Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

The ninety-minute countdown started ticking away.

Up on the stage, the host kicked off the final countdown with the crowd.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven... three, two, one."

As the last number echoed, every contestant dropped their pens and set aside their sketches. Some had only gotten halfway, forced to stop by the clock. Others had just managed the opening lines. But Jane? She finished her design right on the dot, adding the final touch to a flowing skirt-the whole look complete, down to the last detail.

Country M's contestant finished at the same instant.

Their scores were impossibly close-two rising stars, both at the top of their game.

They might be young, but their work was anything but amateur. The confidence and polish in their designs would outshine many seasoned pros.

"Today's design challenge has been a showstopper!" the host announced, his voice full of energy. "I know everyone here and watching online is dying to find out who took the win." He lifted his arm, drawing every eye to the huge screen behind him. "Let's check the results!"

with Jackson, couldn't look away from the screen. If Country M's contestant took first place, the whole competition

and blurred, dragging out the suspense, before finally snapping into focus.

Jane from International Glam.

the contestant

edged out Country M's contestant by a single vote! That's unbelievable!” The host's excitement was almost over the top as he pointed to the rankings. "Now, both International Glam and Country M are tied for first place. Tomorrow, either

has actually overtaken Woods Corporation today.

distracted, turning in two designs with basically

can't really blame them," the host went on. "They've been holding their stomachs all day. Let's get a closer

in on her. She looked pale, sweat beading on her forehead. You

1.n

agreeing with me here Our team, and the International

own abilities. If we lost, it's fair and square. Thank you,

it weren't for the food poisoning, nobody would've made a big deal about Woods

illness just to compete-it