She really did have a knack for design. When she saw the design files on her phone, she was angry and shocked, but her desire to im them as her own was even stronger.


    That was why she was so confident she would win first ce today.


    And Natalie had practically handed it to her. How could she not be happy?


    Adrian had sent her a message: as long as she won, he could clear her name and get her movie back on track for release.


    Resources would pour in, and the morous life she had always dreamed of was finally within reach. Natalie would forever be nothing more than her stepping stone. Even though she had stolen the designs, Joanna was feeling on top of the world.


    As for the pianopetition, it had been postponed due to various issues.


    Natalie didn''t spare Sebastian a single nce. She knew with deep certainty that Joanna was going to take first ce this time.


    This collection was one-of-a-kind, with nothing like it on the market. With Sebastian''s marketing genius, they were sure to rake in a fortune. Theirpany specialized in haute couture, where a million-dor gown was just a starting price. She hadn''t wanted to win anyway. If Joanna loved the spotlight so much, she could have it.


    Meanwhile, Sebastian was trying to figure out when Joanna could have possibly touched his phone.


    He had seen Joanna over the past two weeks, but he had never given her an opportunity to get close to him.


    How on earth did she get the design files?


    Sebastian nced at the judges'' panel not far away; they seemed very pleased with Joanna''s designs.


    Online, people were already buzzing about J Corp''s new line.


    Sebastian knew Joanna was going to win first ce.


    But when the models for Natalie''spany walked out, Sebastian was stunned. This was clearly not Natalie''s usual standard of work. It was mediocre. Why would she...


    Sebastian looked at Natalie,pletely bewildered, but she was staring down at her phone, treating him like he was invisible. Her beautiful eyes, however, were filled with fury.


    Sebastian knew she was furious, thinking he had schemed against her again. But this time, he truly hadn''t.


    He wasn''t going to be the scapegoat for this.


    Thepetition ended at one-thirty.


    As expected, Joanna won first ce.


    Natalie took second.


    A designer from Sebastian''spany won third.


    set


    The three designers were called to the stage to ept their awards, but Natalie refused to go. She went to find Susan instead.


    She had Keith go up in her ce. As thepany''s president, he was also eligible to ept the award.


    After watching Natalie leave, Sebastian followed her.


    Natalie went backstage to look for Susan, but after searching everywhere, she couldn''t find her.


    Unable to locate Susan, she saw Luna resting inside a lounge.


    "Luna, where''s Susan?"


    Luna said, "She was standing by the door ying a game on her phone earlier. Then she took a call and went outside."


    Natalie found that strange. "What''s going on? I just called her, and she didn''t pick up."


    Luna shook her head. "She said she


    was and then just left. thought she went to find you content belongs to


    the Sing out to take a call an


    A bad feeling began to creep over Natalie. She took out her phone and called Susan again.


    But after three tries, she still didn''t answer.


    Natalie was getting worried. "Luna, you should help me look for Susan, too. She''s not answering my calls."


    Luna thought for a moment. "Maybe it''s just too loud in here, and she didn''t hear it?"


    Natalie replied, "That''s possible, but


    let''s look for her first I''ll check the main hall, and you search backstage


    again." no


    Natalie and Luna split up.


    She ran into Sebastian at the exit.


    He blocked her path. "Natalie, wait. Just give me a minute to exin."