Chapter 40
As the competition kicked off, the air turned electric. The stage lights dimmed, and one by one, models strutted out with elegance and
grace
Greta’s creations, spun from luxurious fabrics and teamed with opulent jewels, epitomized graceful sophistication. She nailed the regal vibe, and the crowd was absolutely captivated. Thunderous applause echoed through the room, setting the bar sky–high.
The judges were all in agreement, giving her scores above 9.5. Word spread quickly. “Greta’s the unexpected star of the night. She’s surely the one to beat.”
When Greta’s segment wrapped up, Cameron finally exhaled, shifting his focus to searching for Nellie. But as the next contestants took the stage, Cameron couldn’t hide his disappointment. None of them had the features he was hoping to see. He was about ready to give up on finding Nellie.
The scores for those who followed didn’t quite match up to Greta’s, which secretly pleased her. She was almost certain she had the win
the bag.
Then came the last contestant, whose fashion show lit up the stage, drawing cheers from the audience.
“Wow, these outfits are so original. Each one is unique in its own way.”
Feeling the heat, Greta leaned over to a fellow contestant and whispered, “Who’s number 30? These designs don’t look like a newbie’s work. They seem like they’re from a seasoned pro.”
The contestant, a student from the Milan Fashion Institute, eagerly replied, “She probably comes from the same country as you. Her name’s Nathalie.”
Greta mumbled, “Nathalie?”
The name didn’t ring a bell; it wasn’t familiar in the fashion world.
Suddenly, a noise drew Greta’s attention to Cameron, who looked flustered.
Cameron murmured, “Isn’t Nathalie Nathan’s chief designer?”
Greta’s face went pale in an instant. What were the chances?
Both Greta and Cameron found themselves staring at the podium. As the runway segment concluded, it was time for the designer to explain her design concepts.
When Nellie stepped up, exuding confidence, her eyes briefly met Cameron’s and Greta’s. She realized that the reunion she dreaded was unavoidable.
Cameron’s gaze was locked on Nellie. Though her silhouette was slender, her posture was dignified, radiating a graceful elegance
At first glance, she didn’t look like Nellie, but he knew her too well after spending so many years together. Slowly, he recognized her
Cameron’s fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white. He remembered the grueling trip he took to Australia as he searched for her, only to be misled by federal agents into thinking she had met a tragic fate. The guilt had been eating at him.
And here she was, alive and flourishing.
