The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 30

"Move," Victoria said, her expression cold.

"Fine." Rose took half a step, then suddenly yelped, "Oh, dear, Designer Sanger, I'm so sorry. My ankle seems to be hurting. I don't think I can move. What should I do?"

The corridor was just wide enough for two people to pass. Rose's small step had placed her directly in the middle, blocking Victoria no matter which way she tried to go.

"Childish and stupid."

Rose's triumphant smirk froze on her face. Her temper flared. "What did you say?! Victoria, who do you think you are, talking to me like that? Do you really think I'm going to just take that?!"

"Willingly letting yourself be used as someone's pawn. If that's not stupid, what is? Rose, don't tell me you actually thought you could trap me here just by standing in the way?" Victoria shot her a scornful look, then glanced coolly at the other members of Team Two who were secretly watching them from a distance.

"Rose, your team's failure wasn't my fault. It was because you were all too arrogant, insisting on your own ideas without any regard for the client's needs. Acting like this now just makes your whole team look like a bunch of pathetic clowns!"

Rose's face flushed out of anger. "You..."

Victoria checked her watch. The exhibition would be over in less than half an hour. She had no time to waste on Rose.

"Rose, I'll say it one last time. Move."

"I won't! What are you gonna do about—Ah!"

Before she could finish, Victoria walked forward and shoved her aside, striding past without a second glance.

"Victoria!!"

Rose shrieked in fury, but Victoria ignored her, bending down to pick up her papers one by one.

Just as she reached for the last sheet, a delicate, slender hand got to it first.

"The Euro-American Architectural Design Awards application form?"

Genevieve's voice came from above. Victoria straightened up and saw her smiling, holding the paper. Genevieve turned to Elias beside her and said pointedly, "Elias, this is the competition I was telling you about a few days ago. What a coincidence that Miss Sanger is also applying."

Genevieve lowered her eyes, looking thoroughly wronged.

"Please give my application form back," Victoria said, her voice tight.

Genevieve bit her lip and handed it over, her face a mask of sincerity. "Victoria, I'm on the judging panel for the national selection round. If you need any help during the competition, I can..."

"I don't need it."

Victoria snatched the form and was about to leave when Rose's sharp, mocking voice cut through the air. "Of course she doesn't need help! Someone who only knows how to copy other people's work doesn't even deserve to be in a competition like this!!"

Victoria froze, her face draining of all color.

"What? Surprised I know? Victoria, I was in that competition back in college too!" Rose strutted up to her, her face alight with triumph. She pointed a finger at Victoria and shouted, "Everyone! Victoria is a plagiarist! In college, she stole her own roommate's design and then bullied her into jumping off a building to prove her innocence!"

Victoria stared at her, her hand clutching the application form so tightly her knuckles turned white.