Lianne, Kevin, and I walked side by side.


    "This is amazing! We did it! It feels like a dream," Lianne eximed. She waved her arms in excitement.


    "Yeah, this is unbelievable! The judges recognized our work, and we even won the Best Creativity Award!" Iughed. I was overwhelmed with joy.


    However, Kevin''s reaction seemed a bit off. He appeared distracted. He was ncing around and slowing his pace.


    "Kevin, what''s wrong? Are you feeling okay?" I asked. My voice was filled with concern.


    He paused for a moment before shaking his head and forcing a smile. "I''m fine. I think I''m just stilling down from the stress of thepetition. By the way, Eve..." Kevin hesitated. His face turned a little red.


    "Hmm? What is it?" I tilted my head. I was curious about what he was about to say. "Are you going to reveal your little secret with Lianne? Hehe!"


    "Actually, what I''ve been meaning to say is... you... you''re even more..."


    Before he could finish, a rapid sound of footsteps suddenly interrupted Kevin''s words. We quickly turned and saw a group of people walking toward us. Carlos was at the forefront.


    Carlos was from a prestigious family overseas. His father was a well-known fashion mogul in Erudia, and his mother was an internationally renowned supermodel.


    Having grown up in luxury, Carlos carried an air of arrogance and superiority. He was used to using money and power to suppress others. His understanding of design was shallow and showy. He brought a group of burly bodyguards with him and closed in on us.


    "Oh, isn''t this our best designer, Evelyn?" Carlos said. A sarcastic smile curled at the corner of his mouth.


    "Carlos, what do you want?" I stood tall. I wasn''t afraid of him.


    "What do I want? I just came to congratte you on using your little tricks and shortcuts to win over the judges."


    Carlos advanced. The bodyguards behind him tightened the circle around us.


    Kevin sensed the danger and instinctively stepped in front of me. "That''s enough, Carlos! You''re just a sore loser. Stop embarrassing yourself."This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Carlosughed mockingly. "A sore loser? Kevin, you think too highly of yourself."


    He shook his head with disdain and shifted his gaze to me. "Evelyn, do you really think you can make it in the fashion industry with a few so-called ''creative ideas''? You''re so naive."  en


    He reached out and roughly grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.


    "You''re quite exquisite. How about youe with me? I''ll show you the true luxury and power of fashion. Otherwise, your mediocre designs will eventually get lost in themercial market."


    I pped his hand away with all my strength. My contempt for him grew by the second.


    "Carlos, you''re wrong. Design isn''t built on money and power. Ites from a passion and pursuit deep inside. The award we won today is a recognition of our hard work. It''s


    something you''ll never understand."


    My words seemed to strike a blow to Carlos'' pride. His face darkened. His eyes were burning with humiliation and rage.


    "Fine, Evelyn. You''ll soon understand that you''ve messed with the wrong person in this industry."


    He suddenly raised his hand, as if to p me.


    In that split second, Kevin, showing remarkable courage, threw a punch straight into Carlos''s jaw.


    With a loud thud, Carlos crumpled to the ground. Blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Evelyn, run!" Kevin shouted. He turned and stepped in front of me and Lianne.