As the live event kicked off, the official team streamed it online. Jewelry competitions usually didn’t draw large audiences, but the buzz surrounding Katelyn had sparked increased interest. Curiosity about Katelyn’s involvement attracted many viewers, who, finding themselves at a jewelry design contest, decided to stay. Within just ten minutes, the stream had pulled in an impressive one hundred thousand viewers, a testament to Katelyn’s widespread influence. Audience members murmured their opinions on the pieces as judges posted their scores.
Zandra checked the scores and said, “Eight point five. Congratulations to designer Aniya Pierce.”
She then glanced at her cue card and added, “Next up is a piece from designer Lise Bailey of the Bailey Group. Let’s give her a warm welcome.”
At that moment, Lise’s nerves were on edge. Banking heavily on her design that evening, she instinctively sought out Neil, only to find his attention entirely fixed on Katelyn. Jealousy and bitterness swelled within her.
Caught off guard, Katelyn noticed Lise had also submitted a design. Catching Lise’s eye, Katelyn was met with a defiant stare.
Lise snapped, “What are you staring at?”
She saw Katelyn as nothing more than a flirt, competing for Neil’s attention. Lise believed that Katelyn, despite her fame, was bound to fall from grace eventually.
Katelyn briefly met Lise’s gaze before dismissing her with a casual turn away.
Ruby, on the other hand, gave a slight chuckle.
“You design as well?” she asked, her tone dripping with sneer.
Lise’s temper flared at Ruby’s taunt, but she composed herself and replied sharply, “Yes.”
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Lise had initially hoped Ruby would make things difficult for Katelyn. However, Ruby had not addressed Katelyn at all, focusing her critiques solely on Lise.
As the judges began to announce their scores, tension mounted. Zandra said, “Designer Lise Bailey scores a nine-point-four.”
A buzz swept through the crowd at the announcement. Lise felt a wave of relief wash over her.
“Nine-point-four!” The score resonated throughout the venue. Many people looked at her with envy, murmuring, “Wow, that’s the highest score so far!”
Others asked with curiosity, “Has she designed before? I’ve never heard of her. Can she really be that talented?”
“Who knows? I always thought she couldn’t hold a candle to Katelyn, given her lack of strength. But now, it seems the tables might be turning.”
Amidst the whispers, a surge of joy filled Lise. She had never experienced such widespread acclaim before. Her success in design today clearly earned her recognition.
As the applause rang out, Ruby sneered, “You’re satisfied with a nine-point-four? Just wait, the scores are bound to climb.”
After only the second entry, why the pride? It seemed she wasn’t meant for the spotlight.
Hearing that, Lise felt a surge of anger. She inhaled deeply, attempting to suppress her mounting fury, but her anger only grew stronger. She turned to Ruby and murmured curtly, “Miss Lopez, I can’t recall having offended you. Why do you insist on belittling me?” She struggled to keep her composure. If she were facing Katelyn, a confrontation would have already erupted.
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