Chapter 515
515
“Get lost!”
Wendy was beyond words at this point. She shot her brother a desperate look. “Simon! Do something! He’s driving me crazy!”
Simon turned to Benjamin. “Why are you still bothering my sister? Didn’t you say she wasn’t your type? That even if someone gave her to you, you wouldn’t take her?”
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Benjamin immediately regretted ever saying that. He threw his arm around Simon and leaned his head against his shoulder like a clingy child.
“Bro, don’t be so mean! Yeah, I said she wasn’t my type… but what I meant to say was–she’s my sweet tooth! My cotton candy! I can’t go a day without her!”
Simon: “..
Wendy: “…”
Both siblings were thoroughly grossed out by Benjamin’s over–the–top behavior.
“Cotton candy? Are you saying you want to eat my sister?” Simon asked, frowning deeper.
Benjamin’s metaphors were spiraling into chaos. Wendy was so fed up she reached out and grabbed him by the neck, practically ready to strangle him on the spot.
She must have used too much force, because Benjamin rolled his eyes dramatically and slumped onto her shoulder.
“Hey! Are you okay?”
Wendy shook him, a little panicked. “Simon, is he actually hurt?”
Simon saw through Benjamin’s act immediately. “Relax. I can wake him up with a good punch to the face.”
Just hearing that, Benjamin instantly came back to life. “Pudding, I’m fine!”
“You liar! You jerk!”
Wendy tried to hit him again, but Benjamin caught her hand. The two of them were like classic bickering lovers–annoying, but oddly in sync.
“All right, the show’s starting. Cut it out,” Simon reminded them.
Only then did they calm down, although Benjamin still refused to let go of Wendy’s hand. She couldn’t shake him off, so she gave up and let it be.
Onstage, the runway show was well underway. Backstage, all the designers were busy with last–minute preparations.
Sebastian and James Zinnia were in the dressing room with Caitlin She was nearly done, working on the final touches of her presentation.
They could see the other designers‘ showcases on the screen. Each collection had its own flair, and the creativity on display was refreshing.
Zora’s show was coming up soon. Backstage, Ximena had arrived to help her daughter.
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Looking at the XEG models, Ximena asked, “Zors, isn’t your design a bit too heavy’s really different from XEG’s usual aesthetic
“Mom, that’s the whole poim Everyone knows XFG’Crypical style, so I had to flip expectations for this competition Just wait and see–I’m going to blow everyone away
Zora was full of confidence Ximena didn’t push the topic Any forther
Each show had a slot of about twenty minutes.
Then came TIG’s designer, Justin, who walked out with his collection.
His theme was “The Four Seasons, using color palettes and flowing visuals to evoke the passage of time. His designs were polished, artistic, and emotionally evocative. The judges were clearly impressed, and the audience responded with thunderous applause
After the show, Justin returned backstage, eyes misty with emotion, and ran up to Caitlin.
“Caitlin‘ I did it Thank you, thank you so much for giving me this chance!”
After his designs were stolen months ago. Justin had fallen into a dark place. Caitlin had pulled him out of it, helped him refocus, and even encouraged him to compete. She’d helped him choose the concept and regain his confidence.
“There’s no need to thank me. Your success is your own. You worked hard for this. I believe in you, Justin–keep going.”
Caitlin didn’t just guide talent–she inspired it. That kind of quiet leadership was what made people rally behind her.
will. Caitlin! I promise!”
Justin had made up his mind. From now on, he would dedicate himself fully to TIG’s future
Finally, it was time for XLG’s presentation. As the name was called, Zora gave the signal for the models to begin.
Sure enough the moment XEG’s models stepped onto the runway, they turned heads.
Zawas designs were opulent and elegant, regal yet poised. The tall hairdos, jeweled neckpieces, and intricate gold embroidery on every piece spoke of royal luxury
The photographers couldn’t stop snapping pictures. All eyes were on her models. Zora wood backstage, glowing with
Sararlarwel fans collection was so impressive that no one afterward would be able to top her.
Sipurtunately her confidence turned out to be premature
Theight design we grand and ornate, they lacked away practicality. The heavy layers weighed dowry the awatels making movere awkward insirad id regal rigatse of a bulky and suff
ne noudet fight caught in the pipe detailing sedly seeing her to trips. Thigh she recovered spitskly, the
Zara panicked backstage Tho was posthing she said she w
How did us hapjen
She was furious Amene tried to calm her down
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“Mishaps happen. It’s normal during a show. It wasn’t even a big deal. Don’t worry.”
“Mom, how can I not worry? This is my showdown with Caitlin. I can’t lose to her!”
Seeing her daughter’s stubbornness, Ximena chose to say no more. It was better to wait and see how the results turned out.
Once the runway presentation ended, the models returned to the dressing room. Zora stormed in, targeting the model who’d stumbled.
“What the hell was that? Do you know how badly you just messed up my show?”
“I’m sorry, Ximena. I didn’t mean to. But the design of the dress made it—”
Before the model could finish, Zora slapped her across the face.
Smack!
The model’s head snapped to the side. Zora snapped. “Don’t blame my design! Everyone else managed just fine. You’re the only one who messed up! Be honest–did Caitlin pay you off to sabotage me?”
“I didn’t…”
Zora raised her hand to slap again, but this time, a large hand caught her wrist just in time.
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