Chapter 46 The Design Draft
Chapter 46 The Design Draft
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Eleanor stepped forward, but before she could speak, the director was already reprimanding
her.
“Eleanor, you’re the only one left who hasn’t turned in your draft. Stop holding everyone back. Miss Taylor has already handed hers in first.”
Zoey offered a humble smile, pretending to be modest.
Eleanor knew Zoey’s tricks. The moment she argued, Zoey would start playing the victim. She wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of a public show.
With a calm, detached tone, Eleanor said, “Sorry I’ll show you my draft now.”
She opened her bag, pulled out her sketchpad, and flipped it open–only to find it empty.
The drafts she’d carefully placed there were gone.
Before she could react, Zoey snatched the sketchpad from her hands and opened it in front of everyone.
The room fell silent, eyes locking onto the blank page. All eyes turned to Eleanor with a mixture of confusion and suspicion.
Feigning sympathy, Zoey spoke up, “Eleanor, it’s okay if you couldn’t come up with a design. But why lie to everyone?”
The other contestants shot Eleanor disapproving looks.
The director slammed his hand on the table, rising in anger. “Eleanor, this is unacceptable. You’ve taken a spot in the competition and now you’re being so careless? Do you even know what design is? Take a look at what real design looks like.”
With a snap of his fingers, the director spread Zoey’s design draft on the table.
Eleanor’s eyes went wide. It was her design.
Her head snapped up, staring at Zoey in shock.
Zoey wasn’t surprised at all by Eleanor’s reaction. She smiled faintly, almost mocking her, as if amused by Eleanor’s delusion.
She held up her own design with an air of superiority. “Eleanor, what do you think? I’m quite satisfied with it. That’s why I even preemptively applied for copyright certification–just in case some people decide to copy it.”
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Chapter 46 The Design Draft
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She placed emphasis on copying, as if making sure Eleanor understood that no matter what she said now, the design was already hers by law
Hearing this, Eleanor’s fists clenched, the pain in her palms a cruel reminder to keep her anger in check.
The director, pleased with Zoey’s victory, tucked the draft away and sneered at Eleanor.
further.” “Eleanor, you’d better withdraw now before you embarrass yourself any
Eleanor knew that’s exactly what Zoey wanted–lo force her out of the competition. But this time, she had taken precautions.
She’d intentionally left her original drafts in the drawer, knowing Julian would help Zoey swap them out. She had done everything to make sure Zoey thought the design in her hands. was her entry. It was meant to lull Zoey into a false sense of security.
So how has Zoey gotten my newly designed draft? Eleanor thought.
Eleanor’s gaze met Zoey’s, and the understanding hit her like a ton of bricks.
It was Elijah.
For Zocy, he was willing to go to any lengths.
Eleanor’s fist tightened again, her jaw set with defiance, as she cut through the director’s tirade.
“The organizers never said the design drafts had to be submitted today. They only required that we submit them a day before the competition for safekeeping.”
The director faltered, caught off guard, but quickly regained his composure. “Eleanor, you’ve got three designs, and even the samples will be hard to complete. Not to mention, your hand is still useless.”
“Thank you
for
your concern. I’ll manage,” Eleanor said, her tone cool and composed.
The director snorted and waved dismissively. “Fine, we’ll see about that. Everyone, get l
to work.”
Zoey gave Eleanor’s hand a scornful glance before turning and leaving.
As Eleanor walked back to the dorm, she was stopped by Avery.
“Miss Brown,” Avery said, politely. “Elijah is waiting for you in the car. Your hand needs to be rechecked.”
Eleanor smirked. “If my hand’s broken, then it’s convenient for me. I won’t even need Elijah’s
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Chapter 46 The Design Draft
help to withdraw from the competition.”
Avery looked confused, his voice low. “Miss Brown, Elijah, he…”
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“Elijah should spend more time with his girlfriend, so he doesn’t ruin their relationship. It have other things to take care of,” Eleanor interrupted, her words laced with bitterness.
She tried to walk around him, but Avery quickly stepped in her way.
“Miss Brown, Elijah is waiting for you,” he said, his words firm, almost like a reminder.
Eleanor understood–if she didn’t go, Avery would keep reminding her until she did.
She let out a deep breath. “Fine. Let’s go.”
Avery nodded, stepping aside to let her pass.
Eleanor climbed into the car, not noticing the excited figure walking toward her from a distance. But when Zoey saw her, she came to an abrupt stop.
Zoey stood still, glaring at the car as it drove away, her lips pressed together, her expression twisted with frustration.
The entire ride was silent, with Eleanor staring out of the window, lost in thought. Elijah, on the other hand, was focused on the documents in his hands, as though he hadn’t just sent her design over to Zoey.
No, to him, this was probably nothing worth mentioning.
As Eleanor gazed out the window, the car neared its destination, and just as they were about to arrive, Elijah’s low voice broke the silence.
