Every word of gossip felt like a sharp slap across the faces of the Wynn family.
Patrick's expression was exceptionally grim, his face burning with absolute shame and outrage.
Marianne, however, still refused to accept it. Wincing in pain, she tried to argue back. "What do they know?! What pebble, what diamond? Our Hailey was always the diamond! It's that little bitch who-"
Slap!
The veins in Patrick's forehead bulged dangerously as he delivered a vicious backhand to Marianne's face.
Look at the situation they were in.
And she was still obsessing over her precious Hailey.
If her Hailey was really that capable, she wouldn't have dumped all these massive settlements on their shoulders!
While chasing after Mr. Marcek, they had already stepped out of their shadowed
corner.
That resounding slap immediately drew the attention of the crowd trickling out of the venue.
Seeing the Wynns in such a pathetic, disheveled state.
The people who were just marveling over Queen's brilliance naturally weren't going
to miss out on the chance to vent some frustration on her behalf!
A few society ladies who had previously initiated conversation with Marianne over Hailey's designs.
Purposely strolled over.
Their mocking and sarcastic remarks burned the Wynns' faces with humiliation, leaving them unable to even lift their heads.
But the person they were waiting for still hadn't appeared, and they couldn't afford to leave just yet.
All they could do was keep their heads bowed low, violently suppressing their fury, cowering like rats in a corner as they endured the crowd's taunts and insults.
Their eyes stayed glued to the venue's exit, desperately waiting for their savior... to arrive!
***
In the back gardens of the
convention center, Daphne andet
few others were following closely behind Serena, their expressions filled with reverence.
Serena had just finished a grueling three-hour one-on-one mentoring session.
These young designers were especially fanatical.
Even she was starting to feel exhausted.
She rubbed her temples, the weight of the day finally showing in the weary set of her striking features.
Daphne, always incredibly
perceptive, quickly chimed in with a
bright smile: "Since you made an appearance at this competition. today the main exit is definitely drawing with reporters waiting to mob you for an interview."
"Mentor, why don't we sneak out the back? I'll go borrow a car from my assistant, I promise no one will spot us!"
The others had always viewed Queen, the absolute pinnacle of their industry, as their lifelong idol.
And just moments ago, they had witnessed Queen's brilliance firsthand as she mentored all the designers.
Every single point she raised, every piece of advice she offered, left them utterly staggered.
They had never imagined one could use that kind of design. That kind of composition. Those kinds of concepts.
By the second half of the banquet.
What was supposed to be Serena offering one-on-one guidance to the contestants.
Had effectively turned into a masterclass for them, too!
Right now, their admiration for Serena was completely off the charts!
Hearing Daphne's suggestion, they instantly started clamoring over each other. "You're the organizer today's event you have to stay
behin and manage the aftermath! We'll take her home! Let us drive her!"
BUMS
"Back off! She is my mentor!" Daphne saw right through their devious intentions.
"Don't even think about trying to usurp my position!"
The group crowded around Serena, desperately fighting for the chance to be the one to drive her home.