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!"

turning to Nancy. "This is stunning. It's a shame

"It's okay. The jewelry line we're developing with the Sandro Group is one of

right," Baldrick chuckled

between them, vowing to remove

stage, 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 so breathtaking, far

How could such a beautiful design not make it past

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

stood frozen, their breathing

"Lena, how could you create

know it's hard for you to accept, but just because you

Susan was speechless. "You!"

me? No wonder you were so jealous of Lena's talent. It turns out you knew your true level." Judson sharply interjected,

and then, security guards rushed in,

Susan cried out, "Mathew, save me. I'm carrying

statement only fueled Mathew's fury. "You wretch, how would I have dismissed Miss Lena's design without a glance if it weren't for your seduction? It deserves the championship.

couldn't believe Mathew's words, but the guards