Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Priscilla shook her head. "To be honest, I've been so busy taking care of my child lately, I haven't really been keeping up."

"Taking care of your child?" Tatum looked at Priscilla in shock. "You have a child?"

Priscilla smiled, her face radiating a mother's gentle love. "Yes, my child is already four years old."

"Four years old?" Tatum counted on her fingers. "But you were still in school four years ago, weren't you? Sorry, that was a bit forward of me." Realizing what she'd said, Tatum quickly apologized.

"It's okay. You're not the first person to be curious." Priscilla said with complete openness. "I did have Verity before I started school. It's just that the child's father died in an accident." Seeing the sorrow in Priscilla's expression, Tatum changed the subject.

"Why don't we go find Ms. Turner? She'd probably love to see you," Tatum suggested.

"I was just thinking the same thing." Priscilla put down her champagne and straightened her dress.

The judges were chatting in another corner. Besides Aries, there were other renowned designers from all over the world. Priscilla spotted Aries from a distance. Though over fifty, she still had long blonde hair and was wearing a black sequined gown that made her look exceptionally gentle. It had been over a year, but Aries hadn't changed a bit.

"Vera? Is that you?" Aries stood up when she saw Priscilla. Her golden eyes sparkled as she looked at her. "It's been over a year, and you've gotten even more beautiful!"

Priscilla gracefully exchanged pleasantries with Aries, who proudly introduced her to everyone. Watching Priscilla from a distance, Tatum couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

Speaking of the competition, Priscilla couldn't help but ask, "You've always stayed in Novaria and rarely served as a judge abroad. What made you come out this time?"

Aries waved her hand. "Don't even mention it. The school sent me. The flight alone was over ten hours!" She wasn't young anymore, and in recent years, she rarely traveled so far unless it was necessary. Crossing half the globe was a bit much for her.

Priscilla chuckled at Aries' words. "In that case, I'll treat you to dinner after the awards ceremony." She then pulled the person behind her forward. "And Tatum, she's missed you too."

Aries recognized Tatum immediately. "The third-place winner, I remember you." she said thoughtfully. "Since you're Vera's friend, why don't you join us?"

While Priscilla and Aries were chatting, someone in the shadows secretly filmed the scene with a miniature camera. Phones weren't allowed at the banquet, so Priscilla was unaware that she was being secretly filmed.

Aries had to mingle with the other judges, so after a brief chat, Priscilla and Tatum left.

Soon, Algernon came down from the upstairs lounge, instantly drawing everyone's attention. He walked straight to Priscilla. "Congratulations."

Priscilla looked at him, still a little dazed. "For what?"

"Starting today, all of the Visconti Group's ready-to-wear brands will be collaborating with the Grayson Group, and you will be the chief designer." Algernon said calmly.

Priscilla was momentarily stunned. "The chief designer for all of the Visconti Group's ready-to-wear brands?" She couldn't believe her ears.

All eyes in the room were on Priscilla, a mix of jealousy and envy. Pearl looked like she was about to rush forward and pull them apart. Priscilla ignored the stares.

"Priscilla, this is a new opportunity for us. You have to seize it!" Mireille had appeared by her side at some point. She winked at Priscilla, looking mysterious and playful.

Priscilla turned to Algernon. "Since Mr. Visconti has spoken, I will definitely give it my all."

The Golden Throne was a highly prestigious award, and tonight, all eyes were on Priscilla. But the trending news had taken a different turn. By the time the banquet ended and Priscilla got her phone back, she saw the top trending topic.

#NewGoldenThroneWinnerAndJudgeAreTeacherandStudent

#InsideTheGoldenThrone

Similar comments were endless. Although she had expected some controversy after winning the gold medal, Priscilla hadn't expected it to come so quickly.

Leaning back in her office chair and looking out at the city skyline, Priscilla took a deep breath. It was impossible to say she wasn't affected.

A knock sounded at the door, and before Priscilla could react, it was pushed open from the outside. Mireille, dressed in a smart business suit, walked in briskly, holding a stack of documents.

"I've already had someone look into it. It's clear that someone is manipulating public opinion. We've already paid to have the news suppressed, and the lawyers are ready. If you want, we can hold a press conference right now," she said. She had prepared for this on the night of the win, and it had turned out to be useful.

Priscilla rubbed her temples wearily. "Let's not hold a press conference so soon. It'll look like we were prepared for this," she said. She knew who was behind it without even having to think.

Mireille placed a tablet in front of Priscilla. On the screen was the footage of her conversation with Aries from that night. The person who took the photo had deliberately excluded Tatum, creating the illusion that only the two of them were there.

"The problem is, there's more than one photo like this. There are three in a row. Although they're a bit blurry, you can still recognize the people." Mireille said angrily. Even if they asked Tatum to testify now, it would be useless. She had also studied abroad. She couldn't prove Priscilla's innocence and might even get dragged into it herself.

Priscilla raised her hand. "I never intended to ask Tatum to testify for me." She didn't want to involve anyone else.

Mireille sat down across from her, looking at her thoughtfully. "It seems you already have a plan?" she asked. The deadliest thing about rumors is that they are difficult to disprove. Even with evidence, those who don't want to believe, won't.

Priscilla glanced at her phone. "The Golden Throne is the most impartial award in Avalonia right now. With its integrity being questioned like this, who do you think is more anxious, me or the Golden Throne staff?"

Mireille frowned. "The Golden Throne, I suppose?" Once an award's fairness is questioned, it's a difficult road ahead.

"You should have the number for the head of the Golden Throne committee, right?" Priscilla put down her phone.