Chapter 401

Luna’s question wasn’t just her own. The whole crowd of Evalina’s supporters had been dying to know the answer too.
After all, Evalina and Jenny were separated by only six points. Lydia’s decision to vote for Jenny, not Evalina, looked suspiciously like favoritism, especially since they were connected.
Lydia heard the question and turned to Luna, her expression cool and steady.
“I’m sorry. The rules say that in the first round, judges only comment on the works they select. If you want to know why I didn’t pick contestant number one, I’ll explain during the finals.”
Everyone knew the rule. Only the top ten finalists would get feedback from all the judges.
But Luna pressed on, her voice full of meaning. “That’s what the rules say, sure. But I heard that Jenny works for your company. I also heard that Mr. Norwood has a connection to your company too. Is that why both of you chose her over Evalina?”
The room exploded in whispers.
What was Luna getting at?
Was she suggesting Lydia and Blake had rigged the vote for one of their own? That the two judges had practically handed first place to their own candidate, just like that?
It was outrageous.
Jenny’s face went white. “No, it’s not like that. I swear, it’s not!”
Blake just looked lost, completely confused by Luna’s accusation.
Wait, contestant twelve, Jenny, worked for Miss L’s company? What did that have to do with him?
Right then, Blake actually had no idea Jenny was a designer at Greenward Power. He didn’t even know Lydia was his little sister. He’d picked Jenny’s work because it was genuinely the best, nothing more.
What nonsense was that woman spewing?
The host hesitated, caught off guard and unsure what to say next. Content orıginally comes from.net
Lydia just gave a small smile, fixing her gaze on Luna. “And where did you hear that?”
Luna lifted her chin, confidence in every word. She pointed at Sharee and Sierra, who looked like they wished they could sink into the floor. “From them.”
Things were getting juicy.
Lydia followed Luna’s gaze, spotting Sharee and Sierra trying to melt into the background.
Her eyes turned icy cold.
Those two were such a disgrace.
Blake saw it all and grabbed his mic. “Host, could you please bring them up to the stage?”
He refused to let anyone accuse him of favoritism. He’d always believed in fairness and hated anyone who tried to cheat their way ahead. Sure, he cared about his fellow countrymen abroad, but if someone was looking for trouble, he wouldn’t hesitate to set them straight.
Lydia was thinking the same thing. With everything out in the open, the truth had to come out in front of everyone. She didn’t care about her own reputation, but if Jenny couldn’t clear her name her career might be over before it even started. Rumors might not be facts, but they could ruin someone’s life all the same.
“I agree with Mr. Norwood,” she said.
Just like that, all eyes turned to Sierra, Sharee, and Luna.
Sierra never expected Blake to step in and ask them to come up on stage. Her heart started racing.
Had Blake finally noticed her? Did he
think she was prettier than Jenny, maybe even more talented? Was
this his way of getting her attention, maybe even starting a conversation with her?