Save myself from desperation by Cara Agnes
Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Ashley watched Kevin’s design on the big screen, and her expression remained calm. She had a rough idea of what score the judges would give Kevin. Ashley turned her gaze and caught Kevin’s eyes looking her way.

Ashley was momentarily taken aback, then smiled at him.

Kevin responded with a smile. His grin was like a gentle breeze in the spring.

Soon. Kevin’s design presentation ended. The judging panel began their scoring.

After some deliberation, they awarded a score of 9.5.

Ashley saw this score and raised her eyebrows knowingly, confirming her earlier guess.

The audience visibly deflated upon seeing the score. Their expression turned sour in disappointment.

“How is it just 9.5? It’s still lower than Eric!”

“I thought Kevin’s design was so good, he might beat Eric, but if even Kevin can’t do it, then all our hopes rest on Jessica now.”

“Jessica is our last hope. She has to win one for the Zyrrinthia Team!”

Meanwhile, on the stage, Eric saw Kevin’s score of 9.5, and his face lit up with smugness. “Sorry, I win again. I thought the designers from the Zyrrinthia Team were something special. It turns out the people joining this Design Exchange Competition aren’t impressive at all.”

Kevin’s face turned sullen as he retorted, “Losing to you only reflects my shortcomings, not those of the other designers at Zyrrinthia.”

He spoke without a hint of subservience or arrogance.

However, Eric laughed mockingly. “But I’ve already beaten four of you. from Zyrrinthia, including you!”

His tone dripped with disdain for the designers of Zyrrinthia,

Kevin wanted to argue back, but the facts were undeniable. !

Hearing this, Ashley glanced indifferently towards Eric, her expression calm.

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The audience below couldn’t contain themselves anymore at this

moment.

“Damn, this Eric is so arrogant!”

“He’s a foreigner and looks down on us like that. It’s just shameful! No matter how talented he is in design, a person like that won’t succeed!”

Anyone would feel uncomfortable being looked down upon in their

country.

The Zyrrinthia Team had lost four times in a row, leaving only Jessica and Ashley’s designs yet to be showcased.

The audience’s anger and competitive spirit were ignited, all eyes turning to Jessica, pinning all their hopes for victory on her.

“Jessica, you must win!”

“Zyrrinthia designers’ reputation is in your hands!”

“Don’t worry, everyone. Jessica’s design skills are well-known to all. She’s so talented and will definitely win! She’ll beat up that Eric for sure!”

In the crowd, Frankie heard everyone’s expectations for Jessica and felt a surge of excitement in his chest, his heartbeat quickening.

He thought, Jessica… Indeed, she is the lucky star of the Ramos family!

‘If Jessica can win against Eric this time, she will surely restore the Ramos. family’s reputation and become the person of everyone’s gratitude!

“Everything about the Ramos family, including their business, will flourish by then.’

Finally, the design draft of Jessica was presented.

The audience below all looked towards the big screen with bated breath.

It was a stunning pink gown that captivated everyone’s attention. The wide skirt was adorned with flowers and vines, scattered, growing upwards as if a spring breeze had swept through an orchard, bringing thousands of blossoms to life. Its beauty was so mesmerizing that one couldn’t look away. The n*eckline was made of sheer material and. embroidered with a few pink stars.

Seeing this design that brought the essence of spring to life, the audience widened their eyes.

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“So beautiful!”

“This is so gorgeous! I wish I could wear this gown!”

“True to Jessica’s reputation! Truly a rising genius designer! To create such a unique design in just an hour!”

“She should be able to beat Eric this time, right?”

In the crowd below, Jaden glimpsed the design on the big screen and squinted. He scrutinized it from up to down and sneered.

It was clearly Attelia’s style!

Jaden was certain it was Ashley’s old design.

Jessica had indeed memorized Ashley’s design and used it in the competition!

On stage, Ashley recognized the gown at first sight. It was a sketch she had drawn casually. Jessica had deliberately learned it by heart.

However, Jessica had added something to the original design.

It was a foolish, unnecessary touch.

After the five judges reviewed Jessica’s design, one with considerable experience couldn’t help but comment.

