

"Nope. We didn't even have time for water."

This was getting stranger by the second.

While Fiona tried to puzzle it out, the two sick contestants came back from the restroom, still looking miserable.

"Mr. Connor, we're so sorry. We think it's just a bit of an upset stomach," one of them apologized weakly.

Fiona barely acknowledged the apology and kept her tone calm. "Let me see your hands."

They held them out obediently.

Fiona pressed her fingers to their wrists, feeling for their pulses. Weak and thready. Definitely not normal.

"When the round's over, come to my room-I have medicine for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Connor."

Fiona still had no idea what was

really

Wing on, but she decided t

bet

wait until after the competition to e it out. Content belong

Meanwhile, the cameras caught everything, and Team M nearly burst out laughing.

"Are you serious? Austenberg people

are hilarious. She's checking

pulse by hand-does she the one's

some kind of miracle doctor?"

"Guess they really believe in that old-school stuff."

ét

And all over the global livestream, the chat exploded with shocked and confused reactions from Austenberg fans wondering what on earth Fiona was doing.