Chapter 132

Chapter 132:

“Look, this is an international competition. Big names from all over the world will be there. Nyx is a small fish in a massive pond. I didn’t expect us to win, no matter who joins. I just wanted us to be a part of it, get the exposure. It could be Violet, it could be you, it could be Tasha, the front desk girl p>

“It may not mean anything to you, but it means a hell of a lot more to me p>

She raised her hands in mock surrender. “Mira, I know you’ve got the talent. You’ve probably got more than the rest of them combined, but you have to think about the company. And it’s not as if I’m saying you can’t join. You can, just not this year. I’ll make sure you get a spot next time, I promise p>

“But-” I started to argue, but she cut me off.

“This is final,” Savannah said, her tone hardening. “You’re upset, I get it. But you need to look at this from my side too. I have to keep the company afloat. Prestige and recognition mean jack all if we can’t even pay the staff. You’re still our chief designer, Mira. And that’s not changing. But on this, I can’t help you p>

“Fine,” I said, nodding, “I get it p>

I left Savannah’s office, my mind made up.

The spot was Nyx’s to hand out, so there was no point continuing to argue.

But I wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

Who said I couldn’t participate as an independent?

Back at my desk, I opened The Aureate Awards website to see what it took to enter as an individual.

Violet Lin materialized like a ghost behind me, peering over my shoulder.

“Ah, checking out the website?” she said, her tone smug. She placed her cup of black coffee down on my desk with an exaggerated clink, as if making a point. “I guess you’ve heard the news, huh p>

“The way your voice carries, the janitor and his broom on the basement floor would have heard the news p>

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“The spot’s mine p>

“I’m not deaf p>

“But you are stubborn. Still trying to get in, huh? Well, I wouldn’t waste time. Unless you’ve got thirty million spare cash lying around.” She covered her mouth with a dainty hand. “Oops, I forgot. You don’t p>

“Do you plan on buying your way to the finals? I’m afraid all the gold in Fort Knox won’t suffice. You’d have to kill every other contestant p>

“Still sarcastic, I see. But I guess that’s all you can do now—talk. Meanwhile, I’ve got things to do.” She picked an invisible lint from her dress. “Don’t you worry about me, dear. Worst-case scenario, I’ll just hire a top-tier designer to do the work for me. Simple p>

I gawked at her. “Does Savannah know that’s your plan? Having created one scandal isn’t enough? What, you’ve got some kind of quota to fulfill p>

“She doesn’t, and she doesn’t need to know. If I win, it’s good for Nyx. If she knows what’s good for her, for the company, she’ll keep her mouth shut p>