Chapter 98
Allegra had left her phone in the car. In her earlier rush to get out and pose for photos, she'd forgotten it on the back seat.
She had no choice but to turn back for it. As she hurried back, she spotted Lucinda near the side entrance.
She wore a black dress with a cream-colored trench coat over it, flat shoes, and carried a small handbag. She looked plain and understated, standing before a backdrop overflowing with flowers and ribbons.
But Allegra's gaze didn't linger on her for long.
She saw the man standing in front of Lucinda.
Early thirties, dressed in a charcoal gray suit, hair meticulously combed, holding a gold-embossed program. He was bent slightly at the waist, speaking to Lucinda.
His posture was humble, almost deferential—tinged with careful flattery, as if he were conversing with someone of great importance.
Allegra's pupils contracted slightly.
She recognized that face.
Ollie Morgan. Head of the organizing committee for the City Jewelry Design Competition. A respected veteran in the jewelry design world. His own designs had won international awards, and his standing in the industry was unshakable.
More importantly, he was a core member of this competition's judging panel—the highest-ranking one.
Allegra's fingers tightened around her phone.
When the Wipere family had first brought her back, Gemma had spent a fortune trying to hire Ollie to teach her jewelry design—hoping it would help her establish herself in high society.
But Ollie had refused.
His assistant's response had been polite but clear: Ollie only accepted students with exceptional talent. Ms. Wipere's aptitude didn't currently meet his standards.
Allegra had been so furious she'd smashed an entire set of cosmetics in her room.
How did she lack talent?
Since returning to the Wipere family, she'd learned top-tier etiquette, top-tier skills. She'd won so many awards. How dare he say she lacked talent?
Later, she'd gritted her teeth and taught herself. Pulled countless all-nighters. Sketched countless drafts.
Now she'd won second place in this competition.
She'd thought it was the perfect rebuttal to everyone who'd ever looked down on her.
But now—what was she seeing?
Ollie—the so-called master who wouldn't even meet her, who refused to see her—was now standing there, all smiles, talking to Lucinda.
Lucinda!
A bastard the Wipere family had kicked out. A hick who grew up in some backwater. A bitch who changed men like clothes!
Why?
Allegra's breathing quickened.
She stared at them, her mind racing.
What was Lucinda even doing at a place like this? She didn't know the first thing about jewelry design. Why would she come to an awards ceremony?
She must be here to seduce someone. She's targeting Ollie for his status and position—trying to latch onto someone important.
As if she's worthy.
Allegra raised her phone, aimed the camera in their direction, and snapped several shots.
From her angle, the two looked close together—almost intimate.
Her mouth curved into a sneer. She'd saved the photos. They'd be useful later.
Then she saw Lucinda turn and walk away, heading deeper into the side entrance. No doubt someone would stop her soon.
Ollie turned and headed toward the main entrance.
Allegra stood there, watching them go their separate ways, her smirk widening.
Lucinda's seduction attempt failed, didn't it?
Well, of course. What could Ollie possibly see in a country bumpkin like her?
She probably threw herself at him and got politely brushed off.
Allegra smoothed her hair, straightened her posture, and quickened her pace toward the main entrance.
Ollie stood at the door, giving instructions to security.
"Mr. Morgan, hello. I'm Allegra Wipere, second-place winner in this competition. We corresponded two years ago—do you remember?"
Ollie turned and glanced at her.
He gave a slight nod, his mouth moving faintly in acknowledgment, then turned his attention back to the security guard.
"Keep the staff entrance secure. No one gets through without a work pass."
From start to finish, he didn't say another word to Allegra. Didn't even look at her again.
Allegra's smile froze on her face.
She stood there, fingers gripping the chain of her handbag.
Why did Ollie talk to Lucinda for so long, but wouldn't spare her a single word?
Ollie had already walked into the venue.
Allegra took a deep breath, lifted her foot, and strode inside.
Inside the venue, when Lucinda entered through the side door, the lights hadn't yet dimmed.
The hall was vast—capacity for over a thousand people.
Lucinda walked forward, preparing to find her seat.
In the media section nearby, a veteran photographer was adjusting his equipment.
His lens swept across the crowd. He took a few shots of Dahlia, then a few of Allegra.
Then he turned his lens toward the side entrance corridor.
His finger froze.
In the viewfinder, a woman in a black dress stood unadorned—no excess jewelry.
No one seemed to notice her presence.
But standing there, she was a painting.
The photographer had been in the business for years, photographed countless celebrities, socialites, heiresses. He thought he'd become immune to "beauty."
But now, staring at that face in the viewfinder, he pressed the shutter repeatedly.
Cameras don't lie.
This woman was more beautiful than all the socialites and heiresses here today combined.
He glanced down at the photos of Dahlia he'd just taken. Compared to this woman, Dahlia's refinement suddenly seemed hollow.
The photographer lowered his camera and stole another glance at the woman.
She had no idea anyone was photographing her. Her mouth curved slightly, her eyes carrying a softness she herself hadn't even noticed.
Allegra sat down in the VIP section at the back.
Her gaze kept drifting toward the entrance. She was restless.
She pulled out her phone and opened her chat with Marshall.
Since that day, she'd sent him countless messages. But Marshall hadn't replied once.
She sighed, refusing to give up. She typed a line on the screen, deleted it, typed another, deleted again.
After several attempts, she finally sent something.
[Marshall, I'm about to go onstage to accept my award. This is the most important moment for me. I hope you can be by my side.]
After sending it, she stared at the screen.
It showed "read," but no reply came.
She couldn't help but clench her hand.
Then the screen lit up.
[Okay. Be there soon.]
Allegra's eyes lit up instantly. She turned and leaned toward Gemma, lowering her voice, unable to hide her excitement. "Mom, Marshall's coming."
Gemma's eyes brightened too. She set down her program and grabbed Allegra's hand. "Good, good. Allegra, you have to seize this opportunity. When he gets here, stay close to him. Men—you have to make them feel like you can't live without them. That's when they'll treat you well."
Allegra nodded, her smile deepening.
Marshall was the biggest card in her hand. She absolutely couldn't lose him.
Now let's see how Lucinda could compete with her.
Out of habit, her gaze drifted toward the side entrance—
And she froze completely.
Lucinda.
How did she get in? What gave her the right to get in?
And Lucinda had sat down in the VIP section?
Allegra clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes, trying to see which family's section Lucinda was seated in.
She squinted—and saw the name on their table clearly.
"Douglas."
Douglas? The Douglas family?