Chapter 1002
No.1
Models walked the stage one after another. Each wore a simple gown with minimal makeup, their faces blank and devoid of emotion. Chanel was presenting a necklace called 'The Eternal Grove' for the final appearance. Crafted from platinum and shaped like a delicate leaf, it featured a hidden green fluorite stone nestled within. The piece, a blend of platinum, white gold, silver, and light green hues, radiated an aura of timeless elegance. The chosen model would need to embody that same eternal grace, or better yet, surpass it.
Sebastian Blackwood watched boredly from a concealed booth on the second floor.
"Bro, you promised the special lady would be here today. The audition's almost over. Where is she?"
"Exactly! Where's Mommy? These women are all so boring and plain. They think they're so chic. I'm getting sleepy..." Oliver mumbled, his eyelids heavy.
Nathaniel Blackwood ruffled the boy's hair. "She'll be here soon." His gaze remained fixed on the entrance.
"Uh... You saw her once and you're that sure?" Sebastian's tone dripped with disbelief and mockery.
"No one believes in love at first sight until that one person arrives and steals your heart completely," Nathaniel replied, an unconscious smirk touching his lips.
"Lord, save me from this cheesefest!" Sebastian howled, clutching his chest dramatically as if mortally wounded. "Bro, are we even related? I think I was a mistake. I shouldn't have been born. Then I wouldn't have a brother saying things like that to me! Your existence is pure torture for a single man like me!"
Oliver piped up, "Uncle Sebastian, you'll always have me! I'm almost old enough for school. Where's your kid, Uncle? Oh, right... you're not married. You don't even have a wife. How can you make a baby?" He chattered on without a filter. "It's so sad, Uncle. Even if you got married, you probably couldn't get a baby as cute as me." He looked at his uncle with genuine pity.
No.2
Sebastian felt the verbal slaps keep coming. What had he done to deserve this?
Suddenly, a wave of excited murmurs and appreciative noises rippled through the crowd below.
The three of them stopped their bickering instantly. Their attention snapped toward the stage.
Victoria Kensington emerged in a flowing white linen gown.
The dress was understated yet breathtakingly elegant.
She looked like she had stepped out of a classic literary masterpiece.
Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders.
A delicate floral crown rested upon her head.
Each movement made the gown sway gracefully.
No.3
Autumn leaves swirled around her feet as she walked.
It was a scene straight from a fairytale painting.
Her features were exquisitely refined.
She stood out among the other bland models.
Yet she maintained that otherworldly, fey-like grace.
She embodied celestial beauty.
She moved like a goddess brought to life.
The replica necklace gleamed against her slender neck.
Camille Laurent, the designer, gasped audibly.
No.4
“My God! It’s her! She’s perfect!” she exclaimed.
“This is exactly what I envisioned. She’s the one! We must sign her immediately!”
“How can someone be so ethereally pure? So dignified and untainted, like untouched snow.”
“Absolutely deserving of her global supermodel status. Her natural elegance is beyond compare.”
“Hmph.”
“So performative,” Oliver muttered.
Nathaniel nodded in agreement and handed him a chocolate bar.
Sebastian just stared at them, baffled.
Victoria seemed perfectly lovely. Why were they being so harsh? These two were impossible.
No.5
Meanwhile, Victoria basked in the audience's admiration.
A radiant smile spread across her face, warm as summer sunlight.
She felt certain in her heart now; she would be chosen for the final walk.
Just as predicted, the host and designers called her forward.
“The rest of the models may stand down. Victoria Kensington, you are our choice. You will be the necklace ambassador and headline tomorrow’s finale!”
“I concur! It must be Victoria. Her victory is undeniable!” Sophia Kensington declared happily.
The other competitors nodded in resigned acceptance. They were no match for Victoria Kensington, the world’s top supermodel.
Victoria bowed her head with feigned humility. “You are all too generous. I graciously accept this honor. I will not let you down.” Her voice was honey-sweet.
The producer confidently ascended the stage, contract in hand.
No.6
A genuine, triumphant smile finally touched Victoria’s lips. Once she secured this role, Isabella Montgomery could do nothing to stop her. How foolish of Isabella to even try competing. She should know her place.
As Victoria reached for the contract, a sharp electronic beep echoed through the hall.
The massive screen behind her flickered to life.
A photograph materialized on the display.
It was Victoria, posed under a shower spray.
Her body was scarcely concealed by a nearly transparent bikini, provocatively alluring.
She was the picture of tantalizing desire.
Instantly, the room erupted into chaos.
“Good heavens… Is that really Victoria Kensington? She’s nothing like her pristine image!”
No.7
“She portrays such innocence. Who knew she could be so… brazen!”
Victoria stood frozen, completely blindsided.
She had imagined the photo leaking online last night, but she never dreamed it would happen here, today, at this moment.
Isadora Vasquez was the first to snap into action. “Turn it off! Somebody turn that off!” she shrieked.
But no one moved. The audience was either mesmerized, staring openly, or quickly snapping pictures for their own collections.
The judges’ panel exchanged uneasy, disapproving glances, reassessing their decision.
Amid the growing noise of ridicule and shock, Victoria finally jolted back to reality.
“Turn it off! Please! That’s… that’s not me!” she cried out.