Chapter 224

"You knew Elia is my idol, yet you didn't help me get her autograph!" Fiona Ferguson stomped her foot in frustration.

Frank Ferguson shot her a cold glare. "Keep complaining and I'll send you back to training. If you fail tomorrow's preliminary round, you'll regret it."

Fiona immediately fell silent.

The next morning, Evelyn Sullivan arrived punctually at the design competition venue.

The Ferguson Group had invested heavily in this event. They'd rented Sullivan Group's facilities and installed state-of-the-art surveillance systems. Every contestant's creative process would be live-streamed nationwide, with only participant numbers hidden from view.

Alongside anonymous judging by industry experts, thousands of designers would participate in online voting. This hybrid judging system made the competition particularly high-profile.

"You're the new assistant, right?" A staff member rushed over. "Take these water bottles to the contestants' lounge."

Before Evelyn could respond, the woman disappeared into the crowd.

Evelyn scanned the area but saw no other assistants.

The competition would begin in twenty minutes.

The lounge would close in ten. Contestants wouldn't be allowed to leave for three hours. Without water, they'd have to endure the entire session dehydrated.

Evelyn checked the wall clock and turned toward the stacked water bottles in the corner.

"Sis?"

The familiar voice made Evelyn freeze. She turned to see Isabella Jackson standing nearby, arm linked with Ethan Sullivan's.

After two weeks apart, Ethan seemed even colder, as if encased in ice.

Financial news had been filled with photos of Ethan escorting Isabella to galas. Clearly, after Evelyn's rejection, he'd returned to Isabella's side.

Evelyn expressionlessly resumed her task.

"Sis, are you that desperate for money?" Isabella hurried forward. "Let me lend you some."

"Move."

"I genuinely want to help." Isabella pouted. "It hurts seeing you do manual labor."

Evelyn smirked. "Worry about yourself."

She quickened her pace, but Isabella's theatrical voice followed. "Ethan, could you talk to the organizers—"

Ethan cut her off coldly. "The competition is starting."

"But Sis—"

"Isabella." His voice dropped dangerously. "Remember our agreement."

Watching Ethan walk away, Isabella clenched her fists.

For two weeks, she'd exploited that promise to make Ethan accompany her to business events. Jackson Group's profits had skyrocketed, and her father's attitude toward her had completely reversed.

But it wasn't enough.

She wanted far more than this.