I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 202: A Figure Lurking In The Shadows

Chapter 202: A Figure Lurking In The Shadows

The discovery of Lyse’s dress, ripped to shreds and discarded in the trash, sent a ripple of whispers through the backstage area. Contestants huddled together, their voices hushed with a mixture of shock and speculation. "Do you think she is going to be disqualified?" one whispered.

"Without a final piece, she doesn’t stand a chance," another murmured. The air was thick with tension, everyone waiting to see how the drama would unfold.

Brooke, outwardly a picture of concern, inwardly seethed with satisfaction. Her plan had worked perfectly. Lyse’s design, her biggest competition, was out of the picture. She had effectively eliminated her rival, securing her own path to victory. She just needed to maintain her facade of concern, to appear genuinely sympathetic to Lyse’s misfortune.

"This is just awful." Brooke cooed with faux sympathy. "After all your hardwork, this is how it ends for you in such a sad and pathetic manner."

Despite the chaos, Lyse however, remained remarkably calm, her expression betraying none of the panic that Brooke expected to see. She surveyed the scene, taking in the whispers, the curious glances, the undisguised glee on Brooke’s face. Then, she walked over to the Director of the competition, her demeanor composed and professional.

"Excuse me," she said, her voice clear and steady. "I would like to request a short recess. Thirty minutes, if possible."

Brooke’s jaw dropped. A solution? How could Lyse possibly have a solution? Her dress was destroyed, her final piece gone. What could she possibly do in thirty minutes? A wave of anger washed over Brooke. She had been so sure that she had won, so confident that Lyse was out of the game. Now, it seemed, Lyse had another trick up her sleeve.

The Director looked surprised. "A recess? Ms. Spade, I am not sure that is..."

"I understand the time constraints," Lyse interrupted, her voice firm but polite. "But I assure you, I have a solution. I just need a little time to organize it."

"We have already spent too much time and are running behind schedule." The director said regretfully.

Brooke hid her smile and looked approvingly at the director. It was important that no one give Lyse a chance to do anything.

"But you owe me." Lyse said, her voice soft but steely. "My dress got ripped on the premises, you have a responsibility for that."

With a raised eye, she continued. "Or i could get the police and have them waste everyone’s time."

At her words, the people gathered started grumbling and whispering at the thought of spending more time than they had planned.

The Director raised a hand and the noise quieted, then after a moment of consideration, he nodded. "Alright, Ms. Spade," he said. "We can grant you a thirty-minute recess. But please, be back promptly or you will be disqualified. We need to keep the competition moving."

"Thank you," Lyse replied, her expression grateful. She turned and walked away, leaving Brooke and the other contestants staring after her in stunned silence.

Brooke, her mind racing, could not understand what Lyse was planning but she knew it did not bode well for her. She had been so thorough, so meticulous in her sabotage. How could Lyse possibly have a backup plan? It was impossible. Kim had told her that was the only dress that they had worked on.

She could not shake the feeling of unease. She had to know what Lyse was up to. She had to find a way to stop her, to ensure that she did not pull another rabbit out of her hat.

She decided to take a risk. She needed to talk to one of the judges, the same one she had bribed for the answers. She had to try and influence his decision. She knew it was a long shot, but she was desperate.

She slipped away from the backstage area, making her way to the judges’ room. Unknown to her, someone noticed her and followed.

She found Judge Thompson, a man known for his...flexibility. She had already made contact with him earlier, and he had been more than ready to a mutually beneficial arrangement.

"Mr Thompson," she said, her voice smooth and persuasive. "I just wanted to...express my gratitude for your help. You have always been such a fair and discerning judge."

Judge Thompson smiled, a glint of something that looked suspiciously like greed in his eyes as he appreciated her figure. "Thank you, Ms. Chadwick," he replied, his voice oily. "Your kind words are very...appreciated."

Brooke continued her flattery, subtly steering the conversation towards the competition, towards Lyse. She painted a picture of Lyse as a desperate, unethical designer, someone who would stop at nothing to win. She emphasized the incident with the missing garment, hinting that Lyse might have been involved.

Judge Thompson listened attentively, his expression unreadable. Brooke could feel her anxiety growing. She needed to seal the deal, to make sure that Judge Thompson would side with her.

"It is important that I win the Golden Fleece." She said, her voice low and urgent. "Judge Thompson," she pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation. "You have to help me. Please. I’ll...I’ll make it worth your while."

Judge Thompson, his face still flushed with guilt and apprehension, hesitated. He knew what she was asking, and he knew it was wrong. But the allure of the bribe was strong, the temptation too much to resist.

"How much?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Brooke’s heart leaped. He was willing. She quickly calculated the amount she was willing to offer, the price she was willing to pay for victory.

"Ten thousand," she said, her voice firm. "Ten thousand dollars. Cash. Transferred to your account right now."

Judge Thompson’s eyes widened and he salivated. Ten thousand dollars was a significant sum, a tempting reward for his...cooperation. He glanced around nervously, making sure no one was watching.

"Alright," he said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "But it has to be instant. I don’t want any...complications."

"Of course," Brooke replied, her voice smooth. "I will do it right now."

She pulled out her phone, quickly accessing her banking app. She transferred the money to Judge Thompson’s account, the notification confirming the transaction flashing on her screen.

"It’s done," she said, showing him the confirmation. "The money is in your account."

Judge Thompson nodded, his expression a mixture of greed and unease. "Good," he said. "Now, let’s just hope no one else finds out about this."

"They won’t," Brooke assured him, her voice confident. "I will make sure of it, just make me look good."

She turned to leave, her mind racing. She had secured Judge Thompson’s vote, now Lyse had no chance no matter what kind of magic she was able to pull off.

As she left the room, she failed to notice a figure lurking in the shadows, watching her every move.