Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 402

Sierra was still lost in her daydreams, but Sharee, right next to her, looked like she’d just seen a ghost.

Wait, what? They were really supposed to go up on stage and face everyone? Sharee felt her legs turn to jelly. There was no way she could do it. She tugged at Sierra’s sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. “Sierra, what do we do? I can’t go up there.”

Sierra glanced at her, clearly unimpressed. “What are you so scared of? We’re just telling the truth.” She gave a little huff, squared her shoulders, and marched straight for the stage.

Jenny clearly had people backing her up. Why couldn’t they speak out? Other people might not know what was really going on, but Sierra did. If she didn’t say something now, what was the point of calling this a fair competition? She wanted Blake, and everyone else, to see she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself.

Once Sierra started walking, Luna took a deep breath and followed. Sharee was terrified, but with everyone watching, she had no choice but to follow along.

Soon, all three of them were standing on stage. Lydia turned to Luna first. “Luna, could you repeat exactly what these two told you?”

Luna nodded and repeated their words, just as Lydia asked.

The crowd started buzzing right away.

Wait, Jenny was just a receptionist at the company? She wasn’t even a designer? And she’d managed to win first place in an international competition just because she liked design and had connections? It sounded impossible—like some kind of joke.

Jenny listened to Luna’s words, her face turning pale. She quickly raised her hand. The host nodded for her to speak.

“I’d like to come up and explain. I want to clear this up and prove myself.”

This was Jenny’s first time in France, her first time standing in front of such a huge crowd. She was nervous, but she couldn’t let people get the wrong idea about her, or about Mr. Norwood and Lydia. She’d rather give up first place than let them get dragged into this mess.

“I interviewed at your company once. Jenny was at the front desk. I even asked her which floor the interview was on.”

Lydia gave her a long look. “So, you just asked her for directions? Nothing else?”

Sierra’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to hide her nerves with a smile. “Maybe there were misunderstandings between us. Maybe you didn’t pick me because I’m not good enough. But if you ignore the rules and help your own people get ahead, isn’t that unfair to everyone else?”

The crowd erupted again, even louder than before.

Was there even more to this story?

Sierra’s words hit home for Evalina, who was standing in the crowd. She was convinced now that Lydia hadn’t chosen her because she’d somehow upset her, even though her work was obviously good enough.