I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 201: Does That Mean She Will Be Disqualified

Chapter 201: Does That Mean She Will Be Disqualified

The air in the backstage area crackled with a palpable mix of excitement and tension. It was the second and final day of the Golden Fleece competition, the day that would crown the winner, the designer who would reign supreme in the world of fashion. The remaining contestants, their faces etched with a mixture of hope and exhaustion, prepared for the final challenges, their minds focused on the ultimate prize.

"Good morning, everyone," the stage manager announced, his voice ringing through the room. "Welcome to the final day of the Golden Fleece competition. Today, you will face three challenges that will test your creativity, your skill, and your ability to perform under pressure."

The first challenge was revealed: a bridal dress design. The contestants were given two hours to create a bridal gown on a mannequin, using a selection of fabrics and embellishments provided by the competition. The clock started ticking, and the room erupted in a flurry of activity.

For Brooke, this challenge was a nightmare. She had always relied on her connections and her charm, but her actual talent as a designer was...lacking. She struggled with the task, her hands fumbling with the fabric, her mind blank. She glanced at the other contestants, their movements fluid and confident, their designs taking shape before her eyes. Panic began to set in.

Lyse, on the other hand, was in her element. She moved with grace and precision, her hands transforming the fabric into a vision of bridal elegance. Her design was innovative, incorporating modern elements with classic bridal traditions. She worked quickly and efficiently, her mind clear and focused.

As the two hours ticked by, Brooke’s dress remained a shapeless mess, a testament to her lack of skill. She knew she was in trouble. She had to come up with something, anything, to impress the judges.

The time was up, and the contestants presented their bridal creations. Lyse’s gown was met with gasps of admiration, its beauty and craftsmanship undeniable. Brooke’s dress, on the other hand, was met with polite but unenthusiastic applause. She knew she had failed.

The second challenge was a question-and-answer session. The contestants were asked a series of questions about their designs, their inspirations, and their vision for the future of fashion. This was Brooke’s forte. She had already bribed a member of the judging panel for the questions and had prepared her answers meticulously. She delivered her responses with confidence and charisma, impressing the judges with her apparent knowledge and passion.

Lyse, who had always had a love for fashion found the questions pretty easy. She read books on fashion extensively and had soared as a student of the art. She answered the questions honestly, and even though she lacked the polish and the rehearsed eloquence of Brooke’s responses, she made up for it with her passion.

After the second challenge, the contestants were given a break to rest. Brooke came by Lyse side and whispered.

"I think that you should just drop out of the competition before you are forced to leave."

Lyse stared at her wordlessly before walking away. Brooke stared at Lyse’s back, a cunning grin on her face then she left.

The third and final challenge was the "personal piece" presentation. The contestants were asked to bring a piece they had worked on prior to the competition, a design that represented their unique style and their creative vision.

Brooke smiled, a smug, self-satisfied smile. This was her trump card, her chance to show everyone that she deserved to be crowned queen. She had a design ready, a design that was guaranteed to impress the judges, after, that design had been stolen from Lyse. How could she lose?

Thanks to Kim, Lyse’s greedy little intern, she had managed to get her hands on one of Lyse’s most prized illustrations, a stunning evening gown that had been meticulously which she had gotten seamstresses to craft over weeks of hard work. Brooke intended to pass it off as her own, confident that it would secure her victory and cement her spot as a legend.

She waited backstage, her heart pounding with anticipation. She knew that Lyse didn’t have her design. She had seen her earlier, frantically searching for something, her face etched with worry. Brooke had made sure that Lyse’s design would never see the light of day.

Finally, it was Brooke’s turn to present her final piece. She walked onto the stage, her head held high, her smile radiant. She unveiled the evening gown, its beauty and intricate detailing stunning the audience. The judges were clearly impressed, their eyes widening in admiration.

Backstage, Brooke waited, her smugness growing with each passing moment. She knew she had won. Lyse was out of the game.

Then, Lyse was summoned to present her own design. She came before the judges empty handed.

"My design!" she said, her voice calm despite the gravity of the situation. "It’s gone, I can’t find it anywhere."

"How is that possible?" One of the organizers rushed forward and ushered Lyse away from the stage and backstage.

"Have you checked everywhere?" He asked, his voice gone high pitched with the stress of things not going exactly according to plan.

"I can’t find it where I kept it." Lyse confirmed. "Someone must have taken it."

Brooke watched her, a malicious glee bubbling inside her. "Looking for something, Lyse?" she asked as she came closer, her voice dripping with false sympathy.

Lyse ignored her as the organizer led her to the dressing room which had been given to her. There, Kim and Mary were digging through the entire place in search of the gown.

And then, Mary found it. Or rather, what was left of it. Her beautiful evening gown, her masterpiece, lay crumpled in the garbage bin, ripped to shreds.

Lyse stared at the ruined garment, her eyes blank of any emotion. She knew who was responsible, it was Brooke. She had done it. She had stolen her design and destroyed it, ensuring that she could not compete.

Everyone who was gathered around stared at the ruined gown and gasped. Somewhere in the background, someone whispered.

"Does that mean she will be disqualified?"