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.

washed-up actress and a no-name designer... Yeah, that's just what everyone expected,' the crowd thought. "They are basically written off as the cannon fodders of the

when they

confirming everything, the recording began with the celebrities being

Smith. Lora Smith is twenty-nine years old, graduated from Yoskela School of Design, and

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Stylists..." The host rattled off

she continued, "Let's welcome the final contestant, Ophelia Sinclair." And that was it. No intro, no credentials. After hearing eight elaborate introductions, the audience was suddenly intrigued by this

in the 15 editions of Dellanex University textbooks. He has been invited to multiple international fashion design competitions and is currently the vice president of the Heloria

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 would act stunned to be paired with a high-profile celebrity, while some celebs would light up with excitement at being matched with a

kept her expression neutral as usual. After drawing her

wrong? You're unhappy with your model?" Cameron shouted to Ophelia, and

I'm very

said, "Then show it, okay? Look

Ophelia replied in a

time, Ophelia looked at Sharon with a slightly

And don't zero in on Sharon right

her,

at

here,

"Yup," another one echoed.

an actress," Ophelia shot back, leaving the whole room stunned. Even Cameron was momentarily speechless. In all his years

the only one who found Ophelia's response endearing. Everyone else looked at her like she'd lost her

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Chapter 32

openly defy the director?