Lorena stared at Lilah, eyes wide with disbelief. "You... How did you?"

Lilah lifted an eyebrow and smirked. "You're shocked? Thought that surveillance clip was silent?"

She leaned in, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "When you two were chatting away, I was right outside. I made sure to record the audio."

Lorena's heart sank. All her careful planning was now laid bare for all to see. And at this moment, she felt so utterly foolish.

She tilted her head down, letting out a disbelieving laugh. "So, I made a mistake? No! The real mistake is how the world treats me. All those years of hard work, and everyone said I was destined for the top. But then comes Phoebe, just a young 23-year-old, and suddenly, my years of dedication are overshadowed by her flair? Life's a cruel joke!"

Lilah, unimpressed, responded, “You think everyone else just banks on raw talent? Ever wondered what Phoebe did while you took breaks? Maybe when you took a nap, she sketched. When you had lunch, she brainstormed. And as you enjoyed your free time, she hit the books. Tell me, Phoebe, during this contest, how much sleep did you get?"

ALL eyes in the room landed on Phoebe. With a steady voice, she replied, “Three hours. Just three hours a night."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Lorena's face paled as she absorbed the weight of Lilah's words. "So you think success just lands in your lap? Behind every achievement, there's a world of sweat and sacrifice. Sure, talent matters, but perseverance is the real game changer."

Tears welled in Lorena's eyes as shame washed over her. The sting of her choices became even sharper as the competition's chief coordinator took the stage.

Disqualified and barred from any future design competitions, Lorena faced the harsh reality of her actions. Once on track for a promising future as the second-place contestant, she now bore the heavy weight of public scorn because of a fleeting error in judgment.

As she stepped off the stage, a ripple of sympathy swept through the crowd.

Phoebe, nursing an injury, missed out on the award ceremony. Instead, Lilah was by her side, ensuring her wounds were treated. All the while, Phoebe's face was adorned with a smile.

“Why that goofy grin?" Lilah questioned, her voice tinged with irritation. To her, Phoebe's naivety was glaring. Who would go to such lengths to defend their honor?

"I'm just over the moon," Phoebe responded, eyes shimmering with sincerity. "Meeting you has been a blessing. Not only did you help refine my skills, but you also shared life's wisdom. You're one of a kind."

Lilah's Lips curved into a gentle smile. “One day, you will be too.”

Before Phoebe could respond, the soft buzz of Lilah's phone interrupted. Lilah glanced down, her eyes catching a new message from Gerard.

Gerard's text appeared on her screen. "Where are you?"

"At the hospital," Lilah replied, her fingers flying over the keyboard.

She returned her gaze to Phoebe as the doctor worked on her bandages.

"Keep it dry," the doctor instructed.

"I will be careful," Phoebe promised.

Lilah's voice held a note of stern concern. “Promise me you won't do something like this again. There's always another way."

Phoebe's cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "I got carried away in the heat of the moment. I wasn't thinking."