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Jayson answered honestly, “The man stood in my way when I stepped out of my house that morning. He said that
it's impossible for me to be in the top three by relying solely on my own ability. He told me that all the other
designers were excellent, and I had to be manipulative if I wished to get a place in the top three. So he suggested
that I target you and set you up.”
“And?” Natalie bit her lip hard.
Jayson explained further, “He emphasized that you're from an influential background, so you'll get in the top three
easily even if you aren't good enough. Hence, he instigated me to eliminate you first, and I acted recklessly without
thinking twice. I'm really sorry for that.”
He bowed to her again, pleading for her forgiveness.
Natalie looked at him frigidly without uttering any words.
Lina pursed her lips and fumed, “What an idiot. You shouldn't have believed in his words easily. Aren't you making
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtyour way to the final now with your own ability?”
She had seen his designs and acknowledged him to be as capable as Natalie. If he did not plagiarize, she was
convinced that he was shortlisted after outperforming the other designers without playing any dirty tricks.
After all, she presumed it would have resulted in a commotion if Jayson had actually set up the other designers.
Since he managed to make his way up to this stage step by step with his own ability, why did he have to listen to
that despicable man and hurt Nat?
“I-It's because I'm not confident with myself.” Jayson scratched his bald head awkwardly as if he could read Lina's
mind.
“Not confident with yourself?” Lina looked at him quizzically.
“Sadly, there is always discrimination against us. The others tend to pick on us because of our difference in skin
colors. I have been bullied for years, and over time, my confidence in my own design gradually disappeared.”
“I see. I never expect that there is still much discrimination in the fashion industry.” Lina sighed.
Natalie felt her temples throb. “There are countless designers who quit the industry over the years after failing to
withstand the bullying of others. Only those with a strong mind can continue to survive in the industry.”
“I'm impressed that he managed to make it this far. Looks like he has strong mental resolve,” Lina commented,
scanning Jayson from head to toe.
Natalie uttered solemnly, “Enough of that. No matter what your excuses are, it can't be denied that you have
committed a wrong deed. Anyway, focus on your design for the competition as I won't take any action against you
at the moment. I will only lodge a report to the Design Association of your country after the competition and let
them take action accordingly. Lina, let's go.”
With that, Natalie turned and strode away. Lina quickened her pace to catch up with her.
Once they were seated in the car, Lina looked at Natalie inquisitively. “Nat, you have a soft spot for him and you let
him off.”
“What do you mean?” Natalie asked placidly as she flipped through a fashion magazine.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmResting her chin on her hand, Lina gazed at Natalie. “Instead of lodging a report to the National Design Association,
you said you would lodge one to the Design Association of Jayson's country, which is far away from the National
Design Association here. Doesn't that imply that you plan to let him off the hook? It's because you know that the
Design Association of his country will have mercy on him.”
Natalie smiled. “You sure have a sharp sense. Yeah, I did let him off the hook on purpose. He's talented in fashion
design. Apart from the previous incident, he hasn't stirred up any troubles so far. If I tell on him to the National
Design Association, he will be banned from the competition and might end up quitting the industry. I don't wish to
see such a talented designer end up in a pathetic state.”
“You definitely have a point. But what if he's bluffing you? Who knows? He might have done something else
previously and has been keeping that under wraps.”
Natalie continued to flip through her magazine calmly. “That's why I mentioned that I would only lodge the report
after the competition. I will hire someone to investigate Jayson during this period. If it is proven that he has only
committed the wrong deed unintentionally, as instigated by Sean, I will stick to my plan. But if he turns out to be a
despicable person, as you've mentioned, I can always change my mind and lodge a report to the National Design
Association.”
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