“Really? Then what's this about?" She showed a video from her phone on a huge display.

The dim light of a stairwell revealed two figures: a man and a woman, engaged in hushed conversation. Though their faces were in shadows, their familiarity was unmistakable.

A chill ran down Lorena's spine. She recognized herself and Bernard in the footage. How on earth had Lilah gotten her hands on this?

Lorena's initial shock receded, replaced by a growing confidence.

After all, the cameras didn't pick up sound. Without proof of their conversation, how damning could the footage be? Yet, as she steeled herself for whatever Lilah might allege, an unexpected sound filled the room.

“Lorena, out of everyone, I had my bets on you this time. Such a shame you might be overshadowed," Bernard's unmistakable voice echoed.

Then it was Lorena's voice. "What are you saying?"

"Don't you see? Phoebe's design in the semi-finals was a sensation.

Everyone's talking about it. You have skill, sure, but she brings something fresh. If I had to guess, she's clinching the title," he said.

“But she's just starting out!" Lorena shot back, disbelief clear in her tone.

Bernard chuckled. "Being new has its perks. Fresh faces draw attention in our world. If you lose to her, you'll be the talk of the town, but not in a way you'd Like."

"How can I fix this?" Lorena's voice was desperate in the video.

“Lilah's on the judging panel, right? And she's got ties to Phoebe through their shared company. Connect the dots," Bernard hinted.

"You're saying Lilah might have rigged the competition for Phoebe?"

She tried to follow his insinuations.

“Not directly. The theme for the finals will be pulled from a hat.

But if you spread the word that Lilah had a hand in helping Phoebe, the mere suspicion might tip the scales in your favor," Bernard explained with a sly smile.

“I see, leave it to me."

A heavy silence hung in the air as the recording concluded. Lorena looked as if the ground had been ripped from beneath her, her complexion matching the stark white walls.

Phoebe was a whirlwind of emotions. The same Lorena, who had always spoken about fairness, had plotted this?

Around the room, the reactions varied from shock to disbelief. The high moral ground Lorena had stood on was now crumbling beneath her feet.

The room was thick with the weight of betrayal. The other designers exchanged glances, their faces mirroring their disdain for Lorena's deceit.

“Lorena, did you really think this would go unnoticed?" Phoebe's voice wavered with hurt. "I held you in such high regard."

The shock of it all settled deep within Phoebe. She had always known the design world to be competitive, but to think that someone she respected would resort to such measures? And to pull Lilah into it as well? It was almost too much to bear.