Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier) novel Chapter 242

Chapter 242 

Upon seeing Sarah’s demeanor, Gloria felt a wave of frustration rise in her chest. It would significantly diminish the competition’s credibility and tamish her reputation if rumors of Avelon Designs having insider manipulation spread. 

Gloria could only keep a close eye on Lily to prove there were no hidden dealings she wouldn’t hesitate to use her special authority to eliminate Lily from the competition if she found any evidence of manipulation 

Sarah was 

was well aware of Gloria’s special authority card. It was a powerful tool that could disqualify contestants unconditionally and ensure advancement. 

Sarah found it difficult to manipulate the situation any further with Xavier accompanying her to the event and Terence overseeing matters. 

Hopefully, Lily could withstand Gloria’s senatiny as a veteran judge who was famously ruthless in the industry. 

Lily suddenly felt a probing gaze directed at her in the seating area of contestants. She fourul it impossible to ignore. 

She followed the source of the gaze and met Gloria’s gaze. She had heard of Gloria but had never met her in person 

It caught her off guard to be scrutinized like this on their first encounter especially so openly and under the watchful eyes of others. 

She offered a faint smile out of politeness as a greeting. Then, her gaze swept briefly over Sarah, and she began to understand. 

Her work was ranked prominently among the contestants. It wasn’t long before her work was announced with her professional alias, Layla, displayed beneath it. The reporters followed the proceedings closely, capturing only the designs instead of the designers themselves 

Lily received an invitation to advance to the third round of competition two hours later. She needed to return to this hotel for a closed–door contest in three days. The one month divorce cooling–off period would be over by the time the third round concluded 

Herties to Xaver would be completely severed it she could make it through the third round and finalize the divorce before the fourth. Then, Sarah might finally leave her alone. 

Lily couldn’t hide her happiness as she exited in an orderly manner and queued up to catch a cab 

Meanwhile, Xavier sat in his Chronova and pursed his lips as he looked at her happy face. He couldn’t believe that she had made it through. He had seen her design. It was indeed impressive. 

He felt an inexplicable sense of crisis. It felt as if she were slipping out of his grasp. 

The crowd had erupted in amazement when her design was displayed earlier. Her talent had clearly surpassed his assumption. 

Sarah emerged from the hotel and opened the passenger door to get in She fastened her seatbelt as she said, “The judge sitting next to me earlier was Gloria. She’s from Avelon Designs. She’s known for her uncompromising principles and was scrutinizing Ms. Joyner earlier. 

“Xavier, should we have a word with Ms. Townsend? 

“A word about what? Xavier frowned so deeply and looked at her puzzledly. 

“Xavier, you don’t actually believe Lily could suddenly possess the raw talent to make such a splash in the design field after being a housewife for two years, do you?” 

Sarah was practically one step away from outright telling Xavier that the only reason Lily was selected and her work had caused such an uproar upon its reveal was entirely due to manipulation behind the scene 

There was no need for her to spell it out. He could guess the rest. It was Terence. 

However, he didn’t care about insider dealings or how Lily won the competition. What bothered him was that the person who helped her was T