Chapter 31
Chapter 31 Did She Bribe The Judges
Half an hour passed, and a heavy silence slowly descended over the space. It feels as though we’re
trapped in some ancient and mysterious corner of the world, and no one knows we’re here. If another
half an hour passes. the oxygen in this tiny space will probably all be gone.
A thin sheen of sweat covered Christina’s forehead. In such an environment, a person’s fear of the dark
would grow and intensify slowly but surely like sand through an hourss.
Feeling dizzy. Tina walked over to the doors, raised her hands, and pounded on them. “Are you all
dead? Why isn’t anyoneing to save me!”
After a while, her hands started to hurt so much that she switched to kicking. The doors were made
entirely of solid steel, so she would be unable to make a crack even if she broke a bone.
With all the pent-up anger bubbling inside her, Tina pointed at the figure in the corner andshed out at
her. “It’s all your fault, Christina Steele! Someone must’ve been trying to prank you, and that’s why we
got caught up in this mess!”
It was not the first time someone had yed a prank on Christina in the office. Sometimes it was just
one person, and sometimes there were more. Everyone knew about it, but no one said anything and
quietly allowed such behavior to carry on.
Christina felt a suffocating sensation in her chest, and she started to panic. Thest time she had felt
like that was while kissing Nathaniel on the bed in a hotel. However, the sensation felt way more
ufortable now.
The sound of Tina’s voice yapping away made her feel even more frustrated, so she turned away and
ignored the former. Although she had been standing in a corner at first, she gradually felt weak and
slumped to the floor in a heap. She stared into space, her eyes unfocused. It was impossible to guess
what was running through her mind.
Time continued ticking by, then suddenly, they heard a deep voice on the other side of the doors.
“Christina, are you in there?”
It was Nathaniel’s voice!
Christina sprang up from the floor with a thud like an arrow released from a taut bowstring, then rushed
to the doors. “Nathaniel. it’s me! I’m inside!”
No one knew that her mind had already been gripped with fear for her life just a second before. She
was ovee with emotion, so much so that her eyes instantly brimmed with tears.
“Don’t be afraid, and don’te close to the doors. I’m going to get you out of there immediately!”
“Okay.” She could tell that his voice sounded just as anxious as hers.
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She took a few steps backward and stood far away from the doors. For one minute, everything was
quiet outside. Then, they heard the sound of something heavy being dragged.
It only took several minutes for a few security guards to pry open the heavy steel doors, and those
inside the elevator could finally breathe some fresh air as a gust of wind blew in
Nathaniel strode in, and before Christina could say anything, he scooped her up in his arms and quickly
walked back out.
1/3
That scene left the other two people inside the elevator dumbfounded. Wasn’t that good-looking guy
the boss of Radiant Corporation? He personally came to rescue Christina, so how can they still say
nothing is going on between them?
Meanwhile, the wind had also blown away the heavy, suffocating feeling in Christina’s chest. She could
finally breathe easily, and her mind started to clear.
When she noticed Nathaniel was carrying her out of the parking lot, she jumped out of his arms like a
frightened cat. “Where are you taking me?”
Nathaniel furrowed his brows at the sudden feeling of emptiness in his arms. “To the hospital for a
thorough checkup.”
Seeing that it was almost ten o’clock, she hurriedly waved her hand in refusal. “I’m fine. I’ve got to hurry
back for thepetition.”
If I don’t get there in time, they’ll take it as a voluntary withdrawal from thepetition! I don’t have
time to chit-chat! Turning around, she started walking back.
As Nathaniel followed behind her, he observed that she did not seem out of breath and was walking
faster than him. He sighed quietly, then hurried after her.
Thepetition had already begun by the time she arrived at the venue. She hastily prepared the
clothes and approached a staff member to ask for her model.
The staff member asked for her name, checked the list, and said brusquely, “You werete, so the
model left.”
Christina stared at the person in disbelief and asked frantically. “Left? Then what am I going to do?”
“How am I supposed to know that? The rules are clear. Anyone who’ste won’t get a model. Why are
you ming me for having no concept of time?” The staff member gave a cold snort and bustled away.
Even while stuck in that elevator, I didn’t have such a sense of despair. However, now that I don’t have
a model, it feels as though my whole world is crashing down! One shouldn’t underestimate the effect of
how a model carries an
outfit. Someone with a tall, thin frame and fair skin will give off an entirely different vibe from someone
with darker skin and shorter stature. What am I to do now that I don’t have a model?
Tina, who was helping her model into her gown, cast Christina a mocking nce out of the corner of
eye. Even the heavens can’t save you this time. I’ve got this in the bag!
her
At that moment, a staff member walked over and hollered, “Get ready to go on. Tina! Next up is
Christina!”
Tina uttered an acknowledgment and led her model backstage to prepare.
Meanwhile, Christina stared at the gown inside the ck bag and fell silent.
Radiant Corporation announced the designpetition on its official website a week ago, attracting the
attention of many young people. The venue was packed with spectators, and seated in the front row
were the judges-Gina, Yosef, Zachary, andn-who could be considered rtively high-ranking. in the
company
Tina’s model strutted down the runway, and the judges quickly gave their scores.
Then, the host announced. “Now, let’s wee our next designer, Christina Steele, to showcase her
design!”
The music continued ring, but no one appeared at the top of the runway for a long time.
What’s going on? Even if they’re slow, there can’t possibly still be nobody there even after ten seconds!
The host lowered his head and was about to announce the next designer when gasps and
exmations of surprise went up from the audience.
Everyone’s gaze was locked on the runway.
Under the blinding white lights, a slender figure emerged. The gown had multipleyers of pale pink
chiffon and white organza under the bottom half, giving the skirt its fuller volume, while the top featured
a strapless design in a champagne color. The woman slowly walked toward the center of the
stage.
She wore no makeup on her delicate face. Her skin was fair and wless, her eyes sparkled like
diamonds, she had a straight nose, and her lips were rosy red. She was simply beautiful beyond
compare. With the rays of light shining upon her, the audience thought they had seen an angel.
Everyone whipped out their phones and began snapping photos of her in a frenzy.
The designers backstage were also dumbfounded. Didn’t they say Christina’s model left?
However, a closer look revealed that the woman walking down the runway was none other than
Christina herself!
She had not bothered with makeup, not even applying any foundation to her face. Instead, she had
only swiped on some lipstick and let her long hair flow down to her waist. Even so, she was more
beautiful than the other models who had dolled up meticulously.
Christina walked off the stage, and several other designers proceeded to showcase their designs. After
that, thepetition came to an end.
The host took the list containing the name of that night’s winner from the judges. When he called out
Christina’s name, the audience erupted into cheers.
There was no suspense in the results. Even those in the audience who did not understand the first
thing about design had already chosen Christina as the winner in their hearts.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd stood up and pointed at Christina while yelling angrily. “This woman
yed dirty! She must’ve bribed the judges ores from a privileged background. Hurry, let’s all
report her!”
The man was holding his phone and live-streaming the scene, which instantly stirred up amotion.
Even though several security guards stepped forward to stop him, he continued shouting. “That gown
she designed is a piece of garbage! Are the judges blind?”