Chapter 35 Have Him Secretly Protect the President's Wife
Vivian was accompanying Design Department Director Simone Cross, welcoming a special guest judge.
The woman was over fifty but still carried herself with elegant, timeless style. She was Brinley Barber, the internationally acclaimed jewelry design master whose reputation spanned continents.
"Ms. Cross, I don't recall our company inviting Ms. Brinley Barber as a competition judge?"
Vivian asked Simone in a low voice.
For a regional design contest like today's, they usually wouldn't bring in someone of Brinley's caliber to preside over things.
"I only got the notification last night before bed. Must be orders from upstairs," Simone explained. "Looks like management is taking this design competition seriously."
Vivian nodded, not pressing further. After finishing the reception for Brinley, she began taking attendance of the participants.
Outside the conference room, Xandra arrived with Aiden.
"Xandra, this is the competition venue. Please go in."
"Alright."
Xandra nodded slightly and pushed the door open.
Aiden didn't enter. Instead, he pulled out his phone to report to Frederick.
"Mr. Russell, she's been delivered safely."
In the CEO's office, Frederick acknowledged with a grunt and opened his computer.
"Stay there and keep watch."
"Yes, sir."
Aiden understood. The CEO wanted him to secretly protect his wife, and if she faced any trouble inside, he'd step in to shield her.
In the conference room, Vivian had just finished calling the last participant's name when she saw Xandra enter. Her expression immediately soured.
"How did you get in here? This is a restricted competition area. Unauthorized personnel need to leave immediately!"
Xandra didn't respond right away. Her gaze swept the room and landed on the judges' panel in the front row.
Brinley was here too!
That was her idol – she never expected Brinley to judge in person!
Xandra's heart fluttered with excitement.
Brinley's early career was legendary. She wasn't formally trained, starting as just a sales assistant at a jewelry retail store. But through pure talent, she taught herself the craft, working her way up from design assistant to designer, eventually becoming an internationally renowned master. She was the jewelry industry's ultimate success story.
Xandra had been feeling anxious before. Since Vivian was now the head designer at Russell Jewelry, she worried the company would protect their own.
But with Brinley here, her fears melted away. Brinley was an authority in the design field – surely she would recognize true talent.
"I told you to leave. Didn't you hear me? Do I need to call security to escort you out?" Vivian's voice rose sharply when Xandra didn't respond.
Xandra snapped back to attention and smiled at her.
"Ms. Cooper, no need to get worked up. I'm also one of the registered participants. I'm here to ask face-to-face why I was eliminated in the first round."
Vivian had no idea how she'd gotten in and just wanted her gone as quickly as possible.
"Do you really need to ask? You were eliminated because your design skills are inadequate! Please leave immediately and stop disrupting our competition!"
Xandra spoke bluntly: "Is that so? Or did you abuse your authority because you didn't want me to compete?"
Vivian's expression shifted slightly. "Please don't spread nonsense here. If you don't leave right now, I really will call security!"
Xandra ignored her warning and walked to the judges' panel, extending a design sketch.
"Judges, this is my competition entry. I'd appreciate your review. I sincerely want to understand where my design skills fall short."
Several judges leaned in to look.
Brinley put on her glasses and examined it carefully.
Xandra had designed an asymmetrical beaded tassel necklace. She'd boldly used innovative color combinations that gave the piece exceptional visual impact. Both the design style and creativity were first-rate.
Brinley's eyes lit up. "You designed this?"
"Yes, please offer your guidance."
"It's beautifully crafted, truly inspired." Brinley praised it genuinely.
The other judges nodded in agreement.
"This is indeed a rare, exceptional piece."
"I assume this designer isn't a newcomer?"
Xandra smiled. "That's right. I've been doing jewelry design for a while and run a small online studio."
Brinley looked at Vivian. "Ms. Cooper, could you explain why such excellent work was filtered out?"
Vivian's face went through a series of changes, her fingers nearly digging into her palms from nerves.
She steadied her emotions. "Because there are character issues. Judges, you might not be aware, but she and I have had some... unpleasant history."
She paused, glancing at Simone nearby. "She's the woman who was reported online for plagiarizing my design concepts: Xandra Cavendish."
Understanding dawned on Simone's face.
"You're that college dropout who built her little social media hobby business by ripping off Vivian's creative ideas? That single mom?"
"Russell Jewelry would never hire someone with a plagiarism record like yours." Her tone dripped with disdain.
Xandra smiled calmly. "Ms. Cross, may I ask why you assume I plagiarized Vivian's designs rather than the other way around? Is it simply because I didn't graduate college?"
Simone didn't hesitate: "Do you need to ask? You really think Vivian – a prestigious university graduate and professional designer – would steal from someone who didn't even finish school?"
It was common sense, really.
And that was exactly the response Xandra had been hoping for.
"Ms. Cross, I'm sure you've heard the saying: education doesn't equal ability. The design industry requires intuition and creativity – things no diploma can provide."
"Take the simplest example: Ms. Brinley Barber didn't graduate from a design program either. Would you deny her design capabilities?"
Brinley nodded slightly in agreement.
Simone was caught off guard, not expecting Xandra to bring Brinley into this.
If she dismissed designers without formal education, wouldn't that be insulting Brinley too?
"That's... you can't compare yourself to Ms. Barber! She's a once-in-a-century talent. Not everyone has her natural gifts!"
Xandra remained composed. "I respect Ms. Barber deeply, but I won't sell myself short either."
Brinley glanced at her approvingly.
Simone felt stung and grew irritated.
"Don't try to muddy the waters here! We're talking about your plagiarism of Vivian's work. I've seen the jewelry in your little shop – plenty of pieces show clear influence from Vivian's designs."
"Regardless, your copying Vivian's concepts is fact! I'll say it again: no matter how talented you might be, Russell Jewelry will never hire a plagiarist."
Hearing this, Vivian's spirits lifted. With Simone backing her, she wasn't worried about whatever trouble Xandra might try to stir up.
"Ms. Cross, I can swear that I've never plagiarized any of Vivian's design concepts."
Xandra's expression grew serious: "On the contrary, several of Vivian's hit pieces were actually created with my guidance."
Simone let out a dismissive laugh. "What a boast! You claim you guided Vivian? Where's your proof?"
Xandra snapped, "If you don't believe me, have Vivian compete against me right here in front of everyone!"