I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 66

**Through Silent Meadows We Trace Stories Left Behind Yesterday by Asa Rowan Flint**
**Chapter 66**

“Not saying a word? Are you utterly captivated by Liora’s latest masterpiece?” Celine’s voice was laced with a teasing edge, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sophie turned her head slightly, glancing at Celine with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. “You’re really a devoted fan of Liora, aren’t you?”

Didn’t these fans see how this piece deviated from Liora’s typical style? It was perplexing.

Celine rolled her eyes dramatically. “Sophie, please, don’t stir the pot. My admiration for Liora is as genuine as it gets. I’ve devoured every single one of his posts countless times. How could I not recognize his work?”

“Two years ago, Liora shared a sketch of this very design on his platform. So, piece number eight must be Liora’s creation!” Celine asserted confidently, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

The murmurs of intrigue rippled through the crowd as those in the back leaned in, eager to catch every word.

“Is piece number eight truly Liora’s? I mean, I just looked at number six earlier, and it felt much more like his signature style,” one voice chimed in, a hint of confusion coloring their tone.

“I’m caught between number eight and number six too. But after some careful comparison, I believe number six embodies Liora’s essence more profoundly, while number eight resembles his work but feels slightly off,” another voice added, uncertainty creeping into their words.

“Let’s not argue about this. I’ve already dug up Liora’s post from two years back, and he indeed uploaded the sketch for piece number eight. So it has to be his!” Celine insisted, her confidence unwavering.

Raising an eyebrow, Sophie interjected, “The contestant behind piece number six is clearly just trying to ride on Liora’s coattails. They’ve deliberately copied his style. Don’t be misled, everyone.”

“People who latch onto others’ fame should just vanish! I almost cast my vote for him by mistake!” someone else exclaimed, their frustration evident.

“Quick, vote for number eight! Liora is bound to win!”

Sophie’s gaze deepened as she absorbed their conversation. A sudden realization struck her: this was precisely why Liam had chosen to enter this piece in the competition.

Liora’s fans must have seen that post, and it dawned on her that most of the audience had come specifically because of Liora’s reputation.

Everyone had already made up their minds that piece number eight was Liora’s, and even if it had glaring flaws, the fans would support it simply due to their affection for Liora.

No wonder Liam had confidently declared that as long as Liora was in the running, victory was guaranteed. This had all been part of the strategy from the start!

Liam was far more astute than she had initially given him credit for!

Meanwhile, viewers tuning into the live broadcast online began to buzz with excitement, their discussions echoing similar sentiments.

Marcus, having seen Liora’s original drafts, was acutely aware of which piece belonged to him.

As he scrolled through to piece number six, a wave of recognition washed over him, sending a powerful tremor deep within him.

Piece number six resonated with him, evoking the same feelings he had experienced when he first encountered Liora’s work—seemingly tranquil on the surface, yet brimming with unyielding ambition beneath.

This was intriguing—piece number six and piece number eight were both contenders.

“Take me to the Grand Theater,” Marcus commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The driver nodded, swiftly maneuvering the car around.

At the Grand Theater, Celine engaged in light conversation with the others, but soon she noticed Sophie’s quiet demeanor.

Her eyes narrowed as she intentionally redirected the conversation toward Sophie. “Sophie, who did you end up voting for?”

“Number six,” Sophie replied, her fingers still flying over her tablet.

Celine scoffed, a mocking lilt to her voice. “Please don’t tell me you genuinely believe number six isn’t a counterfeit? I mean, you did study jewelry design in college, but you’ve never truly immersed yourself in the design world. It’s no wonder you can’t distinguish the genuine from the imitation.”

Sophie set her tablet aside, her expression steady. “Number six is the authentic work of Liora. Number eight is merely a half-finished piece.”

Feeling the urge to escape for some fresh air, Sophie attempted to sidestep Celine, but Celine blocked her path with an insistent grin.

As the grand doors slowly creaked open, a beam of white light illuminated the figure standing at the entrance, casting a spotlight on his tall and elegant form.

Gasps of surprise and excitement filled the room as eyes turned toward him.

Marcus stood there in a sleek black shirt, the top buttons casually undone. He held his suit jacket in his left hand with an effortless grace, radiating both nobility and a hint of rebellion.

His impeccably tailored trousers accentuated his long legs, and every step he took seemed to draw the attention of the women present, their gazes lingering on him.

Today, Marcus appeared different. He had shed his usual icy demeanor, opting instead to showcase a more charming side.

As if drawn by an invisible thread, Marcus’s gaze locked onto Sophie’s.

She had no chance to avert her eyes, and her heart skipped a beat, ensnared by his intense stare. The air around her felt like it had stilled.

His reaction to her surprise brought a faint smile to Marcus’s lips, a look of satisfaction that sent a flutter through Sophie’s chest.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he maintained his gaze on her, gradually making his way closer. The forbidden thrill of the moment made Sophie’s heart race even faster.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

It felt as if something inside her was on the verge of breaking free…

“Mr. Morgan, what brings you here?” Celine interjected, standing up and positioning herself between Sophie and Marcus, greeting him with an overly flirtatious gesture.

When Marcus had entered, she had noticed him glancing in their direction. Confident that he had been looking at her, Celine thought perhaps he felt pity for her after the previous incident.

Maybe Marcus felt guilty about what had happened last time and was simply showing her some kindness!

But Marcus’s expression turned icy as he ignored Celine completely, striding purposefully toward Sophie.