Chapter 36 Planning to Tell Her About Your Identity
Hearing Xandra's proposal, Vivian's gaze flickered.
She knew her own abilities well enough – naturally, she didn't want to compete against Xandra in front of everyone.
"Ms. Cross, today is for the company to select designers. Let's not waste the judges' valuable time on someone irrelevant."
Since Xandra had nearly embarrassed Simone earlier, she naturally held no goodwill toward her.
"You're absolutely right! Xandra, please leave immediately and stop making trouble here!" Simone said coldly.
Xandra pressed her red lips together lightly, meeting Vivian's challenging gaze without immediately responding.
Then Brinley spoke leisurely: "I don't have other plans this morning. I'd actually love to see both of your true abilities."
Once she spoke up, the other judges quickly chimed in agreement.
Xandra's heart stirred. Grateful for Brinley's intervention, she nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
She asked Vivian again: "Vivian, do you dare compete with me?"
Vivian felt trapped between a rock and a hard place – agreeing wasn't good, but neither was refusing.
Though Simone found Xandra distasteful, since Brinley had spoken, she could only go along: "Vivian, since she won't give up, compete with her and make her lose convincingly."
Vivian forced a smile. "Alright, I'll follow Ms. Cross's suggestion. Xandra, how do you want to compete?"
Xandra glanced at the participants present and spoke: "Everyone came here today for the design competition. Why don't we have the judges create an impromptu challenge? I'll participate along with all the contestants, including Vivian, and we'll submit our designs within the time limit. How about that?"
This would essentially put Vivian in direct competition with everyone else – her true abilities would be crystal clear.
The judges exchanged glances and all nodded in agreement.
Vivian had no choice but to join the competition alongside the other participants.
Brinley consulted quietly with the other judges before announcing the topic:
"Everyone will design jewelry inspired by nature – whatever pieces speak to your hearts. You have twenty minutes."
As soon as she finished, the participants began thinking. Some immediately started sketching, while others remained deep in thought.
Hearing this topic, Vivian couldn't help but feel relieved. She'd designed meaningful jewelry like this before – it wouldn't be difficult for her.
Glancing at Xandra, who was preparing to start sketching, she smiled coldly.
Though her natural talent fell short of Xandra's, after receiving Xandra's guidance several times plus her work experience at Russell Jewelry, her design skills had improved dramatically.
Today, she refused to believe she'd lose to Xandra!
In the CEO's office, Frederick sat before his computer, watching the video feed of Xandra concentrating on her drawing. The corner of his mouth curved slightly.
What a silver-tongued woman – with just a few words, she'd gotten Brinley on her side.
He was certain she'd win today's competition.
Just then, the door opened and Philip walked in, holding his phone with the competition video playing.
"Fred, isn't that Xandra? She's actually in some kind of face-off?"
"Is there a problem with that?" Frederick said mildly.
"Your woman can do whatever she wants." Philip leaned against the desk, raising an eyebrow. "Are you planning to bring Xandra into the company to help you?"
Frederick's deep-set eyes focused on the screen, his long fingers tapping lightly on the desktop.
"She's my wife, the CEO's wife of Russell Group. It's time she started getting some experience."
Philip raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to tell Xandra your real identity?"
Frederick leaned back slightly. "Not yet. The timing isn't right."
They'd only been married recently – he hadn't enjoyed enough of ordinary life yet.
At Riverside Estates, Richard and the three children were also watching the live stream.
All three kids were nervous for their mommy.
"Great-grandpa, she's a bad woman. She's the one who stole Mr. York from Mommy and called Mommy a plagiarist."
"Yeah, she's so mean!" Elizabeth and Margaret complained angrily while watching the video.
Richard perked up with interest. "Oh? Tell me all about this."
Elizabeth and Margaret eagerly recounted the whole tangled situation between Xandra, Lucius, and Vivian.
Richard stroked his chin. "It's alright – every cloud has a silver lining. If that woman hadn't stolen your mommy's fiancé, your mommy never would have married my grandson."
"That's right!" Elizabeth and Margaret nodded enthusiastically.
Richard changed the subject: "Do you like Mr. Flores?"
"We do! Great-grandpa, we love Mr. Flores, not Mr. York!" the two little girls immediately declared.
Richard said deliberately: "But I can tell your mommy doesn't like my grandson enough yet."
Elizabeth and Margaret looked at him in confusion.
Richard continued like the Big Bad Wolf coaxing Little Red Riding Hood: "If your mommy doesn't fall completely for my grandson, their relationship will get worse and worse. Without feelings, they'll separate, and then you won't get to see my grandson anymore."
Hearing this, Elizabeth and Margaret panicked. "We don't want to lose Mr. Flores!"
Charles, the clever little one, asked: "Great-grandpa, what are you getting at?"
Richard said: "I'm thinking we should give them some alone time to develop their relationship. How about you come away with me for a while?"
Charles frowned. "Where?"
"I have an old friend who lives in the countryside outside Seaside City. I'll take you there for a few days."
Richard coaxed them: "It's huge there – flowers, grass, fresh air. Much more fun than here."
Elizabeth and Margaret hesitated, reluctant to leave.
"Great-grandpa, Mommy and Mr. Flores can still develop feelings even with us here."
Richard shook his head. "It's not the same. With you here, your mommy will be distracted taking care of you and neglect my grandson. Only if she focuses entirely on my grandson will their relationship heat up quickly."
Elizabeth and Margaret were uncertain and both looked at Charles.
Charles thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
Raymond had earned eighty points in his book. The remaining twenty depended on how his mommy felt about Raymond.
If his mommy never came to like Raymond, even high marks wouldn't matter. This was part of testing Raymond too!
"I'll make a call and have someone pick us up."
Seeing the children agree, Richard was delighted and got up to make the call.
To help his eldest grandson maintain his cover, he temporarily couldn't bring the children back to Russell Manor. Fortunately, his longtime butler's hometown was in the Seaside City countryside – he planned to take the children there for a visit.
Meanwhile, the twenty minutes were up, and all participants stopped working.
Staff members collected everyone's designs and handed them to the judges for on-site evaluation.
Vivian's nerves were stretched tight. Glancing at Xandra's calm expression, she couldn't help feeling anxious.
Though she kept telling herself she wouldn't lose to Xandra, Xandra's design talent made her burn with jealousy.
She could only hope Xandra would have an off day today.