Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Falsely Accused
"Nothing much, because they were poor students." Elias Lancaster said this without any hint of embarrassment.
Nia Irving, "..."
I passed the English proficiency test Level 8!
Sean Scott, "..."
Master Lancaster, I get scholarships effortlessly, okay!
The two exchanged a look and shook their heads.
No choice, Master Lancaster is afraid of his wife.
Meanwhile, at The Lancaster Family.
Old Madam Lancaster was furious and about to jump up; if it weren’t for Old Master Lancaster constantly comforting her, she might have gone after them and brought Serena Yeats back.
Then she saw the photos sent back by Nanny Livingston.
She exclaimed loudly, "Honey, look, our son has made something of himself. No idea who put him up to it, taking Serena out to have fun, and now they’ve even gone abroad."
Old Master Lancaster glanced at their photos; Elias Lancaster was actually smiling in them.
"That brat finally looks human."
Old Madam Lancaster leaned against his chest, looking at the photos, grinning uncontrollably.
"Yeah, I hope I can live to see my darling grandkids born."
"Don’t worry, after all these years, we’ve done pretty well. Rest assured, you can still be with me for decades."
When Elias Lancaster was born, Old Madam Lancaster’s health suffered. She was in a coma for over half a year and had been careful ever since. It’s already quite an achievement to reach this state.
Old Master Lancaster hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.
"We’ll watch our grandkids be born together. We still need to raise them together too."
Over the next month, Elias Lancaster left the company to Old Master Lancaster, while he took Serena Yeats around to have fun.
Until the day of the final round of the design competition arrived, Elias brought Serena to stay at the hotel next to the finals venue.
Elias hugged her, "Go to sleep, you have the competition tomorrow."
Serena nodded, then suddenly asked, "We’ve played for a long time, can Dad manage the company alone?"
"Don’t worry, he can manage it for another ten years without a problem." Elias spoke with ease.
He didn’t care; he wanted to accompany his wife. After all, he was only eighteen when he was forced to take over the company, and after all these years, he needed a break to be with his wife.
The next day.
Serena took the tools she needed and went to the finals venue.
After the staff verified her identity, they gave her a seat number.
From the doorway to her seat, there was someone guiding her, helping her avoid the crowd.
As soon as she sat down, someone tapped her shoulder.
She looked to her side and saw a charming girl with wavy long hair and a seductive figure.
"Hi, I’m Amelia Sutton, and you?"
Serena smiled, "Hello, I’m Serena Yeats."
Afterward.
Amelia kept looking for topics to chat with Serena.
"I wonder if receiving an award would really help us find a good job."
The two chatted sporadically.
Once all the contestants entered the hall.
Serena looked around but didn’t find Nathan Sawyer. She was a bit worried but felt relieved after seeing his name on the participants’ list.
Soon, the competition rules were announced on-site.
The screen on stage showed two items.
One was a Neo-Chinese style dress, and the other was a Jade Ruyi.
The host explained: Contestants are to use the provided items as inspiration to create two pieces of jewelry on the spot, with a time limit of two hours.
Seeing these two items, Serena recalled the vintage wedding dress she had seen at Grandpa Keaton’s place.
She remembered the day Elias proposed to her when Nathan asked what kind of wedding she wanted, Chinese or Western.
A light bulb went off in her head, and she immediately picked up the pen, sketching the jewelry designs with ease and creativity.
Then she slowly refined and embellished them, and from one piece, she designed another complementary one.
After an hour and a half, she was finished.
She wrote her identification details on her work and submitted it.
After submitting, she waited.
The judges selected the five best works on-site for the next round of design concept presentations.
Soon, the crowd thinned out, leaving five people, including Serena and Nathan.
Nathan and Serena exchanged encouraging glances.
The host asked them to sit in a row behind the judges, as the staff handed them each other’s drafts.
The host spoke on stage, "The design concept presentations will be in the order given by the judges. First up, Serena Yeats!"
Amelia Sutton looked calm on the surface but felt disdainful inside.
Did she really think marrying into The Lancaster Family would turn her into a phoenix?
These judges are notoriously picky and sharp; let’s see how you handle it!
Serena walked up gracefully, speaking calmly.
"Hello, judges, my work is called ’The Only One.’ The items provided by the competition have three key points..."
As Serena explained the meaning of her work, the judges nodded in satisfaction.
"Serena Yeats, can you tell us about the materials you used in your design?"
One of the judges asked.
Serena pointed to the projected design on the big screen and clearly stated the materials she intended to use, word by word.
But when it came to the design of the ring, she thought for a moment and decided to use diamonds and gemstones.
Her explanation pleased the six judges unanimously.
But one judge asked an unrelated question.
"Are you pregnant, Serena Yeats? If so, why do you still want to participate in this competition?"
Serena Yeats, "I love design and jewelry, and being pregnant isn’t a reason to stop moving forward."
After she finished speaking, the judges praised her.
Serena bowed in thanks and returned to her seat.
Next, it was Nathan Sawyer’s turn.
An hour later, all five contestants finished presenting their works and waited for the results at their seats.
The panel of judges temporarily left to discuss in an adjacent office.
Serena and Nathan tightly held hands.
"Serena, don’t be nervous, you’ll do great." Nathan felt his palms sweating.
"Nathan, relax, I’m not nervous; you’re the one who’s too nervous." Serena patted his hand.
Half an hour later.
The judges handed the list of winners to the host.
The host invited all contestants to enter the hall and announced the rankings publicly.
Serena Yeats was first, Nathan Sawyer second, and Amelia Sutton fifth.
Amelia Sutton sprang up immediately upon hearing this.
"Do you have a problem, winning contestant?" asked the host.
Amelia shook her head and sat down.
The winner for this competition was supposed to be prearranged for the first place.
But now...
She looked angrily at Serena Yeats.
The award ceremony followed shortly after.
Serena Yeats went on stage as the first-place winner.
International designer Nion handed the trophy and certificate to Serena.
Nion spoke directly, "Your piece is the best among them, very spirited, but you lack formal education..."
This insightful feedback gave Serena a clear direction for her learning, and she was very grateful.
To have a luminary of the international jewelry design world willing to guide her, she felt very fortunate.
She bowed slightly, "Thank you, Teacher."
Nion shook her hand.
"I am interested in your ’The Only One’ collection. Would you be willing to sell me the rights? Rest assured, upon sale, you will receive a contractual share. Would you be willing?"
Everyone in the audience, including other judges and contestants, was astonished.
Serena Yeats was even more surprised.
She wanted to seize the opportunity, "Thank you, Teacher, I..."
"Teacher, please reconsider."
Before Serena could finish, Amelia Sutton interrupted her.
She stood up directly and shouted to the stage. "Teacher Nion, she plagiarized. I suggest checking Serena Yeats’s work!"