“Jessica, I’ve seen many designers’ drafts, including those of very famous. ones. Your design reminded me of someone.”

Jessica clasped her fingers nervously while seated. Yet she smiled and asked, “What do you mean, sir?”

The judge stroked his beard and replied, “Jessica, your design style is very similar to Attelia’s.”

The moment the name Attelia was mentioned, there was a stir among the audience and the participants.

After all, Attelia is a legendary figure in the design world, and everyone. there recognized the weight of that name.

Jessica’s smile stiffened, but she managed to maintain a casual tone as she spoke.

“I admire Attelia’s designs, so it’s no surprise that my style tends to gravitate towards hers.”

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One of the judges, deep in thought, remarked, “I see… Jessica, this design. of yours is incredibly talented. I dare say it almost surpasses all the other designers present here.”

As soon as he finished his sentence, the room erupted in astonishment.

But it made sense. How else would Jessica be hailed as a rising prodigy in design? She was indeed exceptional…

Upon hearing this, Frankie puffed out his chest in pride, looking honored.

Jaden, on the other hand, wore a look of disdain. ‘Hah, she would definitely outshine the others here by stealing Attelia’s designs,’ he thought.

“However.” The judge suddenly changed his tone. “Jessica, this design of yours with pink stars on the n*eckline seems discordant. These pink stars. mar the overall perfection of the gown.”

Jessica’s face instantly stiffened at this comment.

The original design by Ashley didn’t have these stars. Jessica had added them to incorporate the element required by the competition rules. However, it unexpectedly disrupted the harmony of the entire piece…

With a sigh of regret, the judge continued, “This piece is truly wonderful, but it’s such a pity. These few stars have spoiled the whole broth. It could have been a perfect score, but now I can only give you a 9.7 point.”

At this announcement, Frankie was stunned in place..

A score of 9.7 points for Jessica and Eric scored 9.9. This meant that Jessica had lost…

Frankie had hoped to restore the prestige of the Ramos family, but now it was all for naught.

‘Damn it, how could this happen!’ He wondered.

The audience, who had been so full of expectation just moments ago, were now equally disappointed.

“No way, I had such high hopes for Jessica. Those stars, she added, were just terrible.”

“It’s over, even Jessica couldn’t beat Eric. Now, the Zyrrinthia design. world is completely outdone by the Global Team. No one can beat them.

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now.

“Look at Eric. He’s practically gloating to the heavens!”

Eric sat on the chair and smirked in mockery. “Zyrrinthia Team, I beat your whole team by myself. Now, what do you have to say?”

Kevin frowned deeply, “You’re speaking too soon. We still have one. designer’s draft yet to be revealed.”

Eric knew who Kevin was referring to. He glanced at Ashley indifferently. “A design that was sketched for less than twenty minutes before stopping. What could she possibly have created? She didn’t even complete a full draft, did she?”

The other designers of the Global Team burst into laughter upon hearing this.

The audience’s faces turned red with embarrassment and

disappointment.

“Maybe Ashley should just give up. Even if she can design, stopping after less than twenty minutes, how can she possibly outdo Eric?”

“Ashley’s draft shouldn’t be displayed. It’ll only bring more shame to our Zyrrinthia Team.”

“Exactly. Eric already looks down on us. Showing Ashley’s poor design. will only make it worse!”

“I can’t believe it! Ashley has no sense of design. Why would she participate in the competition? Is she just asking to be humiliated?”

“I didn’t expect the Zyrrinthia design community to lose to the Global. Team like this. If only Attelia were here. Things would get better.”

At that moment, Jaden stood up. His eyes narrowed as if he was looking at a group of fools. “Since it’s a competition, let’s have every designer present their designs. That would be fair, wouldn’t it?”

Jaden was the founder of Glory Youveile and vice-president of the Millein Fashion Association. The Association indeed sponsored today’s Design Exchange Competition.

So, when Jaden spoke, the designers at the venue dared not object any further.

But they weren’t enthusiastic either, looking with disdain towards.

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Ashley’s designs on the stage.