“Oh, I see. Sorry, I misunderstood.” Natalie flashed her a smile.
“Well, please excuse us if there’s nothing else.” After saying that, Jessie left with Hannah.
Beside Natalie, Sally commented, “For some reason, I find Jessie really strange. Everything about her
screams aberrant.”
Natalie nodded in agreement. “Me too. She gives off a strong sense of incongruity. Besides, she seems
to have popped out of nowhere.”
Logically speaking, she can’t possibly have been a nobody when she possesses such great talent in
design. But the fact remains that there was never anyone named Jessie Syke in the design industry in
the past. She appeared out of the blue and swiftly made a name for herself in the industry. No matter
how I look at it, something just doesn’t add up.
I’ve seen her designs before, and she has a strong personal style. Without the mentoring of a renowned
designer, a young designer couldn’t have possibly established her own personal style so early. After all,
young people’s design styles oscillate as their talents aren’t at the zenith yet. They may design
something cool before switching to adorable. However, it’s different with her. Her design style has never
changed from the very beginning, so she must have been mentored by a renowned designer.
But I’ve asked Ms. Mackenzie, and she told me that the few top-notch designers in the world whose
styles are similar to Jessie have never taken her as a mentee. So, who on earth did she learn from?
“What are you thinking, Nat?” Sally nudged Natalie lightly.
Her gaze flickering for a moment, Natalie snapped back to her senses. “Nothing much. I was just
wondering who Jessie’s mentor is.”
“Who cares? Let’s watch the show.” Sally had no interest in that matter. Instead, she was staring at the
runway with stars in her eyes.
Hearing that, Natalie was torn between amusement and exasperation.
Ah well, she’s right. Whoever Jessie’s mentor might be has nothing to do with me, so why should I dwell
upon it?
The competition’s opening ceremony went on for almost three hours before the curtains fell. Next was a
banquet open to all participants, judges, and models. It was basically a networking event.
Sally had been clamoring to get acquainted with the supermodels, so she hastened away with a wine
glass in her hand as soon as they stepped into the banquet hall.
Abandoned, Natalie shook her head. Holding a glass of fruit juice herself, she went to the balcony for
some fresh air.
All of a sudden, she heard a voice from the garden below. It was Jessie’s voice.
Her voice sounded muted, seemingly having been deliberately muffled.
Nonetheless, it happened to be right beneath Natalie’s feet, with only the flooring in between. For that
reason, she could hear Jessie’s words loud and clear.
“Where are you now? I’ll go and pick you up tonight.”
Jessie was probably talking to an acquaintance of hers who came to look for her.
However, her tone was rather peeved, making it evident that the person on the other end of the phone
had a contentious relationship with her.
As Natalie took a sip of fruit juice, Jessie again spoke. “Make sure you cover your entire face without any
part of it showing. If the media recognizes you and investigates the reason you came here, we’ll both be
done for. Alright, I won’t forget you when I win the competition. Goodbye!”
After that, her voice abruptly cut off.
On the heels of that, the clicking of high heels against the ground rang out.
As Natalie dipped her head and looked down the banister, she happened to catch a glimpse of Jessie’s
retreating back in an evening gown, her cell phone in hand.
Subsequently, she pursed her lips in puzzlement.
What did she mean by that? Why would she and the other person be done for if the latter is recognized?
While she was pondering upon it, Sally walked over. “Ah, you’re here, Nat? I’ve been looking for you
everywhere.”
“What’s the matter?” Suppressing the questions plaguing her, Natalie turned around.
Sally let out a sigh. “It’s time for the participating designers to give a speech. Earlier, the organizer added
a last-minute segment to the banquet to get the designers acquainted with each other. It requires the
designers to give a speech, introducing themselves and their respective countries. Others have gone
ahead, so you should quickly go as well.”
“Got it.” Natalie handed her glass to her before hurrying into the banquet hall.
The introductory segment went smoothly.
Although some designers looked down on Natalie because of her country of origin, they didn’t dare
question her capabilities upon hearing that her mentor was Mercede Mackenzie.
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