Two weeks into the competition, Alayna and Natalia were tied. They moved through each round like champions heading for the final showdown. In the end, I won. My diamond ring design took first place. Natalia got second.
But my victory turned sour immediately.
On awards day, everything fell apart.
I stood holding my trophy when reporters surrounded me. They pushed microphones in my face. Cameras flashed endlessly.
"Miss Prescott, how does it feel to win gold... by stealing someone's work?"
"You got your job at Montgomery Jewelry through family ties, correct? Was this competition fixed too?"
"The design board is considering stripping your award. They may ban you from future events. Any response?"
Then one journalist shoved a printed design in my face. My design.
I actually laughed.
It was my own work. Something I created years earlier.
"I didn't plagiarize," I stated calmly. "That design is my original work."
The questions kept coming fast.
"Prove it! There's no signature on it."
"How convenient to call it yours now."
"Where's your respect for true artists?"
It was all about the design until one reporter went deeper.
'Rumors say you were involved with Sebastian Harrington while he was still married. They claim this design belonged to his wife. Care to explain, Miss Prescott?"
When he said Sebastian's name, my entire body froze. I hadn't heard that name spoken aloud in months.
The press smelled blood. They dug into my past, my private life, until I nearly lost my balance. The stage edge was close. In these impossible high heels, one wrong step could break my ankle.
That's when it happened.
An arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back hard. I crashed against a solid, familiar chest.
Sebastian.
His jaw was tight as he glared at the reporters. "Trying to broadcast an accident live?"
The room went completely silent under his angry authority.
Holding me close, he faced the press with his cold corporate tone. "Alayna is my lead designer, hired for her talent. She did not steal. Argentum fully supports her. Whoever started this smear campaign will face consequences. Severe ones."
No one spoke as he led me away.
For a long moment, I just stared at him. The realization hit me hard. Sebastian had never stood up for me like that. Not once. No matter what Chloe did, no matter what I said, he always questioned me.
But Sebastian... I hadn't even defended myself and he'd already shielded me from everyone. So this is how it feels–to be trusted.
Without thinking, my fingers tightened around his hand.
He tapped my forehead gently. "I told you before. I hate seeing you upset."
I met his eyes, feeling my throat tighten again. But this time, it wasn't from tears–it was something different entirely. Winning this competition... it wasn't just about proving Natalia wrong anymore. It felt much more significant than that.
Sebastian squeezed my fingers gently. "The timing of this leak is too perfect. Feels like someone close to you provided that design. Any ideas?"
Sebastian. The name came to mind instantly. He was the only person I'd ever shown that design to. I'd once naively asked him to make it into our wedding ring. He never even looked at it properly. Just tossed it in his study like trash.
I nodded slowly. "It might have come from him."
Sebastian exhaled sharply, his lips curling. "Typical. Harrington trash."
I remained silent.
He glanced at me sideways. "If it really is him... how do you want me to handle this?"
He sounded uneasy, like he expected me to protect Sebastian.
I smiled faintly. "Do what you think is necessary."
A slow grin spread across his face. "Then I'll handle it my way."
Of course, his way was never ordinary–especially knowing how Sebastian operates. But surprisingly, after a complete investigation, we discovered Sebastian wasn't responsible after all.