When Adaline caught wind of it, she didn't bat an eyelid.

“Adaline, high-five! Ready to dazzle them together?" the other designer who snagged a spot buzzed.

“Easy there, partner. Prelims are child's play. If you've got a pair of hands, you're golden." Adaline was dripping in confidence.

The other designer nodded vigorously. "With your genius, the top three's got your name on it!"

Adaline's brows furrowed, and the designer backpedaled. “Oops. Meant you're gonna snatch that crown. Got a feeling you're gonna be queen bee!"

She replied with feigned humility, "Never count your chickens before they hatch." But deep down, she was soaking up the praise.

Had it not been for that web scandal, Adaline wouldn't have even tossed her hat in. She always considered herself the cream of the crop, way above the competition.

The designer kept laying it on thick before beating it.

Once the door clicked shut, the designer couldn't resist a snicker.

Yeah, right. Adaline's so-so designs were no secret. Without her loaded dad, she'd be lucky to be fetching coffee at the company, let alone bossing folks around!

Adaline's eyes were glued to the list of competitors. Something was fishy, and she was about to reel it in.

Why wasn't Lilah's name on the list?

Lilah had never joined such a competition before. She had just returned to her home country, and such accolades would elevate her standing. The National Design Competition was an opportunity few would miss.

Yet, her name was conspicuously absent.

Could it be that she hadn't made the cut?

The more Adaline pondered, the more plausible it seemed.

The online ridicule she had faced because of Lilah still rankled. In a fit of pique, Adaline swiftly took to Twitter.

"Thrilled for the chance with the National Design Competition. Going to give it my all! No regrets!"

She attached the participants’ list for good measure.

Before long, her feed buzzed with cheers and well-wishes.

Yet, a few eagle-eyed followers spotted the omission.

"Where's Lilah? Thought she was top-notch."

“Perhaps she skipped this one?"

"C'mon! The National Design Competition is every designer's dream.