Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Isabella's gossipy curiosity was written all over her face. "Come on, spill! How exactly do you and Damien know each other?"

"I've known him for over twenty years, and I've never seen him give any girl a second glance, let alone go out of his way to warn someone not to talk. There's definitely something going on here!"

Beatrice, unable to escape her persistent shaking, instinctively glanced toward the top-floor VIP viewing room.

She spoke casually, "Nothing special. I ran into him on the street in Luminous City before, helped him out with a small favor, and later when I was kidnapped by Jacques's men, he rescued me. That's all."

She deliberately omitted all the details of their private moments, leaving only the most inconsequential facts.

But to Isabella's ears, these words struck like a thunderbolt.

She released Beatrice's wrist and covered her mouth with both hands. "Oh my God! This is the red thread of fate!"

Beatrice was startled by her sudden reaction and looked at her in confusion. "What red thread of fate?"

"Isn't this fate enough?" Isabella looked at her as if it were obvious. "You saved him, then he saved you—this is a hero saving a damsel in distress, destiny itself!"

As she spoke, she suddenly seemed to see through Beatrice's concerns and waved her hand dismissively with a knowing look. "Oh~ I know what you're thinking!"

"You're worried that since I've liked him for so many years, I'd be jealous knowing about your connection with him, right?"

Beatrice said nothing, just looked at her, the surprise in her eyes already exposing her thoughts clearly.

She had indeed been thinking exactly that. After all, Isabella had openly expressed her feelings for Damien. Any girl who learned that someone she'd been devoted to for years had such an intersection with another woman would inevitably feel some resentment.

To her surprise, Isabella burst out laughing at her expression.

After finally composing herself, she reached out to link arms with Beatrice again, her tone utterly candid. "What's there to be jealous about? I've been chasing him for twenty years—I know his cold, stubborn personality inside and out."

"My whole life, I've never seen him take an interest in any woman. Forget taking interest—he finds it annoying to even talk to them for more than a few sentences."

"If he could actually fall for someone, I'd be thrilled!" Isabella raised an eyebrow, looking at Beatrice seriously. "Even if he doesn't like me and chooses you instead, it wouldn't affect our relationship one bit."

"We're kindred spirits, friends who click—it has nothing to do with Damien. I'm not going to lose a friend I get along with over some man. That would be stupid!"

Beatrice truly hadn't expected her to say something like this and stood frozen in place.

She'd seen too many best friends turn against each other over men and had been prepared for Isabella to be upset, but the other woman had completely exceeded her expectations.

She quickly shook her head, her tone somewhat helpless as she earnestly explained, "Isabella, you've really misunderstood."

"I don't have any feelings for Damien. We just crossed paths by chance. He saved me, and I'm grateful, but that's all there is to it."

Isabella looked unconvinced and winked at her. "Maybe that's all you think it is!"

"This is the first time I've ever seen Damien meddle in something like this. Forget saving people—even if the sky were falling, as long as it didn't interfere with The Crimson Brotherhood's business, he wouldn't even lift an eyelid."

As soon as she finished speaking, Emily, who was nearby, became indignant and immediately leaned over, frowning as she interrupted. "Hey, what do you mean 'meddle'?"

"Our Bea was targeted and kidnapped by that Jacques creep because she helped him. It was his duty to rescue her—anyone would have done the same. How can you call that meddling?"

"That's true in principle, but you don't know him." Isabella shook her finger at Emily and lowered her voice mysteriously.

"Under normal circumstances, even if someone got dragged into trouble because of him, he'd at most have his subordinates handle it and provide compensation. He would absolutely never personally risk danger to save someone himself."

Emily was instantly stunned by these words.

She turned her head thoughtfully to look at Beatrice beside her, her eyes full of barely concealed gossip as she scrutinized her up and down, as if trying to read something from her face.

Beatrice felt uncomfortable under her gaze and helplessly pressed her hand to her forehead, quickly interrupting. "All right, all right, let's stop talking about these irrelevant things."

"The most important thing today is the competition. They're about to announce the list of finalists advancing to the creative presentation round."

Her words immediately pulled Emily's attention back. She patted her chest, looking nervous. "Right, right, right! The competition comes first! I almost forgot the main event!"

"Bea, don't worry. Your design is so amazing—you'll definitely advance! If those judges don't pick you, they're absolutely blind!"

Meanwhile, John, who had been sitting quietly to the side without saying much, was now frowning slightly, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the surface of his water bottle, his gaze fixed on Beatrice's profile, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He'd actually felt something was off for a while now.

From the moment Damien had risked his own life to rescue Beatrice from Jacques's clutches, he'd sensed that this man had different feelings for Beatrice.

But later, when he'd personally heard Damien tell Jacques's men without batting an eye that he was Beatrice's fiancé, that doubt had been instantly suppressed.

He figured the boss of The Crimson Brotherhood wouldn't stoop to stealing another man's fiancée.

Moreover, once this competition ended, they would immediately return home, back to their own city, and would most likely never cross paths with Damien again.

Even if Damien had developed feelings for Beatrice, separated by vast distances, he couldn't stir up any trouble. There was nothing to worry about.

At this thought, John's furrowed brow relaxed somewhat, and his gaze toward Beatrice returned to its usual gentleness.

He handed her an opened bottle of water, speaking softly. "Don't worry. Your design is stunning enough—you'll definitely be fine."

Beatrice accepted the water and smiled at him.

Just then, the lights in the venue suddenly dimmed, and the previously noisy audience section quieted down considerably.

The spotlight on stage lit up, and the host walked onto the stage with a smile, her clear voice carrying through the speakers throughout the entire venue. "Ladies and gentlemen, contestants, good morning! Welcome to the finals of this International Design Competition!"