I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 192

She had been placed in the same group as Franklin Foster.

Franklin seemed to recognize her, offering a polite nod in greeting.

His humble and courteous demeanor was a far cry from the rumors Lyra had heard.

Many claimed he was arrogant and condescending, throwing his weight around just because he was talented. Others whispered that he hadn't left his previous firm just for health reasons, but because he had fiercely offended upper management.

From what she could see now, Lyra could hardly connect him with the man from the rumors.

After the judges announced the prompt, each contestant was given thirty minutes.

Upon submitting their designs, they had to present their core concepts to the panel.

Maxwell sat in the audience. As he watched Lyra speak with effortless eloquence on stage, she seemed to radiate a blinding brilliance.

She was absolutely dazzling.

Why had he been so blind to it in the past?

Her beauty wasn't just skin-deep; it was amplified by the profound confidence she exuded from the inside out.

"Who is this contestant? I've never heard of her before. She's stunning."

"I heard she's from Metropolis. She's supposedly a wealthy heiress."

"No wonder. I wonder if she has a boyfriend."

...

The murmurs around him drifted into Maxwell's ears, causing him to clench his fists.

If those past events hadn't happened, he could be standing proudly by Lyra's side right now, basking in the envious stares of the crowd.

He wanted to win Lyra back.

That thought had never faded.

But now, something had shifted.

He wanted to completely trap Lyra by his side, leaving no room for escape.

She finally withdrew her gaze, muttering to herself as she slowly shook her head.

She figured her nerves were just frayed from the intense competition, or maybe she hadn't gotten enough sleep.

After finishing her meal, Lyra wasn't in a rush to grab a cab. The restaurant wasn't far from the hotel, so she decided to take a leisurely stroll back to digest her food.

Along the way, she could still feel that lingering stare.

A sense of unease crept in, and Lyra's guard shot up.

Upon reaching the hotel entrance, Lyra stopped in her tracks. She spun around, her sharp eyes catching a fleeting shadow darting through the bushes.

Lyra froze, her heart skipping a beat as she realized someone was actually stalking her.

But when she had walked through a secluded alley earlier, the stalker could have easily made a move.

Whether this person was a friend or foe, she had no way of knowing yet. But one thing was certain: they had been tracking her ever since she set foot in Averston.

Without lingering, she headed straight into the hotel.