Chapter 1269:


    The inte buzzed with debate.


    “Does Maia think she can rival titans at such an event?” one post questioned.


    “Kiley was just polite. How could Maia take it seriously? What could she critique?” another sneered.


    “No designerpares to Annie Crystal’s founder. Anti’s critique is enough,” a third dered.


    At the event, disbelief etched the audience’s faces, some curling into derisive smirks.


    When Kiley summoned Maia onstage, she chose a seat at the stage’s rear.


    A sly smirk tugged at Kiley’s lips as her suspicions were confirmed. Maia knew nothing of jewelry design. She was clearly afraid to sit up front, perhaps to avoid exposing her ignorance. Kiley had investigated her, and her investigation revealed Maia’s artistic foundation and self-taught fashion design from prison, but jewelry design was a different realm.


    Without ess to real jewels during incarceration, how could Maia im expertise?


    Kiley had nned to merely showcase her but now craved her public humiliation before guests, reporters, and viewers.


    “Maia wishes her critique to close the discussion,” Kiley said, her voice dripping with mockery.


    Turning to Aurielle, president of the International Jewelry Design Association, and Anti, Annie Crystal’s founder, she asked, “Which of youdies will start?”


    Aurielle, ever a fan of Anti, graciously deferred to her.


    “I’ll go first,” Anti dered, iming the front chair with confidence. She shed a smile at Aurielle. “You don’t mind, do you?”


    “Not at all,” Aurielle replied, her enthusiastic grin bright as she settled to Anti’s left.


    The seating sparked murmurs among the audience.


    g ? ln σ ν?? ?s, where stories thrive


    “Maia’s lying about her jewelry knowledge. She’d have taken the first seat otherwise,” one whispered.


    “She’s clueless and will likely just echo the experts,” another sneered.


    “She’ll parrot Anti and Aurielle’s words, a cheap tactic,” a third added.


    Online, the sentiment echoed.


    “She talks big but can’t deliver. Smart to hide at the back,” onement read.


    “Her past sess has her thinking she’s omniscient,” another jabbed.


    “If she were skilled, she’d sit up front. All bluff, no substance,” a third scoffed.


    Rosanna’s fists clenched, her gaze icy as she watched Maia, who hadn’t nced her way despite their close proximity.


    “How long will you y this game, Maia?” Rosanna muttered under her breath.


    Turning to Reagan, she found calm in the evidence Reagan had provided.


    A faint smirk curled her lips before her expression grew cold once more. She eyed Maia, bathed in stage light, and resolved to bide her time before stripping away Maia’s moment of glory.


    After all, she wasn’t Maia’s only opponent this time.


    There was Kiley and Reagan, and thetter had evidence of Maia’s prison break.


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