After listening to Alisa, Clarence lifted his brows and realized the reason why Stella was so obsessed
with problems regarding the child.
She firmly believed that Dolores was in City N. Therefore, it was natural that she started to be
suspicious of other matters.
Alisa said uneasily, “Sir, will anything happen?”
Clarence recollected himself and replied calmly, “Nothing will happen.”
After he had finished his breakfast, Clarence entered the Rolls Royce parked outside the mansion.
Nathan said, “Mr. Conrad, Jeffrey has not been found yet. Mr. James’s staff stated that there was a
pool of blood at the scene. It is likely that Jeffrey…”
Clarence leaned back in the back seat and only said, “Keep a close watch on Charles. Once he has
made a move, tell me immediately.”
“Yes, Mr. Conrad.”
After some time, Clarence added, “Is there any clues regarding Adolph at the scene?”
Probably not expecting Clarence to suddenly mention the person, Nathan paused for a while, “Mr.
Conrad means…”
“Stella said that he had gone after Jeffrey.”
Clarence squinted. If Jeffrey was really taken away by Charles’s men, he should be fraught with
danger.
A few moments later, Clarence then continued, “Look for him too during the search for Jeffrey. If he is
alive, bring him back along with Jeffery.”
Nathan nodded, “Yes, Mr. Conrad.”
……
On the day of the designers’ contest, not only the organizers and all the judges but also many media
reporters were at the venue. Everyone was waiting for the live broadcast of the contest later.
Stella and Modesty arrived at almost the same time. The latter cast a disdainful look at Stella, withdrew
her eyes from her and strode away.
Stella grinned and sat down in her own seat.
Soon, all ten contestants had arrived and was waiting for the organizers to announce the names of the
contestants who entered the final round.
At the section where the press reporters were seated, there was a lively discussion as to who the
winner would be.
Whether it was Stella, Modesty or the other designers, they were all popular candidates of the contest.
Although Stella was a newcomer in the design industry, her works had already won the first place in
designers’ contest three years ago. Even though she lost the opportunity to study abroad due to
objective reasons, she was gifted and had potential.
Moreover, when she made her comeback last year, she signed a contract with the top domestic
jewellery magazine, SG Jewelry Magazine. She was the only designer at that time.
At the end of the year, she left SG Jewelry Magazine and created her own brand. Although it was not
considered as a high-end brand, it had become the favourite niche brand of many stars. The current
hottest award-winning actress, Winnie Truman, had been basically wearing pieces of this brand in
every event she had attended.
She was regarded as a dark house in the design industry. Nobody knew how far would she go, and
nobody knew how much of her talent had yet been showed to the world.
In regard to Modesty, her teacher was the design world’s top designer, Robert. During her three years
in Paris, she had already gained some fame. As of now, her design level and skill was comparable to
Stella.
As for other popular contestants, they had their respective strengths. It would be difficult to rank them in
a short time.
When everyone was having a lively discussion, the staff representing the organizers finally came on
stage, “Sorry for the long wait. The top three contestants in the previous round are finally finalized. The
finalists will be announced from the lowest place, one by one…”
When he was speaking, he left a suspense and each word was stretched in his voice. His words had
left everyone hanging in midair.
When everyone was holding their breath nervously, the staff continued to speak, “Third place, Ms.
Charlotte Boyce.”
There was a round of applause from the audience. People around Charlotte congratulated her. They
looked at her enviously but their eyes also showed sadness and helplessness.
Once some of them had handed in their designs, they already knew that they had no chance of
entering the final round.
With a smile on her face, Charlotte nodded at the people who congratulated her to acknowledge their
words of congratulation. She thanked them one by one.
Immediately after that, the staff continued to announce the finalists, “Second place, Ms. Radomil.”
In fact, everyone there had expected Stella to be placed second.
However, since she was placed second, the first place would go to…
Everyone diverted their gaze to Modesty who had raised her chin slightly.
While everyone was looking at her, the staff said slowly, “First place, Ms. Modesty Parker.”
The corners of her mouth quirked up. It seemed that she was not surprised that she got first place. She
acted as if the title belonged to her all along.
At the judges table, one of the judges was flattering Robert. He said that it was no wonder that Modesty
was his student and she would be worthy of being his successor and so on.
Robert had a satisfied smile on his face.
At that moment, the staff spoke again, “We will take a short break. Half an hour later, the three finalists
will enter the rooms over there. The three of you have three hours to design your pieces. When the
time is up, all the judges will give scores to your pieces and then choose the first place of this
designers’ contest.”
In the direction pointed by the staff, there were three rooms. The walls of the rooms were made up of
transparent glass. The transparent walls indicated that the contest was open and transparent.
After the staff had gotten down the stage, Stella let out a breath and got up to go to the bathroom.
Just after she had taken two steps towards the bathroom, she saw Robert talking to Modesty. His facial
expression showed relief and appreciation. During their conversation, he glanced at her in contempt.
The corners of Stella’s mouth quirked up. Finally, she found out where Modesty’s conceited and
arrogant personality came from. Since her father was a quiet and honest man, she had definitely
learned it from her master who was as proud as a peacock.
Stella withdrew her gaze and left.
Robert stopped smiling and asked coldly, “Are you fully ready?”
Modesty nodded her head, “I am fully ready.”
“As long as you maintain your level of performance steadily, everything will go well. Since you defeated
her in the previous stage and won the first place, you can also triumph over her in the finals. As long as
you don’t make a mistake, I guarantee that you will be the champion of this contest!”
Modesty moved her lips and wanted to say something. However, she did not say anything in the end.
After telling her to perform well in the contest, Robert left.
Just after Robert had left, Arthur walked up to Modesty before she had the time to take a breath.
Modesty’s facial expression changed significantly all of a sudden and spoke under her breath, “Didn’t
we agree that I will give you the money after the contest? What are you doing here now?”
Arthur laughed, “I have come here specially to congratulate you.”
While speaking, he patted her on the shoulder. His hand purposely slid down her body from the
shoulder, “You are really nervous. You should relax.”
Modesty disdained to associate herself with people like him and slapped his hand away without any
courtesy, “I don’t need your words of congratulation. This is what I deserve.”
Arthur laughed loudly, “Yes, yes. You are right. You deserve to get the first place.”
Although he was laughing, the hint of sarcasm in his words was apparent.
Modesty breathed in deeply and didn’t want to talk more nonsense with him. Just when she turned
around to leave, Arthur stuffed a room card into her bag, “After the contest has ended, I will wait for you
until you show up.”
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