Chapter 98
Elara had received Sabrina's instructions early that morning, so she'd already been secretly keeping an eye on Cynthia.
Seeing the change in Cynthia's expression, she immediately sidled up to her ingratiatingly: "Mom, what do you think of Sabrina's performance?"
Cynthia nodded slightly with reserved approval: "It seems this Sabrina is indeed a bit better than Charlotte."
Elara quickly chimed in: "Mom, you're so right! Alexander is really pitiful. Back then, he was forced to marry that idiot Charlotte for the family alliance. If only he had married Sabrina instead."
A gleam flashed in Cynthia's eyes as she chided Elara: "What's the point of talking about this now?"
But Elara wouldn't let it go, she asked in a low voice. "Mom, does Sabrina have a chance to marry Alexander?"
Cynthia glanced at Elara: "Doesn't she have health problems? We'll talk about it after she's better."
Elara's heart leaped with barely concealed joy.
Great, Cynthia had finally softened!
Compared to Charlotte, who was always meek and submissive, working like a servant and completely embarrassing. She naturally preferred Sabrina, who graduated from a prestigious overseas university and had a fashion background.
What's more, Sabrina had always treated her extremely well and shared many common interests with her. She'd even just promised to lend her the sapphire pendant she won for a whole month.
Unlike that stingy Charlotte, who wouldn't even let her take a look.
So she only approved of Sabrina.
At that moment, Sabrina who was performing on the stage also noticed the commotion in the audience.
She knew her plan had succeeded.
She hadn't followed Calvin's suggestion. Instead, she decisively gave up the chance to perform last, precisely so that, like now, she could capture all the judges' and audience's attention before Charlotte took the stage.
Making them marvel and be amazed by her.
This way, when Charlotte came on next, everyone would still be immersed in her performance, unable to pull themselves away.
As for Charlotte, no one would want to watch her performance then, and she'd end up completely reduced to a supporting role and cannon fodder.
Simply wonderful!
Soon, Sabrina and Owen's performance ended.
Though it was supposed to be a parent-child competition, Sabrina's styling and charisma were so strong that she captured almost all the attention from the audience, so much so that Owen was reduced to her supporting role throughout.
Even so, thunderous applause still erupted from below the stage.
"Who would've thought Miss Spencer is not only great at design but also at performing—absolutely amazing!"
"Beautiful! I really didn't expect River City to have such an outstanding female designer."
"No wonder she became design director at the Forbes Group at such a young age. Mr. Forbes really has an eye for talent."
"Given time, she'll definitely have a place in the Design Association."
The three judges unanimously gave her a high score of 99.8.
The 0.2 deduction was because of Owen.
In a parent-child competition, naturally the parent and student should complement each other, but under Sabrina's spotlight, Owen was obviously more than a little weak.
But even so, Sabrina and Owen's score still leaped to become the highest of the entire event!
Even a full 1.8 points higher than the second place's 98 points.
Sabrina was extremely satisfied with her performance.
She bowed to the audience below, then led Owen off the stage, and under everyone's gaze, came to sit beside Cynthia and the others with a superior air.
As soon as she sat down, Elara warmly came over, linking arms with her and praising her non-stop.
Beside her, Alexander also nodded slightly at her, showing a trace of approval.
Even Cynthia, who usually gave her the cold shoulder, surprisingly gave her a pleasant expression this time.
As for Calvin, needless to say, before Sabrina had even settled in her seat, he gave her a thumbs up: "Beautiful!"
"Everyone's praising you, completely captivated by your performance. Now we just wait to see how Charlotte makes a fool of herself."
Calvin even rubbed his hands together excitedly: "What should I do? I can't wait already."
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he quickly pulled out his phone: "No way! I have to record Charlotte's embarrassing moment and post it online right away for everyone to enjoy!"
Sure enough, just as Sabrina had predicted.
After the stage lights completely went out, the audience below still enthusiastically discussed Sabrina's earlier performance, going on and on.
Even when the lights slowly came back on and Charlotte was already standing on stage with Philip, everyone seemed oblivious, still absorbed in appreciating and discussing Sabrina.
Even the three judges were still sighing and reminiscing.
Watching this scene, Jenna's expression gradually changed.
"Sabrina is so despicable!"
Hearing her voice, Landon, who had been focused on the stage, turned his head slightly to glance at her: "What now?"
Jenna couldn't hold back anymore and vented about how Sabrina had pretended to be generous by giving Charlotte the chance to perform last.
After listening, Landon's brow also furrowed slightly.
But he quickly turned his gaze back to the stage, his expression unchanged.
'Charlotte, you won't disappoint me, will you?' he thought.
At that moment, the music finally began to play slowly, and the spotlight shone on Charlotte and Philip.
Even so, everyone's attention was still immersed in the previous performance, and the noisy chatter even drowned out the music at times.