Chapter 519
apter 519
519
“What else can I do? The moment we made that bet, you must’ve already started pulling strings, right? Using your identity as Kayla–don’t tell me you don’t know the judges today? Are you seriously claiming you didn’t grease any wheels?”
Zora’s petty accusations finally crossed the line, and even Justin couldn’t stay quiet anymore.
He and Caitlin had poured their hearts into this competition. It was exhausting enough to prepare, and now someone was accusing them of cheating?
Many in the audience started to feel Zora was being unreasonable.
Wendy and Molly exchanged looks–what was wrong with this woman? She lost. Fair and square. Why couldn’t she just admit it?
Sebastian had heard enough. Zora’s constant attacks on Caitlin were clearly coming from a place of bitterness. He whispered to Tyler to bring someone in–someone who would end this nonsense once and for all.
On stage, Caitlin stood her ground. “Please don’t project your own tactics onto others. I, just like you, had no idea who the udges would be until today. And the final score wasn’t based on who I am–it was based on the work itself.”
She looked Zora directly in the eye.
‘You know exactly where your design fell short. Throwing together a pile of so–called cultural symbols isn’t design. Real design is more than a visual spectacle. It’s the continuation of aesthetic legacy. Did your work achieve that?”
The host had no idea how to steer the conversation back on track. The verbal sparring between Caitlin and Zora had turned his award show into something far more dramatic. The media loved it–cameras clicked nonstop.
Zora sneered. “Don’t lecture me about aesthetics and design. I *know* exactly what those mean!”
‘Of course you do. After all, your mentor is the internationally renowned designer, Mr. Siegburg, correct?” Caitlin smiled coolly. “If he were here right now, would his opinion be worth hearing?”
‘Of course it would!” Zora snapped. “But he wasn’t even invited to this competition.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than a stir rippled through the crowd.
Someone gasped. “That’s Master Siegburg!”
“Oh my god–it’s really him!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement as a long–haired man with a silver ponytail walked onto the stage, flanked by assistants. He stepped up from the side and headed straight for them.
“Professor?” Zora’s voice trembled. She looked stunned.
She hurried toward him and hugged him tightly. “What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were coming to the US!”
Siegburg gave her a warm smile. “It’s been a while, Zora.”
“I was invited to serve as one of the guest judges for today’s competition. Unfortunately, I fell ill after landing and couldn’t attend the formal judging.
“However, I watched everything from the guest lounge backstage. And I have to say, I fully agree with the decisions made by the panel today.
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“Don’t obsess over the rankings, child. You’ve always been my most outstanding student.”
His tone was gentle, like that of a father speaking to a beloved daughter. He didn’t want her to lose herself just because of a single loss.
To him, Zora had already done well. One competition didn’t define her worth.
That was the final blow. Zora’s walls crumbled.
“Professor…” she choked out, tears spilling down her face.
She had her reasons for fighting so hard for the win–reasons she could never admit out loud. But now that her mentor had spoken, confirming the results, there was no path left for her to overturn them.
Caitlin’s voice came again, sharp and unapologetic.
“Miss Harris. Your mentor has just affirmed that the judging was fair. Do you still have something to say? ”
Zora clenched her jaw. “Fine. You win. Professor, let’s go.”
Wiping her tears, she turned to leave with Siegburg–but Caitlin called out.
“Hold on, Miss Harris! ”
Everyone turned to look.
“You seem to be forgetting something–our bet.”
Caitlin wasn’t about to let this slide. Rules were rules. Consequences had to be owned.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Zora said, feigning confusion. “I don’t remember any bet.”
“Oh? Well, let me remind you.”
Caitlin pulled out her phone and played a recording for the entire venue to hear.
It was Zora’s voice, brimming with confidence, challenging Caitlin to face her in the competition–and vowing that whoever lost would permanently leave the design industry.
The crowd erupted in shocked gasps. No one had expected *this* twist.
So that’s why Zora had been so desperate to win.
She wasn’t just losing a title–she was about to lose her entire career.
“You all heard it,” Caitlin said firmly. “If you’re bold enough to make a bet, then be bold enough to honor it.”
Zora didn’t speak. She just glared at Caitlin with seething rage.
Down below , Ximena didn’t stop her daughter this time. Deep down, she knew this was necessary. Zora’s ego had grown unchecked for too long. Maybe a blow like this was what she needed to finally mature.
“Own your loss!”
Someone in the crowd shouted it. Others joined in.
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“Own your loss!”
“Honor the bet!”
The chants grew louder, echoing through the exhibition hall.
Cornered, Zora had nowhere to run. Caitlin didn’t waver. She raised the mic once more and delivered the final blow.
“Miss Harris, as per our agreement, you lost. Starting today, you are officially out of the design world.”
Her voice rang out like a gavel.
A chant began again-“Out of the design world! Out of the design world!”
At that moment, Zora felt the full weight of her defeat. She had been humiliated by Caitlin before, but never like this. Never in front of so many people.
And this time, it was final.
“Caitlin, you’re ruthless!”
Zora spat the words through clenched teeth.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Caitlin replied with a calm, icy poise.
“And even though you’re now banned from continuing as a designer, the third–place trophy still belongs to you.”
“I don’t want your pity!”
Zora snapped.
She turned and stormed off the stage, too humiliated to stay a moment longer.
But she had no idea… the worst wasn’t over yet.
Caitlin wasn’t done.
She was about to teach Zora how to be a better human being.
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