While waiting, Xavier straightened his clothes and quickly checked his appearance, brushing off any creases. He didn’t spare Alexandre a nce, instead keeping his eyes on the stage as the host stepped into the spotlight to address the audience.
"Today’spetition ising to an end," the host announced. "All of our candidates have presented their designs, and the judges have finalized their scores. Unlike the preliminary round, where scores were revealed openly, this time, the final rankings and scores will be revealed all at once. They will also be posted on our official website for everyone to see clearly."
Behind him, staff members bustled about, arranging the stage setup andmunicating with the teams in charge of scoring and logistics.
"And while we wait for the final scores to be tallied," the host said with a charismatic smile, "let’s take a moment to reflect on the highlights of today’spetition—and maybe even talk about which candidate made the strongest impression on our judges."
He was clearly stirring the pot, hoping to generate more buzz and engagement before the results were officially announced.
"Do you even need to ask?" one of the judges replied with a chuckle. "I thought the answer was already obvious from the start."
He didn’t name anyone directly, deliberately leaving his words open to interpretation. Was he referring to Alice Quinn, who had the audacity to use someone of giarism while presenting a stolen design herself? Or was he hinting at Hera, who had calmly and thoroughly defended herself with irrefutable evidence? Hera didn’t just clear her name—she turned the situation into a powerful lesson for others, reminding designers to be meticulous and vignt about their work.
It was such a wless execution that anyone unaware of the background might have thought Hera had anticipated the entire situation, patiently waiting for someone reckless enough to walk straight into their own downfall. In the end, Alice didn’t just fail to build a reputation—she destroyed her own future. Her credibility was shattered, and no matter what industry she tries to enter next, the stain of her actions will follow her.
Well, in truth, this was all part of Hera’s n to deal with Alice. Though she had prepared for this oue, she hadn’t been certain Alice would actually stoop so low. As the original female lead of the novel, Alice was supposed to be righteous and kind-hearted—stealing someone else’s design should have been beneath her. But Hera had still made preparations, just in case.
If Alice truly dared to cross that line, Hera was ready to be ruthless. By exposing her, she wasn’t just cutting off Alice’s future in jewelry design—she was sealing off her chances in the entertainment industry and any other public-facing career. There would be no redemption arc. Noeback. And with that, Alice’s role as the female lead would effectively end.
All Hera needed to do now was walk the path Alice was meant to walk in the novel—achieve her milestones, take her opportunities—and in doing so, the female lead’s halo would shift to her. Only then could she carve a better future for herself and the people she cared about, saving them from the tragic fates they were destined to meet in the original story.
Was Hera happy about defeating Alice?
No.
But it had to be done.
The host and judges chatted for a few more minutes, building anticipation, until the host received a signal that the tallying wasplete. He looked up at the camera with a smile.
"Alright, everyone—the rankings and scores have now been posted online. But we’re keeping the suspense alive for the champion and the top three! So, let’s go ahead and reveal the finalists and our winner!"
With a flourish, the host began announcing the top-ranking candidates, calling each of them to the stage. As their names were spoken aloud, the previously hidden names on the official website were also unveiled one by one. They were presented with trophies, bouquets of flowers, and thunderous apuse. And as the list narrowed, the champion became clear to everyone, even before the official announcement.
Without dragging out the moment any further, the host grinned and dered, "And now, the Champion of this year’s IGI Expressions Competition Finale is none other than—Andarta Aria, with her magnificent Phoenix and Dragon set!"
Apuse erupted throughout the venue.
"Let’s all congratte our Champion, who not only showcased an extraordinary design but also reminded us of the importance of caution, precision, and vignce in our creative work, because our designs are like our children!"
He then added proudly, "And as for her score—she received a perfect 10 across the board: for design, originality, and technical execution!"
As soon as the host finished speaking, the entire crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation. Apuse thundered through the venue as Hera stepped out from the side of the stage, making her way toward the center where the host stood waiting.
Though her victory in the designpetition may have felt anticlimactic to some, for Hera, it meant everything. Her chest swelled with emotion because this win wasn’t just about a trophy.