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

Chapter 86

Neil eagerly grabbed the sketches with both hands, half expecting Judson's favoritism toward Lena to stem from personal affection. But when he saw the design in his palms, his breath hitched, and a chill ran down his spine.

"Quick, do a comparison! Let everyone see what Lena's design looks like."

Even Mathew was shocked, and Susan felt a growing unease. What did Neil mean by that?

Before anyone could gather their thoughts, the lights snapped off. The big screen flickered back to life, rapidly scrolling until a design of a rose-entwined crown was on the screen for all to see.

Thorns curled around a somewhat tarnished crown that still glimmered with a brilliant shine, its charm amplified by the dark beauty of overlapping rose petals and the centerpiece gem. The design was a striking mix of twisted branches and an off-putting crown.

Beneath it read, [A Rose and a Crown, but I Seek Freedom - Lena]

Silence enveloped the room. After a minute of dead air, thunderous applause erupted.

"Man, this rose and crown, it's hard to tell which plays the lead role, but the theme of freedom, the branching rose buds... is this suggesting we shouldn't be confined?"

"It doesn't matter what it is about. What baffles me is how such an exquisite, lifelike design was lost to Susan's tacky Rose Sword!"

is stunning. It's a shame

jewelry line we're

right," Baldrick

Judson stepped between them,

Mathew couldn't peel his eyes away from the design, his face drained of color, lips trembling. Even Susan was dumbfounded, never expecting Nancy's work to be

"Mathew, are you blind? How could such a beautiful

anger surged. "And Susan, I have no idea how you managed to win Mathew over, but with all your trash-talking about Lena, NY isn't going to work with someone like you! Anyone who teams up

and Susan stood frozen, their breathing almost

fit of hysteria, Susan screamed at Nancy, "Lena, how could

brow furrowed instantly while Nancy calmly retorted, "I know it's hard for you to accept, but just because you can't do

Susan was speechless. "You!"

about me? No wonder you were so jealous of Lena's talent. It turns out you knew your

rage, and then, security guards rushed in, grabbing her by the shoulders to drag

"Mathew, save me. I'm carrying your

dismissed Miss Lena's design without a glance if it weren't for your seduction? It deserves the championship. Go

the guards pulled her away before she