After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 160: Each with Ulterior Motives
Lily Dalton knew when to quit while she was ahead.
Since Scarlett Jewel had given her an out, she wasn’t about to be tactless.
Besides, she still needed to use Scarlett Jewel to get close to Gavin Sinclair.
If she really pissed her off, her own plan would fall through.
She wasn’t the type to risk a big win for a small gain. She knew what her goal was.
"You do love to joke, Mrs. Sterling."
"Here’s the research I prepared for you to reference."
"See if it helps with the theme and style for the first round of the competition."
With that, Lily Dalton handed the folder she had brought to Scarlett Jewel.
Scarlett Jewel took it and quickly flipped through it.
As it happened, she had been worrying about how to design these three outfits.
The research Lily Dalton had brought over actually gave her some inspiration.
She quickly took out a pen and paper and started to sketch designs.
But after scrapping several sketches, she still felt like something was missing.
Noticing Lily Dalton was still standing there, she looked up irritably and asked, "It’s getting late. Aren’t you leaving?"
’Doesn’t this woman have any sense?’
’It’s past eight, and she’s still lingering here.’
’What, is she planning to spend the night or something?’
"I thought I’d stay and see if there was any way I could help."
"After all, I’m the one who has to wear the clothes you design..."
"I don’t need it," Scarlett Jewel rejected her outright.
"Even if I did, it would be during the garment production phase after the design sketches are finished."
Lily Dalton felt a pang of disappointment at her words.
’I’ve stuck around this whole time, and Gavin Sinclair still hasn’t even shown up.’
’I thought I’d timed it perfectly, but I didn’t even catch a glimpse of Gavin Sinclair.’
She felt a bit resentful, having wasted such a good opportunity for nothing.
Still, the Sinclair security guards had said she could come and go as she pleased during the competition.
’Since I didn’t meet my target today, I’ll just have to wait for the next chance.’
With that in mind, she said obediently, "Alright, I’ll be leaving then."
"If there’s anything you need me for, Mrs. Sterling, just say the word."
"Got it." After speaking, Scarlett Jewel went back to her sketches.
In truth, she really looked down on Lily Dalton.
’No status, no connections.’
’Surrounded by a bunch of low-class commoners.’
’If Lily hadn’t spoken up for her when Claire Mercer exposed her as the other woman, and if her qualities as a model weren’t at least passable, she would never have chosen her as a partner.’
’Honestly, teaming up with her for this competition is beneath me.’
’Besides, she’d always felt this woman’s intentions weren’t so pure.’
’All this sucking up and trying to please me...’
’She’s probably just trying to use my status to climb the social ladder.’
’Case in point: she used delivering research as an excuse to come to the Sinclair estate right after dinner.’
’And then refused to leave, hanging around until now.’
’Who knows what she’s really after?’
’She’d better be here just to drop off research materials for my reference.’
’As long as she doesn’t get any ideas about Gavin Sinclair, I can pretend I don’t notice.’
’But if she dares to have any improper ideas about my man...’
’...then she shouldn’t blame me for being ruthless.’
’This status of mine as Mrs. Sterling didn’t come easily.’
’How could I possibly allow another woman to covet my man?’
’Even if I don’t love him, I love his money.’
Now, in keeping Lily Dalton by her side, she also had her own intentions of using her.
’Someone like her is actually very easy to control right now.’
’If I can just get some leverage on her, won’t she have to do my bidding?’
’It’s perfect. I can’t make a move against Claire Mercer myself.’
’Aside from the Mercer Family, Lily Dalton can be my weapon.’
’Besides, we’re tied together now because of this competition.’
’Eliminating Claire Mercer and Stella Thorne would benefit her too. She has no reason not to help me.’
With these thoughts, Scarlett Jewel started to see Lily Dalton in a slightly more favorable light.
And so, both women plotted, each harboring their own ulterior motives and intending to use the other.
Meanwhile, Claire Mercer and Stella Thorne had spent the afternoon running errands and had finally selected their fabrics.
Over the next few days, Claire Mercer devoted all her time to creating the garments.
She had even personally embroidered the pattern on one of the outfits, intending for it to be the showstopper.
Looking at the three exquisite and magnificent classical-style outfits before them,
Roxanne Peyton and Stella Thorne couldn’t help but gasp in amazement.
"Claire, these three outfits are absolutely beautiful..."
"Especially this blue one! It’s exquisite and magnificent without being gaudy. Stella will definitely stun everyone when she wears it."
Roxanne Peyton couldn’t wait to see how Stella Thorne would look in the outfits.
She quickly urged her, "Stella, hurry up and try them on."
Claire Mercer chuckled at her impatience.
"Look at you, so eager. The whole point of today was for Stella to try them on so we can see what needs to be adjusted."
"Go on and change, Stella. I want to see how it looks on you, too."
Stella Thorne nodded and immediately changed into one of the green outfits.
The fitted cut of the emerald-green gown perfectly accentuated Stella Thorne’s graceful, slender figure.
She looked like a young maiden transported from ancient times, exuding an air of freshness and vitality.
The next outfit was red, a combination of dignity, elegance, and magnificence.
This one was all about opulence and nobility. When Stella Thorne put it on, she radiated an aura of dignity and grace.
She looked like the highest-ranking lady of the court, destined to one day rule as empress.
The final, ice-blue outfit was light and ethereal. When Stella Thorne wore it, she looked like a celestial fairy who had descended to the mortal realm.
The three outfits each had a different style.
Youthful vitality, dignified nobility, and ethereal grace...
When Stella Thorne wore them, though it was the same person with the same face, her entire aura was completely different.
As the designer, Claire Mercer was extremely satisfied with both the three designs and their final presentation.
As for Roxanne Peyton, it went without saying; she was in complete awe of her best friend.
Even Stella Thorne was struck by her own beauty, and her confidence for the first round of the competition tomorrow soared.
「The next day, Saturday, at six in the evening.」
The first semi-final officially kicked off at Rhonia Stadium.
All sixty teams of contestants were present.
However, only half of the contestants would be able to continue on this stage.
Eliminating half of the contestants in one go—the competition system was quite brutal. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
A number of young audience members were also in attendance.
Furthermore, every audience member present held a crucial right to vote.
If a team received a relatively low score from the judges but placed in the top three of the audience vote, they would receive bonus points added to their score.
The final score would determine whether they could remain on stage.
The finals would also feature a "Most Popular" award, decided by the audience.
The judges’ scores were crucial, but the audience’s votes were also very important.
Thus, winning the audience’s favor and recognition was an essential component of the competition.
With their combination of looks and talent, Claire Mercer and Stella Thorne became one of the most anticipated teams.
After the host’s opening remarks, it was time for the competing teams to face off and present their designs.
Their opponents were determined by the color of the card they drew.
Teams that drew the same color card would be pitted against each other.
