Chapter 192

Chapter 192:

Yet now, she commanded the stage with undeniable confidence and grace. This was an image of Sadie he had never witnessed before.

Their eyes connected, Sadie’s gaze steady and unflinching. It had been three years, and now she was finally standing on an equal footing with him—perhaps even higher. The days when she felt overshadowed by him were a distant memory.

A cool smile briefly touched her lips, carrying no real warmth.

Within herself, Sadie felt calm, even a hint of self-satisfaction evident. “Thank you, everyone. It’s an honor to be here today as the chief judge of Vision Clash…”

With elegance, she approached the judges’ table and sat down.

Noah watched Sadie shine on stage, his emotions a tangled mess. “Sandra? How could she possibly be Sandra?” A piercing voice shattered the silence in the hall.

Melina Barker, known in the design department for her close ties with Jordyn, couldn’t hide her shock. She exclaimed sharply, “We’ve never seen Sandra before. Who’s to say this is truly her? Could this be an impersonator exploiting the situation?”

No sooner had she spoken than murmurs rippled through the crowd. Skeptical eyes turned towards Sadie. Contestants whispered to each other, puzzled over the authenticity of this young woman claiming to be Sandra.

The committee members appeared unsettled. Having never encountered Sandra in person, they were at a loss on how to handle the rising skepticism.

Sadie’s demeanor did not waver. She rose gracefully and advanced to the center of the stage.

“I recognize that my presence here today might come as a surprise. Given that Sandra has remained out of the public eye, your skepticism regarding my identity is understandable,” she said.

Sadie’s eyes swept the room, finally resting on Melina. A soft smile played on her lips. “Since there seems to be some doubt about my identity as Sandra, I’ll let the quality of my work do the talking.”

Melina squirmed under Sadie’s steady gaze but managed to maintain her composure. “That sounds fine in theory, but what assurance do you have that your designs aren’t just imitations?”

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With a light laugh, Sadie responded, “Imitations? How about this: I design something on the spot. Let’s take ‘Neo Metropolis’ as the theme. Both the judges and the audience can be our witnesses.” She looked around, addressing the competitors. “Anyone feeling confident in their skills is more than welcome to participate.”

This challenge stirred excitement throughout the venue. From his seat, Noah watched Sadie intently, admiring her confidence on stage.

The next three hours flew by, filled with an evident blend of tension and energy. Seated at the judges’ table, Sadie was a picture of concentration, engrossed in her crafting.

As time expired, one by one, contestants presented their designs. Displayed on the large screen were a variety of futuristic, urban-themed jewelry designs.

When Sadie’s creation was revealed, it stood out with its innovative use of tourmaline, creating a piece that combined clarity with a futuristic aesthetic, making it almost seem to leap out at the viewer. The room initially fell into a hushed awe, soon replaced by a resounding round of applause.

Sadie’s colleagues from the design department at Wall Group exchanged looks of disbelief, their expressions revealing their astonishment. Melina’s complexion drained of color, her lips trembling, yet she found herself speechless.

Throughout it all, Sadie remained cool and collected, her thoughts clear and undisturbed. She had anticipated such a result. To her, the contest was merely a minor hurdle.

Breaking the prevailing silence, Noah rose to his feet.

“Melina’s design deserves recognition too. It’s quite creative.” His voice resonated deeply, tinged with a subtle hint of advocacy.

Sadie’s eyes lingered on Noah momentarily. He retained his polished, suave demeanor, yet his gaze seemed more enigmatic now. A faint stir of emotion rippled through Sadie. Naturally, he was speaking up for his employee—perfectly understandable.

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