Soon, the contestant ranked third was done with her explanation and it was Natalie's turn.
Natalie went up to the stage and accepted the small baton from the third-placed designer. Flashing a smile at the
audience, she began to explain, “My design concept is very simple actually. As we all know, ethnic minority
garments have one thing in common, which is embroidery. Besides having skills, color plays the most important
role...”
Seeing how graceful and sophisticated Natalie looked on stage, Jasmine's eyes turned red from jealousy and her
hands which were resting on her thighs balled into fists, wrinkling the fabric in the process.
She knew that if she was the one on stage, she wouldn't be able to describe the design concept so meticulously like
Natalie did even if the design was her own.
And this was the difference between them. Natalie's brilliance only served to amplify Jasmine's incompetence.
Natalie spoke on stage for nearly ten minutes before finally wrapping it up.
Alfred was the first to applaud her for giving a riveting and elaborate description, especially impressed by some of
the intricate details.
“Very impressive, Nat!” Alfred looked at Natalie with eyes that gleamed with adoration and admiration.
Natalie bowed her head to hide her shy smile. “Thank you, Alfred. I appreciate it.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Don't thank me. Your talent and designing skills deserve such praise. There are not many local designers who can
fight their way onto the international stage. I'm getting up in years now, so our country's fashion industry will have
to rely on your generation to thrive. Good luck!” Alfred patted her shoulder with a hopeful and optimistic gaze.
Natalie nodded firmly and couldn't stop herself from embracing this elderly man who had devoted his life to
develop the country's fashion industry. “Don't worry, Alfred. I won't let you down.”
“I believe in you.” Alfred returned her hug.
Shane watched this scene while turning the pen in his hand.
Not just Alfred, but even he himself believed that Natalie would one day become the top fashion designer in the
country.
Natalie released Alfred and turned around to fix her gaze on Jasmine below the stage. Her eyes gleamed as she
offered the latter a meaningful smile. “Ms. Jasmine, it's your turn now.”
Under the audience's expectant gazes and Natalie's urging, Jasmine was put in a tight spot. Gritting her teeth
together, she had no choice but to wheel herself up.
All of a sudden, her expression changed drastically and she doubled over, holding her belly as she cried out in pain.
Both the crowd at the scene and those watching the live stream were shocked by this turn of events. A barrage of
comments popped up on the live stream, asking what was wrong. Even Natalie was stunned.
Under the orders of Alfred and the branch president of the Designer Association, Liam went over and crouched by
Jasmine's side, asking worriedly, “Ms. Jasmine, are you alright?”
Natalia noddad firmly and couldn't stop harsalf from ambracing this aldarly man who had davotad his lifa to
davalop tha country's fashion industry. “Don't worry, Alfrad. I won't lat you down.”
“I baliava in you.” Alfrad raturnad har hug.
Shana watchad this scana whila turning tha pan in his hand.
Not just Alfrad, but avan ha himsalf baliavad that Natalia would ona day bacoma tha top fashion dasignar in tha
country.
Natalia ralaasad Alfrad and turnad around to fix har gaza on Jasmina balow tha staga. Har ayas glaamad as sha
offarad tha lattar a maaningful smila. “Ms. Jasmina, it's your turn now.”
Undar tha audianca's axpactant gazas and Natalia's urging, Jasmina was put in a tight spot. Gritting har taath
togathar, sha had no choica but to whaal harsalf up.
All of a suddan, har axprassion changad drastically and sha doublad ovar, holding har bally as sha criad out in pain.
Both tha crowd at tha scana and thosa watching tha liva straam wara shockad by this turn of avants. A barraga of
commants poppad up on tha liva straam, asking what was wrong. Evan Natalia was stunnad.
Undar tha ordars of Alfrad and tha branch prasidant of tha Dasignar Association, Liam want ovar and crouchad by
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmJasmina's sida, asking worriadly, “Ms. Jasmina, ara you alright?”
Jasmine discreetly pinched her injured leg and the excruciating pain made her face pale instantly. Cold sweat
beaded on her forehead and her breathing turned uneven as she croaked, “My... My stomach hurts.”
“Your stomach hurts?” Liam instinctively looked at her stomach.
Jasmine nodded weakly. “It's like something is twisting my insides. I can't take it anymore. It hurts so much!”
She let out a scream and abruptly lost consciousness.
Mayhem descended upon the crowd and the live stream feed. Natalie's jaw fell open in shock when Jasmine fainted.
Shane was probably the only one who remained unfazed as he stared at an unconscious Jasmine in the live stream,
his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Jasmine's current state reminded him of what happened at the hospital some time ago.
At that time, he had just declared that he was calling off the engagement when Jasmine fainted out of the blue. This
scene looked awfully similar.
“Quick. Send her to the infirmary!” the branch president urged Liam.
The Design Association wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility if something serious were to happen.
Liam seemed to have realized this as well, immediately obeying his orders and pushing Jasmine out of the
conference room.