I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 248

In an instant, public opinion flipped, and the crowd’s anger turned on Jonas.

York seized the moment. “He’s just jealous! The first-place winner is the Design Director at Star Corp., personally recruited by Mr. Taylor for her incredible talent. She doesn’t need to pull strings. I overheard this man threatening our director, telling her to drop out, and that’s why I said what I said on the phone.”

The jeers grew louder. No one believed I had cheated anymore. You don’t just become a Design Director for nothing. Even if there was something going on between me and the sponsor, it was a matter of poor character, not a lack of skill. My integrity could be questioned, but my ability could not.

Amidst the storm of criticism, Jonas looked up at me, his face a mask of disbelief. “She’s… she’s the Design Director? How can she be the Design Director? I thought she was just a former housewife who recently got a job.”

A rare look of surprise flickered across Steven’s face.

Mr. Taylor and Mr. Lee turned to me, their eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

“You little rascal, you’re already a director?”

“What’s so strange about that? You saw her talent. It’s exceptional. Are you really surprised?”

“Gentlemen, I am currently the Design Director for Star Corp. You can call me Kardia.” I smiled gracefully, my poise making me seem all the more credible, completely ignoring Jonas’s ashen face.

I guessed he had assumed I was just a regular employee and had chosen to hitch his wagon to Linda’s star. Now, discovering that my star was much brighter, he was filled with regret.

He shot a glare at Mr. Lee. “You old coot, why are you trying to steal my student? I already said she’s mine.”

At those words, Steven froze. His dark eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on me. Out of my line of sight, his fingers clenched into a fist, his handsome face tightening as he began to piece something together.

Linda and Jonas were speechless with disbelief. Jonas looked at me as if he’d seen a ghost, then turned back to Mr. Taylor, desperate. “Mr. Taylor, wasn’t Linda the student you wanted to accept? How could it be Zephyra?”

Mr. Taylor shot him an annoyed look. “Who’s Linda? Don’t associate me with strangers.”

He turned back to the audience, his voice booming with pride. “As many of you know, I have been searching for a final protégé for many years. It took me five years and multiple attempts, but there has only ever been one person I wanted to take under my wing. And that person is today’s first-place winner, Zephyra—”