Revenge Of The Jilted Bride

Jilted Bride 32

Chapter

32

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Look, if you run into any problems here, just let me know, and I'll do whatever I can to help you out," Brock said with a gentle look.

Ophelia still didn't say a word and just stared at him with that calm, knowing look. Her gaze alone seemed to strip away his defenses layer by layer. Brock swallowed hard, hands on his hips and nervously licked his lips. He finally asked, "Ophelia, what do you want?" His voice dropped, strained with desperation, the polite facade completely gone as his brows knitted tightly together.

After a short silence, Brock exhaled, ran his fingers through his hair, and fidgeted with his glasses. "How about this, I'll talk to the production team and make sure you get the runner-up spot. If it's money you need, I'll give you whatever I can. You know we're both from the slums, and it hasn't been easy for me to get where I am."

"Hasn't been easy for you?" Ophelia found his words funny. She hadn't even said anything, and he was already this flustered. Brock opened his mouth to say something else, but someone from the crew was calling for him outside. "Mr. Decker..." "I'm begging you, Ophelia, please don't let anyone know about my background," he whispered. Coming from the slums was still a stigma for him, and if people found out about his past, all his success could come crashing down.

Ophelia neither agreed nor refused. Outside, the assistant kept calling his name. Brock slipped his glasses back on and put on a polite smile as if nothing had happened. He then walked out, looking elegant as ever.

The designers and celebrities had all gathered in the waiting area. The awkward part was that Ophelia didn't have a model standing beside her. Samantha, who had just managed to switch to a more well-known designer, stood nearby and shot a disdainful glance in Ophelia's direction.

Samantha scoffed in her mind, 'Her? She's probably just here because she's got a pretty face and some connections. She's a

with her.' cannon fodder for sure. Bet she'll be the first to go. Poor soul who pairs up

"Ophelia Spencer, right?" the director, Cameron Bishop, called her name, frowning as he looked at her file, which was practically blank. He thought, 'No wonder even someone as minor as Samantha didn't want to partner with her. Who picked her anyway? "Anyone willing to partner with her?" Cameron asked. If no one stepped up, they'd just have to replace her. Designers like her were easy to invite, but celebrities were not.

"Sir, hasn't everything already been decided?" Taylor chimed in, worried that they might somehow mess things up and pull her away from Brock.

Everyone had their own thoughts, and the bigger-name celebs were getting visibly impatient. Just then, a distinct voice spoke up, "I'll team up with her." It was Sharon Campbell, the washed-up actress who had just been bumped off by Samantha. Her voice had that nasal quality that made it instantly recognizable.

Her agent had only signed her up for this show to promote an upcoming movie-to make a quick appearance and get some screen time. Whether she got eliminated early or not didn't really matter.

that's just what everyone expected,' the crowd thought.

knew each other, and when they tried to exchange a polite nod, they

everything, the recording began with the celebrities being introduced

Lora Smith. Lora Smith is twenty-nine years old, graduated

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host rattled off the accolades

No intro, no credentials. After hearing eight elaborate introductions, the audience was suddenly intrigued by this ninth designer who came with nothing. It made the other designers, who had been so full of themselves, snicker in disdain, but they couldn't help feeling a bit wary. Finally, Brock's turn came, and the host practically lit up. "And now, we have Brock Decker. He's the first student from Heloria to

work was included in the 15 editions of Dellanex University textbooks. He has been invited to multiple international fashion design competitions and

sure to give Brock some extra time for his speech. Amid the applause, his humble yet handsome demeanor caught the attention of many female audiences. Brock took the microphone and delivered a polished, gracious speech, full of praise for the contestants and the usual formalities. Next, each designer stepped forward to draw lots and determine their partner for the competition. This was where the acting came in. When they were backstage, Cameron instructed them to show their surprise to the camera. These reactions had to be big and memorable. Some designers

neutral as usual. After drawing her lot, she glanced at Sharon,

way too bland. What's wrong? You're unhappy with your model?" Cameron shouted to Ophelia, and his words seemed to stir up

I'm very happy," she

show it, okay?

replied in

at Sharon with a

basically the same as before. And don't zero in on

on her, got it?"

other contestants looked at Ophelia

we not waste time here, please?""

"Yup," another one echoed.

Even Cameron was momentarily speechless. In all his years in the industry, he had never been called out by a young

the only one who found Ophelia's response endearing. Everyone else

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Chapter 32

openly defy the director?