The moment the news dropped, the room fell silent for a split second before exploding into chaos like a pot boiling over.


    "Holy crap! Are you serious? Kaylee''s part of the Rose Design Team?"


    "Isn''t she just a freshman? She only started studying fashion design a few months ago, right? Sure, she''s talented, but joining the Rose Design Team already?" The other contestants backstage were absolutely stunned.


    Kaylee had been keeping a low profile...


    If any of them were part of the Rose Design Team, they would have shouted it from the rooftops.


    The sneering and mocking looks aimed at Kaylee vanished, reced by envy, jealousy, and spite.


    Joining the Rose Design Team was every fashion designer''s dream! And Kaylee, just a freshman, had already made it. Her future was now limitless.


    Kaylee, on stage, was equally shocked.


    When did she join the Rose Design Team?


    But then it hit her-Flora must have been pulling strings behind the scenes...


    She scanned the audience, searching desperately for Flora.


    Finally, she spotted her in a corner.


    Flora gave her azy wave.


    Kaylee couldn''t hold back her tears any longer.


    "I finally get why Howell, who''s always swamped, showed up out of nowhere! Kaylee''s one of his protégés, and he came to support her!" Everyone btedly put the pieces together.


    They had all been curious about Howell''s sudden appearance. Now it all made sense.


    "No way..."


    Lily looked like she''d lost her soul.


    She had calcted everything but never imagined that Kaylee could be part of the Rose Design Team.


    Why Kaylee!


    "Contestant number 15, Lily, do you still insist that Kaylee giarized your work?" one of the judges asked, eyeing Lily with clear disdain.


    By now, it was obvious.


    Lily had giarized Kaylee''s work.


    She had two options.


    One, admit to giarism and apologize to Kaylee.


    Two, deny everything and face awsuit from the Rose Design Team, along with a massivepensation fee and being cklisted by all design teams. Anyone with half a brain knew what to do.


    Lily''s face went pale, her body trembling, as if she might copse any second. She looked pitiful.


    But no one felt sorry for her.


    Even her fans were deeply disappointed.


    "I... admit... I giarized Kaylee''s work..."


    Lily said, her voice strained, as if all her strength had been drained. She looked utterly defeated.


    Having said that, she couldn''t bear to stay on stage any longer. She covered her face and hurried off. Kaylee listened to the apology, choking back tears.


    If it weren''t for Howell and Flora, she would have been wrongfully used and branded a giarist for life.


    The drama finally ended, and thepetition continued.


    Kaylee left the stage, heading back to the backstage area.


    "Kaylee, you''ve been way too modest, being a designer for the Rose Design Team and not telling us."


    "Hey, have you ever met Rose herself? Do you have rtives working in the Rose Design Team?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Look, if we ever offended you before, please don''t hold it against us."


    A crowd of contestants gathered around her, their attitudes doing aplete 180.


    Kaylee politely responded a few times before retreating to her seat, choosing to ignore everyone else.