Immediately, the room erupted into lively discussions. Khalid was recognized not only for his craftsmanship but also for his significant influence in the industry. His family’s ownership of valuable gemstone mines provided them with a strong financial foundation.

However, Khalid was more focused on mastering diverse jewelry techniques, particularly those that had nearly been forgotten by various cultures. He dedicated himself to restoring these traditional methods and breaking through cultural barriers. As a result, he had earned great respect from royal families across many countries. His credentials were unmatched by any ordinary designer, making his role as head judge for today’s event well deserved.

Despite his youth, Khalid was rarely seen in public. Today marked his unprecedented appearance on camera. Previously, he had been almost mythical; few knew him by name, and even fewer were familiar with his face or personal history. Contrary to the common belief that Khalid was older, he appeared to be in his early twenties, surprising everyone.

Ashlyn covered her mouth with her hand, staring at Katelyn in disbelief. “So that’s Khalid, my idol!” she exclaimed.

Her admiration for Khalid had always been quiet, but amidst the troubles with the Marshall family, she had momentarily forgotten about him. Seeing him now filled Ashlyn with awe.

Suddenly, a thought struck Ashlyn, and she eagerly turned to Katelyn, asking, “You know him, don’t you?”

Katelyn nodded and said, “Yes, I do know him.”

Overcome with excitement, Ashlyn grabbed Katelyn’s hand, shaking it eagerly. “Please, could you introduce me? I’ve always looked up to him.” Ashlyn’s enthusiasm was rare, prompting Katelyn to smile and respond, “Sure, I’ll introduce you when the chance arises.”

Ashlyn’s joy intensified at the prospect.

Fiona, catching wind of their conversation, couldn’t resist chiming in with a sneer. “Daydreaming already? Do you really think someone like you can just meet Mr. Scott?”

She recalled that Ryanna had mentioned Khalid before. The King had even used his connections to bring Khalid here. Katelyn didn’t believe someone as insignificant as her could ever have a connection with Khalid.

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Ashlyn, overhearing Fiona’s scoff, rolled her eyes and said, “Jealous already? Keep quiet. Remember, I have the record.” Her warning was clear and intentional, making Fiona fall silent immediately.

Katelyn shook her head and softly laughed at their exchange.

At this point, the applause gradually faded.

Ryanna gave Khalid a respectful nod. “Mr. Scott.”

Khalid responded with a brief acknowledgment, “Princess Ryanna.” Their exchange was standard, a mere greeting.

Annie bristled at Khalid’s detached tone and was about to scold him, but Ryanna quickly dissuaded her with a subtle gesture.

With a confused look toward Ryanna, who responded with a discreet shake of her head, Annie bit her tongue, holding back her words. Inside, she fumed with anger. No matter how skilled Khalid was, he was still just a commoner. How could he ever compare to the esteemed Princess Ryanna? To make matters worse, he carried himself with overwhelming arrogance.

Yet, this interaction went unnoticed by the broader audience. After seating himself, Khalid casually took a sip of water and glanced toward Katelyn in the audience. Their eyes met briefly, sharing a subtle exchange of knowing smiles.

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