Chapter 163 Humiliating Oneself
Faced with Parker's arrogant questioning, Stefan didn't respond immediately.
Stefan turned his head, his gaze finally landing on Parker. There was no anger in his eyes, only a condescending scrutiny that made Parker's voice cut off abruptly.
"What am I?"
Stefan unhurriedly adjusted his cufflinks, every movement exuding elegance and composure.
"I forgot to introduce myself." His tone was flat, but his words sent shockwaves through everyone present.
"This show, from concept to project approval, to sponsorship and production, is entirely led by an entertainment company under the Hensley Group."
He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping across the room before finally settling on Parker's stunned face.
"And I am the sole investor in this project, and the final decision-maker."
"So you're asking me what gives me the right?" A smile curved Stefan's lips, but there was no warmth in it. "The answer is simple: on this show, what I say is the rule."
The room fell into dead silence.
Sole investor. Final decision-maker.
These words carried more weight than any threat. It meant Stefan wasn't just the money behind the show—he was the absolute master of this stage.
He had the power to decide anyone's fate, and could even shut down the entire project.
Parker, who had been so aggressive moments ago, instantly went pale.
Parker's mouth hung open, his throat tight, unable to say a word.
The contestants behind him all lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound. Their earlier united front had been completely extinguished by this cold reality.
Isadora's body swayed uncontrollably, her nails digging into her palms, bringing sharp pain.
She knew Stefan was an investor, but she never imagined his authority extended this far.
She thought by rallying all the contestants, she could control the show's lifeline.
Now she realized that in the face of absolute capital and power, her little schemes were completely worthless.
"Now," Stefan's voice rang out again, breaking the suffocating silence, "I'm giving you one more chance. Accept the re-ranking results, or leave now."
He raised his wrist and glanced at his expensive watch.
"You have one minute to decide."
One minute.
Time passed in absolute silence, each second feeling impossibly long.
No one moved.
Not a single person.
The thirty-plus people who had just been shouting about mass withdrawal and defending "fairness" now all stood with their heads down, motionless, even deliberately softening their breathing.
Quit?
This wasn't just a competition—it was their only springboard into the top design circles, their chance at fame, resources, and a life-changing opportunity.
Give up all this to offend Stefan over some abstract notion of "fairness"?
No one was that stupid.
Besides, most of them knew deep down that they were in the wrong. There was no reason for Amelia to have been eliminated.
Cecilia watched this ridiculous scene coldly, watching these people transform from righteous indignation to humble submission, a mocking glint passing through her eyes.
So-called alliances were laughably fragile in the face of absolute interests and power.
Standing beside her, Verity was also dumbstruck, then understanding dawned on her face, showing contempt and disdain.
The minute was up.
Stefan lowered his wrist, his expression unchanged, as if he'd expected this outcome all along.
"Good." He looked at Saul. "Since no one's quitting, let's continue."
"All cameras, lighting, sound—get in position!" Saul, as if granted a pardon, immediately grabbed his walkie-talkie and started directing. "Control room, prepare to re-record, starting from the announcement of the judges' live scores!"
The crew quickly sprang into action, and the stage lights came back on.
The uproar that could have overturned the competition was forcibly erased.
But the atmosphere had completely changed.
Isadora and the contestants behind her all looked pale, standing there stiffly, waiting for the final verdict.
Recording resumed.
When the host announced in the most enthusiastic voice that all five judges had given perfect scores, thunderous applause filled the venue.
The final comprehensive ranking appeared on the big screen.
First place: Amelia.
First in audience voting, first in professional judging.
A crushing, overwhelming victory.
She stood center stage under the spotlight, her expression still calm, peacefully accepting the result that had always belonged to her.
But this calmness, in Isadora's eyes, became the ultimate humiliation.
Isadora watched her accept everyone's congratulations and applause, the poisonous fire of jealousy burning in her chest, nearly consuming her rationality.
Isadora had lost.
She had lost completely.
After the competition ended, the internet exploded.
All the viewers were extremely curious about the segment that had been cut from the live broadcast.
[What exactly happened? Why did it suddenly go black for over half an hour?]
[Are there any audience members who were there? Come out and spill! There's definitely some explosive news!]
[I bet Isadora was upset and caused a scene! Her face looked terrible at the end!]
[The million-vote queen almost got eliminated by rigging, and now she got perfect scores from the judges—this plot is too intense! We need the full version of that cut segment!]
Public opinion was fermenting, with countless speculations and discussions pushing the show's popularity to new heights.
And the instigator of all this, Isadora, locked herself in the corner of her car after leaving the venue.
The car interior was pitch black, only the light from her phone screen illuminating her sinister, twisted face.
She scrolled repeatedly through the online praise for Amelia and mockery of herself, her chest churning with resentment and malice.
She had lost the open fight.
But she would never admit defeat.
Isadora suddenly thought of something, her eyes shifting as a vicious plan quickly formed in her mind.
She opened her contacts and dialed a number.
"Hello." Her voice was very low, full of malice. "I have some explosive news about Amelia, the champion of this design competition. Yes, money's no problem."
After hanging up, Isadora looked at the rapidly retreating street scene outside the window, a cold smile slowly curving her lips.
Amelia, you think you've won?
Talent? Popularity?
In the face of dirty public opinion and human malice, these things are worthless.
Soon, a small account specializing in entertainment gossip posted a long article online.
The article, from the perspective of an "insider," vividly twisted everything that had happened at the competition.
In this description, Amelia was no longer a talented designer, but a bimbo who, backed by an investor, arrogantly stole the advancement spot that should have belonged to the thirtieth-place contestant, Daisy. The eliminated contestant was portrayed as a hardworking tragic figure ruthlessly crushed by capital.
At the end of the article was a suggestive blurry side-view photo of Stefan and Amelia standing together.
【Shocking! Design Rising Star Is Capital's Plaything? Exclusive Exposé of the Dirty Dealings Behind Amelia!】
This inflammatory and misleading article quickly spread through the online discourse, which had just been full of praise moments before.