Shattered Vows: Call Me Auntie Now novel Chapter 62

"Miss, you don't meet the registration requirements for the Lumina Fashion Competition. I can't accept these materials."

Quinn blinked in surprise, her brow furrowing slightly as she looked at him in total confusion.

"Why not? I cross-checked every single rule listed for the event."

"Whether it's my resume, professional experience, past awards, or portfolio requirements, I meet every single criterion. There are absolutely no violations."

"I am the official reviewer, and what I say goes."

Tara, having instantly decided she loathed the man, stormed right up to the desk.

"Who do you think you are? You've got quite the attitude."

The man's face darkened, and he shot a glare at Tara.

"I enforce the rules around here. If I say she can't register, she can't. Anyone who isn't a participant needs to leave immediately."

"Rules?" Tara scoffed, planting both hands firmly on the edge of the desk.

"The competition's bylaws are printed in black and white right outside. We checked them line by line. On what grounds are you rejecting her for absolutely no reason?"

As she spoke, Tara glanced around at the two long lines of applicants still waiting to submit their forms.

She deliberately raised her voice. "Or does the Lumina Fashion Competition run on rigged backdoor deals? Are you just picking and choosing based on who bribed you?"

The surrounding crowd murmured nervously, expressions shifting as doubt began to spread through the room.

Quinn pushed down the anger rising in her chest and maintained her composure. "Please give me a specific reason. Are my documents incomplete, or are my qualifications lacking? You can't just throw out an application on a whim."

She had fully expected that during the competition, she might face sabotage from well-connected rivals like Vivienne.

But she had never imagined she would get blocked at the registration desk.

Clearly, she was being targeted.

Someone was malicious enough to try and strip her of the opportunity to even participate.

The man's expression remained icy. "If you must know, I'll enlighten you."

"That old scandal was cleared up years ago. Someone stole her sketches and tried to frame her."

"Anyone with decent industry connections knows the truth. You're just playing dumb and digging up ancient rumors specifically to block her application."

Tara pinned him with a razor-sharp stare. "Let me guess, buddy. Someone slipped you a nice fat check to abuse your power and keep her out?"

"That's completely absurd!" The man's eyes darted away, unable to meet her gaze.

Dante had been about to leave for a sudden company emergency, but the commotion surrounding Quinn made him stop in his tracks.

Right on cue, Vivienne emerged from the restroom, looking completely put together and glamorous once more.

She walked up to Dante, noticing his gaze fixed on the registration desk. "Dante, I just heard the crowd whispering. Apparently, the organizers found out about Quinn's old plagiarism scandal and are refusing to let her compete."

She sighed with faux sympathy. "It would be awful if she couldn't participate. She'll be so devastated. Maybe we should..."

Before Vivienne could even finish her sentence, Dante was already striding toward Quinn.