Love’s Change of Heart novel Chapter 380
Robert walked over to stand beside Queenie and remarked approvingly, "Not bad. At least you didn't embarrass me."
The corners of Queenie's mouth lifted into a smile. It was just as she had claimed; the championship had always belonged to her from the beginning, whether it was the competition three years ago or the competition that had just ended.
This was her true strength.
He glanced at the judges and organizers standing not far away. "I made a reservation at the hotel under your name. You should properly express your gratitude and discuss your future cooperation with them while you're at it."
She nodded. "Okay."
At this moment, somebody came over and called upon Robert. Thus, he left with that person.
Meanwhile, she glanced around and noticed Violet was just about to leave. So she hurriedly rushed over and called out to Violet. "Miss Kramer."
Violet turned around and glanced at Queenie with an air of arrogance. "What is it?"
"I…"
"Oh, right." She continued, "I have yet to congratulate you on your win. Well? How does it feel to win?"
Queenie pursed her lips for a moment before she responded. "Thank you, Miss Kramer. About Elliot…"
Violet giggled. "Elliot? Oh, that's right. There was that incident involving him. You couldn't possibly think that I only helped you to win over Elliot, right? The other two over there were much more difficult to handle than him."
Queenie followed Violet's gaze and discovered that the people Violet mentioned were two of the judges who were very well-established in the design industry. The sight stunned her for a moment. "What do you mean, Miss Kramer?"
Violet clicked her tongue in exasperation. "Naturally, I'm saying that you obtained victory because of me. You would have been eliminated in the semi-finals if it weren't for me. To be honest, although I hate that little vixen to the core, she is certainly more talented than you. Your passion is lacking; you should train for another two years."
After she said her piece, she swung her bag over her shoulder and sashayed out of the building.
Queenie stared at Violet's departing figure, her complexion turning pale.
No… No, it can't be…
Although Elliot had helped her in the semi-finals, she had simply been preserving her skills at the time. The championship would have belonged to her even without him! Her work was definitely a hundred times better than Leanna's!
At this time, her phone rang. When she saw the unknown number on her phone, she couldn't help scowling and hanging up without any hesitation.
Alas, that number called again a short while later. She lost her temper and answered the call.
"Hello, is this Miss Wojzicki? I am calling from Mercy Hospital…"
"Are you insane? Stop calling me!"
After she yelled into her phone, she repeatedly jabbed her fingers against the screen of her phone to end the call.
At this moment, Elliot brushed past her and deliberately bumped into her with his shoulder. It was a reminder so that she did not forget about their promise tonight. Then, he sauntered away with an ambiguous smile on his face.
As soon as Elliot left, Robert strode over. "It's almost time. Let's go."
She suppressed the nausea surging in the pit of her stomach and nodded.
…
Not long after Leanna sent the message to Daphne, a reply came from her. It just so happened that she was free for the day, so she decided to join them.
As for the others, they were the ladies from the studio. This get-together was unlike the previous one, which everybody had attended with their respective partners. Therefore, Leanna did not allow Aidan to accompany her.
Aidan was puzzled and asked with great displeasure, "Why can't I go?"
Leanna patiently explained, "It's a whole group of girls. Won't you feel embarrassed and awkward if you came along?"
"Nope."
"But, I will."
He retorted, "Then, you should just get over it."
She couldn't help pouting. "Please don't go. I'll treat you to a private dinner tomorrow, alright?"
When he heard her offer, he mulled in silence for a moment. "Only for dinner?"
"Yeah. What else were you expecting?"
"Since you don't allow me to attend today, don't you think you should compensate me a little?"
The messages from the group chat kept flooding in. The ladies from the studio and Daphne had already arrived at the venue. Unfortunately, she was the only person left who had yet to arrive.
At this moment, she was desperate to placate him so she could leave quickly. Thus, she carelessly nodded in agreement. "Fine. We'll talk about it tomorrow."
While she spoke, she opened the car door to leave.
He grabbed her hand tightly and pulled her back in. "You can only leave after we've come to an agreement."
As she noticed that he was being extraordinarily clingy and persistent, she decided to lean over and peck him on his thin lips. Then, she hurriedly fled while he was not paying attention.
All the others had already arrived by the time she arrived at the private room.
Leanna took a seat, and Daphne came over to gossip. "Where's President Pearson? I can't believe he actually allowed you to come alone!"
At the mention of Aidan's name, Leanna couldn't help fidgeting nervously. "There are only women here. So why would he come?" She randomly came up with a reason without the slightest change in her expression. "Besides, he is busy with his company affairs."
Zoe leaned over when she heard those words. "There's still Louis. President Pearson would not have been alone."
Leanna was taken aback. "Did you invite him?"
"That's right." Zoe added in a whisper, "These young ladies have been harassing me all afternoon, asking me to invite him. So, I casually invited him to come."
"Is he coming?"
"I think he's nearly here."
Leanna said, "Okay."
Beside them, Daphne maintained a bland smile on her face and stayed out of the conversation.
Ten minutes later, the door to the private room swung open. Louis had arrived.
He had removed the bandage on his hand. Only two band-aids remained on the bridge of his nose and his lower jaw.
As there were no other seats open aside from a seat next to Daphne's, he only hesitated for two seconds before he walked over and sat down.
A few young ladies swooned at the sight of him, and they practically spammed messages in the group chat feverishly.
'Oh, my God! How is he so handsome?'
'Why are the genes in their family so strong? I'm so jealous! I'm so envious!'
'It feels like that band-aid is stuck on my heart! How is he so handsome?'
'I've decided! I'm going to break up with my boyfriend tonight, so I can openly drool over this handsome young man!'
'Please! Be sure to ask what type of girl he likes tonight! I can change myself for him!'
'I think it'll work. Didn't Zoe say that we'll be going Karaoke tonight? So let's do it, girls! Our victory or defeat depends on this!'
As everyone behaved themselves at the quiet dining table, the others were utterly oblivious to the dark undercurrents flowing beneath the surface.
On the contrary, Leanna noticed something else that was unusual. She swept her glance back and forth between Daphne and Louis. It felt as though there was an invisible sense of distance between them, even though they were sitting right next to each other.
Didn't I ask Louis to call and apologize last time? Did he not go? Or did they fail to reconcile with each other?
Zoe, who was out of the loop, raised the wine glass in front of her and made a toast at this time. "You've all worked hard during this period. At the same time, we are also celebrating Nana's first time receiving the second prize in the competition. Cheers!"
Everybody remained silent.
Leanna smiled, knowing that Zoe was trying to liven up the atmosphere and secretly comfort her simultaneously. If she set aside her grudge against Queenie, taking second place in a design competition of this level was certainly not a bad result.
Halfway through dinner, Leanna and Daphne went to the bathroom. Then, unexpectedly, they ran into Queenie and Robert while walking along the corridor.
The world sure was small indeed; it was only inevitable for enemies to encounter each other often.
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