Mystery Bride's Revenge (Selina)

Chapter 99

The words no sooner left the speaker than two faces blanched. Saxa and Ashley looked pale.

Especially Ashley. Even though she knew that Trevon's declarations was purely to protect her reputation, and had nothing to do with Selina, the painful reality of hearing it aloud was too much to hear. How could Selina be worthy of such meritor capacity? Charley, leaning casually on Edwin's shoulder, gleefully watched the unfolding drama, whispering to Edwin, "Honestly, if I'd heard Thevon say something like this back in the day, I'd have bel on the sun rising from the west the next morning." "Now, hearing it, I feel like I'm dreaming," Edwin said.

Both Edwin and Charley knew of Trevon's dislike for women. They had often mused whether Trevor was asexual or gay. given the strong contrast now unfolding. It seemed as if Trevon had been possessed by another.

Unaware of the commotion in the stands, Selina trusted that her dear husband would fend off the antics of Sara and Ashley. There was no doubt that Sara and Ashley would be up to something, but Selina believed in Trevon's ability to handle them. Derrick sidled up to Selina, whispering. "Nervous?"

For the competition. Derrick, who was usually unkempt, had managed to comb his hair into a proper style, dressed sharply in a shirt, trousers, and leather shoes. The transformation from sloppy to dashing was striking.

Selim responded coolly, "It's no big deal. I'll take them down swiftly

"If only it were that simple. Of course, I'll also give it my all." Derrick replied.

With his own designs and achievements recognized, Derrick didn't underestimate Selina any longer. He had never before seen a jewelry designer who could integrate the Angel style so seamlessly. Even Derrick couldn't manage it, and he understood profoundly that when Selina first entered Brilliance and claimed she would rise to number one, it wasn't a joke. If the Summer Starlight Limited Edition -which Selina had just handed off to Cartier-was merely the tip of the iceberg of her talent, then Derrick was deeply aware that Selina's abilities and gifts far surpassed his own. She was even astonishingly close to the legendary designer, Angel,

Madge certainly felt the same way. Compared to negotiating an unpredictable and enigmatic collaboration with Angel, promoting a new Angel in Selina-who was already a part of Brilliance, and thus much easier to partner with-seemed a far better business strategy. That was why Madge smoothed the path for Selina's work all the way to the final review.

The event organizers began introducing representatives of the competing companies.

Part from Brilliance and the Clark Jewelry, all the others were lesser-known workshops. Sokovis was scarce in renowned jewelry companies, and there wasn't a single one with a century-old legacy. This was a substantial reason why Trevon and Timothy had set their sights on this lucrative piece of territory. Becoming the pinnacle of an entire market could yield unlimited support and resources-a most profitable venture indeed.

Once the introductions were through, the organizers retrieved an envelope from sealed parchment paper and commenced announcing the competition theme.

"Today, participants of the Jewelry Design Contest are asked to create a special piece of Valentine's Day limited edition Jewelry. The subject is open to your imagination.

As common as the challenge might have been, it was exactly what everyone had expected.

When do jewelry sales hit their peak? On Valentine's Day, of course,

Design competition themes often gravitated towards seasonal specials, and upon seeing the day's challenge, the designers

18

Chapero

abbready had a good go of what they waned so create

The sew gen an hour to complete their designs, free to choow between traditional deafing digital design methods

or

Magn with a hand-drawn sketch

Following the path of the esteemed designer Angel Mati haladopted similar habits, favoring the use of pencil and paper erating characters and jewelry designs and avoiding computers whenever possible.

He glanced over at the Harvey family area where Selina and his kin, were seated. To his surprise, she was completely still Selma back was to Mamuel, making it impossible for him to read her expression. However, Derrick, seated right beside her, could see her.

lina san with her eyes closed, hands crossed over her chest, in a meditative state, seemingly imperturbable by the tense atmosphere surrounding the competition

nick couldn't figure out what Selina's strategy was. She was facing a Valentine's Day jewelry design challenge, and with

dable opponents, the allotted hour was neither too short nor too long for the task. Knowing Selina had her own anons and capabilities, he turned his attention back to his own design

The spectates in the stands, including Ashely, observed Selina s odd behavior and contemplated her motives. It was the perfina moment for some mischief-just as Timothy arrived, apologizing Tm sorry, Mrs. Harvey, Ashley, for my lateness. urgent matter to tend to at Clark Jewelry"

There

timing is just right. Timothy Ashley replied. "The competition has just started. But take a look at Selina Something night. Everyone is avidly designing while she hasn't stirred a bit. What if something is wrong with her? What should we feigned concem, not too loudly, but loud enough for Trevon to overhear. Timothy's lips curled into a cold smile replied in a hushed tone. "Knowing that country bumpkin Selina would enter today's contest, I made arrangements in advance-all just before this event." Timothy, what have you done? Ashley said.

Ashley's voice was filled with feigned surprise, yet her heart sang with glee. She knew well the extent of Timothy's cunning He would not pass up this chance to bring down both Selina and Trevon Ashley longed to see Selina's failures, eager for Manuel to see her worthlessness and instead turn his attention to her.

Just wait and see, Ashley. When the competition ends, the results will speak for themselves, Timothy replied mysteriously.

Timothy didn't say anything. If even Manuel couldn't hold his ground against Derrick, it wouldn't be easy on Trevon either. That was Trevon's folly, showing vulnerability for a woman

"But Ashley replied.

ushley your heart is pure, but Selina, climbing up the social ladder and repeatedly bullying and mocking you-I cannot forgive her for that. This isn't just for you. It's for Manuel, for the Harvey family exclaimed Timothy, his determination

clear

Ashley bowed her head, pretending to be discouraged by her inability to persuade Timothy. All the while, Sara listened to their exchange, nodding with satisfaction.

If Selina chose her own decline, there was nothing Sara could do to awaken such a lost daughter. Selina would only come to her senses once she had erred so much to anger Trevon and found herself ousted and destitute-then she would realize who was right and who was wrong-

Finally, Manuel broke the silence, addressing Trevon with concem, "What is your wife doing? It's been twenty minutes, and the hain't made a move yet?"