Chapter 477 The Final


    "No need to thank me. If you didn’t meet the standards, I wouldn''t be able to give apliment


    even if I was asked,” Mr. Reed said, sounding like he was in a good mood.


    Susan had been known for being Mrs.


    Shaw all these years rather than for her own talent. Not many people knew this.


    When she made the top ten finalists for the Locke Award, news surged in Canada. After all, the


    Locke Award was like the Nobel Prize for designers. Forget about making the top ten, even making


    it to the top 100 meant that one was an exceptional designer.


    In the past, Canadians had never made it past the top three in thepetition. Top-ten designers


    were scarce too. Susan''s current result was already a rare achievement.


    As Susan’s mentor, Mr. Reed shared the honor as well, which exined his good mood. He was


    always strict, so his rare shower ofpliments delighted Susan.


    "What do you think about the final, though, Susie?” asked Mr. Reed.


    "Hmm?" Susan did not grasp what he meant.


    Mr. Reed was blunt. "As usual, no matter how good you are, your ranking for the Locke Award won''t


    be high. The chances of you making the top three aren''t good. I suggested that you take part


    because I wanted you to exercise your skill. Now that you''ve reached a standard of your own, you''ll


    only be a stepping stone for the others by participating in the final. I don’t think there’s much


    meaning to continuing t o participate.”


    Mr. Reed spoke the truth, but after reaching this stage, Susan was unwilling to give up just like this.


    Like Mr. Reed had said, she would only be a stepping stone if she continued her journey in the


    competition. She was really reluctant to be a stepping stone.


    Susan gritted her teeth. "Mr. Reed, let me consider it."


    "Sure, decide on your own. It doesn''t matter whether you participate or not,” answered Mr. Reed.


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Upon hanging up, Susan was absorbed in her thoughts while staring at the table filled with stacks of


    design drafts.


    She had always been gifted in design.


    Back when she had been in college, her results had been the best. When she had graduated, she


    had been the only person to make it into the design department of Lanyard, the biggestpany in


    Ningcheng City back then.


    Despite her involvement with Julian, she had interviewed for her spot and managed t o be recruited


    at her own expense by Lanyard.


    After a year of training, her vast improvement had made her the best person in Lanyard''s design


    department. Lanyard had been one of Canada''s top constructionpanies. Since she had been


    the best there, she was already one of her generation''s elites in this field in the country.


    When she had met her mentor Mr. Reedter, her ability had slowly surpassed her peers and she


    had caught up to her seniors.


    In the three years that she had stayed reticent, she had studied the works of famous designers


    wholeheartedly and gradually blended and processed them into her unique style, hinting that she


    was bing a master.


    Finally, after two months'' worth of Cliff''s intensive training, her potential was forced out of her.


    Susan was at top form right now. If the fairness of the Locke Award was guaranteed, Susan was


    confident that she stood a chance to be the champion.


    In spite of this, the unspoken rules dictated that she would watch this honor pass her b y


    Susan clenched her fists, feeling indignant.


    She did not have to win the Locke Award, but she had worked hard for it. It was only natural that


    she wanted to receive something equal in return. It was only human!


    Susan sat for a long time before she opened the chat box and sent a message to Mr.


    Reed. "Mr. Reed, I''d still like to try.”


    Mr. Reed did not say much. His reply was short and sweet. “Go ahead."


    Upon making this decision, Susan felt lighter immediately. She still had a long way to go as a


    designer. The Locke Award was a significantpetition, but it was only a part of her journey.


    Whatever she did, she strived to give it her all without regrets.


    The final battle came as nned.


    The final round of thepetition was held in the central stadium of the US.


    Unlike thest two rounds, this assignment would be given on the spot. Once it was announced,


    each designer would have four hours to work on their design and submit the draft on the spot. The


    result would be announced there and then as well.


    Other than the invited famous architects, it was said that 500 spectators would watch the final.


    Julian and Chessie had booked their spots a long time ago, while Jacob, Seth, the Wrights, Mr.


    Reed, Cliff, and basically everyone who was close to Susan had also opted toe and watch the


    final live at the venue.


    The morning droned away as speeches were made and the contestants stood on the stage looking


    bored.


    There was a faint tint of contentment on his face when Mr. Reed looked at Susan, who was


    standing there. Among his students, Susan was the most gifted. She was young too, which made


    her potential the greatest. He did not speak about it, but h e had very high hopes for Susan.


    The reason he had kept pointing out the worst-case scenario of thispetition to Susan was


    because he did not want her to feel any difference when the result was announced, as that would


    affect her confidence in the end.


    Now that he had told her everything and she had decided to still go on with thepetition, she


    must have done sufficient mental preparation.


    As long as her confidence was not affected, it would be beneficial for Susan to have an exchange


    with the best designers in a hugepetition like this.


    Pride glinted in Julian''s eyes as he stared a t Susan, who was on the stage.


    These were the top ten designers in the world, and that was his woman among them.


    "How are you and Susie? Have you gotten back together?” Jacob asked, faintly sideeyeing Julian.


    "More or less," Julian replied calmly.


    “Uncle, daddy''s lying. Mommy has been ignoring him these past few days." Chessie exposed her


    father instantly.


    Julian''s embarrassmentsted for a second before he said seriously, “Your mommy''s throwing a


    small tantrum. It''s how a husband and wife bond. A kid like you can’t understand."


    "Then don’t ask me to say good things for you." Chessie rolled her eyes yfully, rousing a bout of


    laughter.


    Julian had noeback for that. Chessie was really making her father’s life miserable...


    Julian sharply changed the topic and lowered his voice, asking George covertly," Dad, is Canada


    ready?"


    George knew that Julian was speaking about Luke, and his eyes looked murderous for a bit. "Don''t


    worry.”


    They had set up aprehensivework i n the country. With Luke''s clues, they had probed and


    prodded and found the high-ranking minister who was secretly involved with Dark Night. They had


    yet to take action and eliminate the person, but everything was under control. The trickiest issue


    now was to sessfully rescue Luke.


    After all, Luke had contributed significantly this time. There was no reason for them to disappoint a


    meritorious man.