Bride To Be Not Me (Janice and Simon) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 

Yvonne spotted Janice from afar. Her reaction was a mix of surprise and delight. 

Janice had really left Refined Threads Co. and joined Prosper Stitch Group. Thoughts began to swirl in Yvonne’s mind. Could Janice bring her along to the new company? 

After all, joining such a large corporation alone without her own team was no small feat. Yvonne was worried about Janice’s situation. 

“Now, let’s welcome Prosper Stitch Group to present their submission,” announced the host. 

Astaff member, wearing gloves and handling the crochet piece with meticulous care, placed the piece onto a tray and delivered it to 

the stage. 

The five judges, all senior experts in the field, also wore gloves and examined each submission closely, using magnifying glasses to inspect the intricate stitches and designs. 

The process of the crochet competition was straightforward. A hundred people were randomly selected just fifteen minutes before the event began. Phones were being kept away, and the audience was forbidden from communicating with anyone outside the venue. 

Security personnel stood guard, ensuring strict adherence to the rules. 

In the first round, the judging panel anonymously selected five pieces from the submissions. In the second round, the selected pieces were presented to the audience for voting to determine the top three. 

Everything was anonymous. No one knew which plece belonged to which company. Even the staff handling the submissions were from the National Heritage Bureau, so cheating in the competition was out of the question. 

The hall was silent. Seating arrangements ensured significant distance between competing companies, making casual conversations impossible. 

The waiting was excruciating. But for Simon, it was unbearable. He desperately wanted Refined Threads Co. to make it to the finals. 

The Fall Tournament was crucial. After the Winter Tournament, the champions of each season would compete in the grand finals. The ultimate winner would represent the country in the international Crochet Design Championship. 

The stakes were monumental, and every detail mattered. 

Janice, on the other hand, trusted her abilities. Still, competitions were unpredictable. What if her style didn’t appeal to a particular judge? It would only take one unfavorable opinion to knock her out of the running. 

Fifteen companies meant fifteen submissions, and each plece was vying for attention. 

Janice’s gaze remained fixed on the host, who had just stepped out from behind the curtain. 

The host announced. “Thank you for your patience, everyone. The five selected pieces have been chosen. They will now be displayed on the big screen. Let’s invite our hundred guests to cast their votes!” 

Applause broke out, but the charged atmosphere in the room was almost tangible, as if every heartbeat echoed with anticipation. 

Edward, who was seated beside Janice, noticed her hands clenching slightly. 

“What’s there to be nervous about?” he asked, his tone casual. 

Jarice replied, her voice steady. “I know my worth, but of course, I hope my work gets selected, too.” 

Edward glanced at her but said nothing more. After a pause, he added softly, “Even if you lose, you’re still the leader of the Product Division at Prosper Stitch Group.” 

His words were both a reassurance and a safety net. 

Janice’s heart trembled. The sentiment felt so unfamiliar. In the past seven years, Simon had never comforted her like this. 

The tension was palpable as the screen began displaying high–definition images of the selected pieces.