Olivia was stunned for a moment. She got up to looked around, and finally incredulously confirmed that he had left early.
Another doctor, Nathan, who came with them, was also looking for him. He came over to Olivia and asked, "Where did Dr. Lucas go?"
Olivia shook her head. "I don't know. He didn't tell me."
Nathan took out his phone to call him. "Shall it be only just a few of us who will communicate later?"
Joseph was the most important person among them. When he was not around, they all felt a bit tense.
It was obvious that no one answered the phone.
"Well, Nathan, you'll have to take over."
Nathan helplessly shrugged his shoulders. There was nothing else to do at the moment.
Thinking of something, Octavia's expression was not good, but she still forced a smile at Nathan and encouraged him. "Nathan, you can do it for sure."
After saying these words, she looked at the seat where Joseph had been sitting. Her eyes gradually revealed a sense of hurt.
After two hours of intense competition, the judges of the design competition handed their scores to the host.
Harper stood with Aria and Patrick, all looking nervous.
The host announced the list of winners one by one, and Aria got fourth place.
She hugged Harper tightly with joy and said, "I'm already very satisfied. Harper, you are more talented than me and you will surly get a better ranking!"
Harper smiled. "We have done our best."
Though she expressed it gently, when the host suspensefully called out her name after announcing the first place, Harper couldn't help but get excited.
"Now, let's welcome the first-place winner, Harper, to explain to us what kind of meaning her work holds that makes it so soulful."
Joseph, who had hurried to the venue, happened to step in at this moment.
Upon hearing this, a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
She did it and got first place.
No wonder she was so against withdrawing from the competition when he suggested it yesterday.
It turned out she was confident in her ability to win.
Harper stood below the stage, feeling a bit incredulous.
Patrick nudged her. "It's your turn to go up."
"Okay!"
She walked up to the stage unsteadily and took the microphone from the host's hand. After taking a deep breath, she slowly began to speak.
Standing under the dazzling lights, Harper felt that everything in front of her seemed as beautiful as a dream.
She firmly believed that she was getting closer to her dream.
"First of all, I want to thank judges for your recognition."
"My design was inspired by an earthquake a few years ago. My father was involved in the rescue at that time, so I have faced disasters and witnessed despair and rebirth.
"Daisies are flowers of hope. As long as you hold onto hope, you can survive in desperate situations. The patterns on the skirt represent some scenes from the earthquake."
After she finished speaking, thunderous applause filled the venue.
Some of those who had experienced the earthquake even had tears in their eyes.
Joseph stood not far away watching this scene, feeling a bit moved as well.
He was about to step forward, but he saw Patrick had already reached the front of the stage and embraced Harper warmly.
"I knew you would win!"
Harper was unaware of Joseph's arrival. She only knew that she had won the competition, and it was all thanks to Patrick and her colleagues' help.
She smiled at Patrick. And for the first time, she hugged him back warmly, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Patrick. If you hadn't encouraged me all along, I wouldn't have achieved such a good ranking."
Other contestants watching this scene from below the stage were envious. "Look at her boyfriend. He supports her on the road to her dreams. When will I ever have such a man?"
"It's hard to find a man that handsome. And they're in the same field. They're a perfect pair!"
Joseph stood in the crowd, listening to these praising remarks. He looked at the smiling couple on stage, feeling extremely displeased.
He didn't want to stay any longer. Then he turned around and left.
He even felt that his impulsive decision to rush over and leave the exchange meeting was extremely foolish.
Feeling a bit embarrassed and angry, Joseph hurriedly left the venue.
Harper stood on the stage. Amidst the congratulations around her, she suddenly felt something and subconsciously looked into the distance.
Sure enough, she caught a glimpse of a white figure passing by.
Harper couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Was it Joseph?
As this thought crossed her mind, Harper self-mockingly tugged at the corner of her mouth.
It couldn't be him.
Joseph always thought she didn't understand design at all. He didn't care about her work content and didn't care about her.
He was the least likely to show up here.