Chapter 4

"She's been exposed, hasn't she? Is she just making things up now?"

"It's barely been a month of prep time! One person making an entire finished bridal gown is already incredibly difficult!"

I ignored the whispers around me.

I calmly asked the judging panel for five mannequins.

Returning to my competition spot, Mom and I calmly pulled out clothing bags. I was prepared. I was here to make money, and every piece at this competition would be sold. The more, the better.

Having lived a lifetime, I'd spent sixty years in fashion. I'd made ten gowns in a single month before.

Even though the tools weren't as advanced in this life, my sixty years of skill were still sharp.

Some onlookers scoffed,

"Can she really win by sheer volume?"

People were still whispering, but as my gowns were placed one by one on the mannequins, everyone fell silent.

My past life's design was an intricate, heavily embroidered gown, extremely complex to recreate. That's why I left it for last, to make it if I could, and skip it if I couldn't.

All my focus in this life had been on these five designs.

Each one was an award-winning design that hadn't yet appeared in this era.

Elegant, grand, and minimalist - a standard that wouldn't be outdated even in that time.

When the five dresses were perfectly displayed, everyone was speechless.

The judging began.

All the judges lingered for a long time in front of my designs.

They asked me about my design philosophy, my inspiration, and I answered them honestly.

Actually, long before those contestants stopped gossiping about me, I already knew the answer in my heart.

But to my dismay, first place still went to Dylan's intricately crafted gown.

The contestants who had mocked me earlier now offered consolation.

"Chloe's dad is one of the organizers. We all think your designs were better."

Dylan, holding his medal, shot me a triumphant glance.

"Copying is copying. Trying to win by quantity is just pathetic. How utterly ridiculous."

But then, Dylan's smile faltered.

The next awards, second place, third place, all the way to sixth place,

They all went to me.

The judges commented,

"The works are mature, with a unique style. While they show echoes of the first-place design, they are more refined. The only drawback is that as bridal gowns, they are perhaps too minimalist; the mainstream still prefers more decoration."

The room fell completely quiet. Anyone who knew anything about design understood.

Decorations can be added later, but the fundamental design and cut of the garment are what truly matter.

Dylan's cool demeanor finally crumbled.

I calmly gave my acceptance speech, focusing on one key point: "They are available for purchase."

Several judges' eyes lit up with interest.

My creations were right here. Whether they were copied or not, everyone could judge for themselves.

Even Chloe understood, giving Dylan a disgusted look before directly leaving the venue.

Dylan stubbornly stayed. He needed to make money.

The auction began with the first-place design.

Dylan's piece started at $10,000, and Chloe's father bid it up to $15,000.

But the price wouldn't go any higher; no one else raised their paddle.

In my past life, this gown sold for fifty thousand! Had that person not shown up?

I felt a little worried. Would my gowns not sell for much now?

When it was my turn, Chloe's father privately approached me.

"Scarlett, if your designs could stay with the company, I'd promote you and give you a raise."

I didn't know how to respond.

Just then, my gowns went up for auction. All five pieces at once.

"$50,000!" "$150,000!" "$200,000!"

Everyone frantically raised their paddles. The price per piece had long surpassed Dylan's $15,000.

I grew more excited; I hadn't expected such an incredible response to these five pieces.

Dylan stood in front of his own gown, his face growing darker and darker.

"$500,000!"