The Road to Rebirth Her Fresh Start and His Late Sorrow by Helena R. Bates

Chapter 83

Hearing Nancy's name dropped into the conversation, all eyes turned toward her.

Baldrick furrowed his brows, not having the chance to speak up.

Mathew scoffed dismissively, "Lena? She didn't make it through the preliminary round. I haven't even seen her sketches. I only reviewed the top ten's."

"What?" Susan feigned shock. "Out of a hundred studios participating, Lena didn't make the top fifty? That's quite the fall from grace."

Susan threw Nancy a mocking look. "Lena, you've gone downhill, haven't you? Or were you always this mediocre? I'm starting to wonder how you snagged those awards in the past."

Mathew added with a sneer, "How else? NY is known for its strict standards. And I don't do favors. Miss Lena needs to up her game."

As Susan and Mathew tag-teamed their criticism, people almost took it for granted that Nancy had previously won by pulling strings.

Nancy's expression darkened.

"Proof is needed in every claim. Since NY is known for its rigor,

Mathew momentarily

to sign a contract with the champion, Miss

Lena wouldn't be because you have a special interest in her,

Baldrick's frown deepened.

think you've forgotten that all our past competitions were settled by public voting online, and

to hide her frustration, and her face twisted, "Public voting means nothing. Who's to

official sales rankings can be faked, too?"

Despite her efforts to mobilize a large fanbase, her earnings were still a fraction

turned to Mathew, tears welling up, "Mr. Mathew, Lena seems quite unsatisfied with my victory. Is

buzzed

a titan. Questioning NY might get

but challenging Evergreen Global could mean the

at Nancy. "Lena, if

NY was