Chapter 388 An Objection to the Score
Unspoken until now, another judge had begun to suspect something unusual. "She does bear a striking resemblance to that number 16 assistant," he mused, though he found it hard to believe. After all, someone of QY's stature would never be an assistant to a newcomer.
"It's probably just a look-alike, not the same person," he concluded.At that moment, Isabella, poised on the stage, spotted Abella among the judges. Her face paled instantly.
'This girl, so young, was a judge,' she thought, her mind reeling. More importantly, a nameplate before her read QY. 'This girl was QY. The very QY I had always admired, the top American designer I had dreamed of meeting, was right there before my eyes.'
Isabella's mind went blank. 'No wonder this young woman had said she had the power to decide my fate. She truly had the clout.'
"Abella, who do you think has the most potential?" Steven asked, his gaze fixed on the stage where dozens of contestants were engrossed in their work, each exuding confidence. Their designs were nothing short of unique and creative.
Abella's eyes quickly scanned the room. "I'm betting on Abi," she casually remarked.
After all, those hundreds of videos weren't for nothing. The skills honed over time were shining through.Abigail had a deep understanding of her craft, and soon enough, an exquisite dress emerged as her creation.
Time was up. The contestants retreated backstage to don their designs for the upcoming runway show. While waiting for the entrants, the big screen displayed a collection of finished garments crafted by the contestants, now up for scoring by the ten judges on-site and the thousand-plus seasoned industry professionals in the audience.A dazzling array of attire, ranging from kimonos and hanboks to formal gowns, filled the room.
But it was Abigail's creation that instantly drew everyone's attention. Her dress stood out from the crowd, its eye-catching red hue symbolizing her American pride.
Elegantly tailored with stripes at the collar and a subtle floral pattern on the body, it incorporated quintessential American elements. Her design seamlessly blended cultural homage with modern fashion, showcasing her sharp instinct for style as a designer.
Abella's eyes gleamed with appreciation. "Not bad," she thought, "Although there's room for enhancement, it's by far superior to the others."
The moment had arrived for Abigail to take the stage since she drew the first spot. In her fitted red dress, her slender frame was complemented by a vintage hairstyle.
As she emerged against a backdrop designed to evoke the serenity of a small bridge over gently flowing water, her V-neckline accentuated the graceful lines of her collarbone and neck.
The audience was mesmerized by the nobility and elegance that seemed to radiate from her.The beauty of her presence was undeniable, so captivating that it was impossible to look away, especially when her eyes, bright and thoughtful, gazed into the distance, commanding everyone's attention.
The dress, adorned with embroidered patterns, added to its elegance and sophistication. Its sleeveless design not only flattered her figure but also enhanced the overall poise and grace of her appearance.In no time, Abella revealed her score. It was nine out of ten, just one point shy of perfection! The crowd was left in a state of shock, their collective breath stolen away.
Abigail, too, was taken aback, her heart pounding with the thrill of unexpected praise. She had been awarded nine points. Such a high score from Abella, from QY, was a commendation of the highest order. The Master himself had given Abigail this favorable assessment!Steven, another judge, echoed this high praise with a nine of his own.
The audience watched in awe, their eyes wide and mouths agape. To receive such high scores at the very beginning of the competition set a daunting standard for the other competitors to meet.
One by one, the remaining judges revealed their scores. Nine, eight, seven - not a single score dipped below seven.A thunderous round of applause filled the room as Abella picked up the microphone. With the practiced ease of a seasoned professional, she explained her reasoning behind awarding such a high score. She praised the exquisite design of the dress, her words followed by appreciative comments from the other judges.
Soon, it was time for the other contestants to present their designs. Amidst a sea of kimonos, hanboks, and evening dresses, none managed to ensnare the discerning gaze of the judges.
That was, until Isabella stepped onto the stage in a strikingly cool denim ensemble.Her outfit was trendy and distinctive, a bold fusion of national culture and contemporary chic that seemed to promise commercial success.
Yet, Abella only awarded her a six.A shadow fell over Isabella's eyes as she saw her score. She had expected this, she realized, 'After all, I had crossed Abella earlier.
Now, it seemed like payback. But as a judge, how could one misuse their power?'
A sense of injustice gnawed at her.Steven had given her a mere seven, and while the other judges awarded eights and nines, Isabella's dissatisfaction grew.
As the celebrated champion from the Russian region, the host couldn't help but single her out after the scores were announced. "How do you feel about the ratings you've been given? If I recall correctly, you've scored the second-highest following Abigail's lead," he prodded."No, I'm not pleased at all,"
Isabella admitted, her voice ringing out. "I take issue with QY's score."Murmurs rippled through the audience as all eyes turned toward Abella. Lifting her gaze with composure, Abella locked eyes with Isabella on the stage.
Sensing a potential scoop, the host pressed on, "Why is that? Just because QY gave you a six? Do you believe your work deserved a better score?"
"Yes, absolutely. Everyone else appreciated my design. Only she deliberately marked me down.""Sorry, did I hear you right? Did you say 'deliberately'?"
"Yes, and it's because I inadvertently offended her backstage."The crowd was on the edge of their seats, whispering about the sensational reveal. The host was flustered, "You...you offended her somehow?""Yes, and she happens to know contestant number one, Abigail. She gave Abigail a nine."
The insinuation that personal connections influenced the scores caused a flurry of activity among the reporters, their cameras clicking furiously, especially when capturing Abella's reaction.
Staff from the organizing committee tried to de-escalate the situation by cutting off the host and Isabella's microphones. Some even moved to escort Isabella off the stage.But Abella's voice soon filled the venue, clear and undeterred.
"There's no need to mute the mics."Signaling to the backstage crew, Abella had the microphones turned back on. Her calm demeanor and imposing presence were almost disbelieving in such a young girl. She was truly remarkable.
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