Chapter 301
Chapter 301
Sophie returned to the hotel and sent the video to Simon and Steve.
Benjamin stood behind her, watching the spirited young woman on the screen, his eyes dark and unreadable. That was the Sophie from deep in his memory, never faded—the treasure whose wings he had personally broken and then desperately tried to repair.
"Just release it like this?" he asked.
"No." Sophie closed the video, her expression calm. "If we release it now, it'll just turn into a long, drawn-out war of words."
"Vivienne has Alfonso backing her. They'll use countless internet trolls and fake evidence to muddy the waters. Even if I win in the end, I'll be covered in dirt. The royal family values reputation above all—they won't want a designer surrounded by controversy."
Her composure made Benjamin feel both relieved and increasingly pained. These five years had truly changed her so much.
"So what do you want to do?"
"We won't fight a public opinion war. What we're going to fight is a battle of influence."
Sophie looked at Benjamin with a sharp gleam in her eyes. "BlueWater Logistics under the Brown Group—don't they have over ten years of business dealings with a certain branch of the Monaco royal family?"
Benjamin immediately understood her intention.
"That Duke Ferdinand is the old Queen Consort's nephew, and also the junior that old Queen Consort Serafina Nightingale trusts most."
Sophie's lips finally curved into a cold smile.
She sent that video, along with a complete account of the creative journey of "Silent Fireworks" from conception to abandonment, plus an in-depth explanation of the design philosophy behind "Divine Radiance," through Ferdinand's channels, secretly presenting it to the person in Monaco who truly held final decision-making power—Serafina herself.
Meanwhile, in Vivienne's hotel suite, the atmosphere was celebratory.
Alfonso opened an expensive bottle of champagne for her, the amber liquid bubbling delicately in the glass.
"Vivienne, congratulations." Alfonso's smile carried a kind of arrogant confidence of someone in complete control.
"The royal family has already given preliminary approval to your proposal. You saw Arabella's attitude at the afternoon tea. As long as nothing goes wrong at the coronation ceremony, you're a shoo-in as the royal family's official designer. When that happens, your name will echo throughout all of Seraphim."
Vivienne felt lightheaded at his words. She held her glass, her face showing uncontrollable excitement and pride.
"Alfonso, it's all thanks to you. If it weren't for you..."
"Between us, there's no need for such formalities." Alfonso interrupted her, walking to her side, his fingers lightly brushing her flushed cheek. "I help you for my own reasons. Currently, you're my sharpest blade in Monaco."
His voice lowered, carrying a snake-like coldness. "Once your position is secure, I want you to use your royal connections to help me with a few things. First, completely cut off all of Ares Group's shipping routes in Seraphim. Second, in the name of 'endangering royal security,' file for an expulsion order against Simon and Benjamin."
Vivienne's heart jumped, her remaining rationality making her uneasy. "Alfonso, doing this... the risk is too great. If it gets discovered..."
"Discovered?" Alfonso sneered, gripping her chin and forcing her to meet his eyes. "Dead people don't talk. Just remember, everything you have now, I gave you. I can lift you to the clouds, and I can also make you fall and shatter into pieces. Understand?"
In those sinister eyes, Vivienne saw undisguised madness and murderous intent.
She trembled all over and quickly nodded. "I understand, Alfonso. I'll do whatever you say."
Alfonso released her with satisfaction, raising his glass again, his smile both playful and cruel. "Good. Come, let's toast to our future success."
...
Three days later, the Monaco royal family's final decision was announced globally through official channels.
The announcement shocked everyone following the matter.
[By unanimous decision of the Royal Selection Committee and core royal family members, the jewelry for the new Queen's coronation ceremony will use the 'Divine Radiance' design submitted by designer Sophie.]
[Additionally, the committee deeply appreciates the 'Silent Fireworks' design submitted by designer Vivienne. After communication with the designer, this design will be worn by Ms. Nightingale at the ceremony.]
This caused an uproar!
As soon as the announcement was released, social media worldwide exploded.
"What's going on? Were both designs selected? What kind of operation is this? Unheard of!"
"Am I seeing this right? One for the new Queen, one for the old Queen Consort? Who... whose design is actually better?"
"Do you even need to ask? Obviously 'Divine Radiance'—that's for the coronation! 'Silent Fireworks' is basically a consolation prize."
"You can't say that! Ms. Nightingale holds an exceptional position in Monaco. Her choosing to wear 'Silent Fireworks' is itself a huge endorsement! The prestige is no less than the Queen's!"
Online discussions quickly went off track, even evolving into a conspiracy theory carnival.
"I smell something unusual. Do you think this might be a power struggle within the royal family? The new Queen represents the new generation, while the old Queen Consort represents traditional forces?"
"Now that you mention it, that actually makes sense!"
Just as public opinion reached its peak, the royal family released another supplementary announcement:
[To recognize the exceptional talent of both designers, the royal family will simultaneously invite Ms. Scott and Ms. Ember as special guests to attend the coronation ceremony in person, to observe and receive honors.]
This move added significant fuel to the fire of "power struggle" speculation.
...
The globally anticipated coronation ceremony began via a worldwide live broadcast.
In the magnificent coronation hall, dignitaries gathered.
Vivienne wore a luxurious custom gown, sitting in the front row of the guest section. Her "security guard Vance" beside her remained heavily concealed.
At this moment, she was enjoying envious looks from all directions and the pursuit of media cameras, her face showing a restrained and proud smile, as if she could already see herself reaching the peak of her life.
Sophie and her group sat in a slightly back position, their expressions calm, out of place with the enthusiastic atmosphere around them.
When the newly crowned Queen Arabella, dressed in magnificent coronation robes and wearing the "Divine Radiance" crown constructed of countless suspended diamonds and sapphires, slowly entered the hall, the entire world seemed to fall silent.
That work of art, like a condensed galaxy, triggered thunderous applause from the audience.
Next, the elegant and dignified Serafina, supported by attendants, appeared beside Arabella.
Serafina wore another equally dazzling crown, with countless small diamonds flowing like sparks, surrounding a giant teardrop-cut pink diamond—the "Silent Fireworks."
What most shocked the conspiracy theorists was that Serafina and Arabella were all smiles throughout, their eyes affectionate, showing none of the rumored discord or rivalry.
When the ceremony reached the honor-conferring segment, the host announced in an excited voice to the whole world:
"Today, we have witnessed two masterpieces worthy of being recorded in jewelry design history—Divine Radiance and Silent Fireworks!"
"They respectively symbolize the eternal heritage and immortal glory of the Monaco royal family, as well as the spirit of dedication that burns oneself to illuminate the people!"
"Perhaps many are curious about what kind of genius designers could simultaneously create such heart-stirring works."
"Now, I am extremely honored to announce to everyone that both of these works came from the same designer! She is designer Phoenix, also known as... Ms. Scott!"
"To recognize Ms. Scott's unparalleled talent, the Monaco royal family has decided that, starting today, the Scott Group will become the exclusive chief partner for all major ceremonial jewelry for the Monaco royal family for the next ten years!"
"This is not just a business contract, but a friendship and trust that transcends borders! Let us welcome Ms. Scott to the stage with our warmest applause!"
The entire hall erupted!
The spotlight instantly moved from Vivienne, landing precisely on Sophie in the back row.
In that moment, the eyes of the entire world focused on Sophie.
The color drained completely from Vivienne's face in an instant. Her mind went blank, the enormous humiliation and disbelief leaving her body rigid, as if she'd fallen into an icy abyss.
"No! This is impossible!"
She stood up, screaming, her voice shrill and distorted from extreme anger and panic.
"'Silent Fireworks' is my work! It's mine!"