Besides that piece, two other works were hot on its heels.

    One was called “Ripples,” based on water elements-a ring with an overall teardrop shape, the main stone at the center surrounded by cascading waves.

    The other was “Neb,” a brooch shaped like an irregr star cluster with an opal at the center like the neb’s core, titanium framework outlining the contours, dotted with diamonds and colored gems.

    Votingsted three days. Rachel sat in the study, her tablet showing thepetition’s voting page.

    “Ripples” was hertest work.

    Water-looks weak but can cut through stone; looks calm but can create tsunamis.

    So this piece represented gentle yet unstoppable power.

    Right now, “Ripples” was steadily climbing, getting dangerously close to Sophie’s “Thornbird.”

    But another piece was no joke either-“Neb” was running neck and neck with “Ripples.”

    The tform used anonymous voting, so except for Sophie’s public entry, nobody knew who created what. Made the voting totally fair.

    And ironically, both “Ripples” and “Thornbird” were her pieces.

    She found herself curious about whoever made “Neb.”

    She lightly tapped the screen where those designs were disyed, her finger making soft clicking sounds.

    Her phone buzzed-Nics had texted: “Sophie’s trying to dig up info on the ‘Ripples’ creator, but don’t sweat it. She won’t find jack.”

    Rachel was kinda surprised Sophie had moved so fast.

    She texted back “ok” and walked to the window.

    This whole anonymous thing felt incredible-nobody knew she was the Leroix heiress, nobody knew she’d even entered thispetition.

    Just had to wait for that moment when everything got revealed.

    She remembered what they’d said at the Leroix house: “Without this family, you’re nothing.”

    13.55

    He Stole My Ticket, I flew Private Revenge Served Sky High

    54.19

    But hey, dear brother, you seeing this?

    Without the Leroix name, my work can still im the crown.

    On the final voting day, “Ripples” had almost caught up to “Thornbird.”

    Rachel watched the numbers constantly updating when she spotted something sketchy-

    “Thornbird’s” vote count had suddenly jumped by 200,000 between 3 and 5 AM!

    “She’s buying votes!” Rachel immediately found Nics.

    Nics checked the data and asked, “Bust her now?”

    Rachel shook her head: “If we call her out now, she’ll just im someone’s setting her up. Let’s wait till the final results drop, then let the numbers do the talking.”

    Nics shed this knowing smile: “Smart move.”

    Let the drama unfold.

    Seemed like that hotheaded kid had finally learned some strategy.

    Meanwhile, Sophie was still stuck in the hospital, frantically watching the data.

    Shit! Shit! Shit!

    She’d already bought nearly 800,000 votes but still couldn’t pull ahead decisively!

    That damn “Ripples” piece was breathing down her neck!

    Plus, she’d just gotten another call from the vote-buyingpany saying “Ripples” was climbing too fast and suggesting another 500,000 votes.

    “Do it!” Sophie screamed into the phone. “I don’t give a damn what it costs-we’re keeping first ce!”

    She red at that water-themed ring, anxiety creeping up her spine.

    Who the hell made “Ripples”?

    Why couldn’t they find any info on this person?

    In this world, if you threw enough money around, you could uncover anyone’s secrets. But this author? Complete ghost.

    She stared at that design. This style, this way of handling water elements… a terrifying thought crept into her

    13:56

    He Stole My Ticket. I Flow Private: Revenge Served Sky-High

    54.3%

    head.

    “No way…” she whispered. “That loser should’ve given up ages ago… just three days, she couldn’t have…”

    She zoomed in, studying every detail of “Ripples.”

    The ring was sleek and sophisticated but packed with intricate details.

    The wave patterns on the band looked like they were actually moving, the sapphire catching light like ocean swells. This design approach, this attention to detail…

    Sophie’s hands started trembling.

    Who… was this person!

    Once midnight hit, voting closed.

    The nail-biting voting phase was finally over, and Ma?lys’s studio quickly dropped the top ten results.

    This time, Ma?lys herself went live on the studio’s ount.

    Even though it was the middle of the night, hardcore fans were wide awake and ready.

    “Huge thanks to all the designers who participated, and to everyone who voted…”

    Ma?lys had this smooth, intellectual voice. She wasn’t rushing’anything, keeping everyone on the edge of

    their seats.

    “Time for the final results. Tenth ce goes to…”

    Preliminaries picked ten finalists who’dpete live to choose three designers for the studio.

    Ma?lys was all about quality over quantity. She wanted the cream of the crop, so only three spots.

    She’d even said she’d rather take one perfectmission per year thanpromise on standards. Numbers

    didn’t matter to her.

    She announced rankings from bottom to top, revealing the designers behind each piece.

    When she got to the top three, she paused dramatically, grinning: “Third ce is…”

    Rachel was glued to her tablet, watching the livestream.

    “Neb’ by Yara Adams!”

    “Second ce goes to…” she dragged it out, “the piece ‘Ripples’! Created by… anonymous contestant

    13:56

    ‘Daughter of the Sea”!”

    The chat exploded:

    [Anonymous entry? That’s so badass!]

    [Now THATS a real artist!]

    [Ripples’ is absolutely gorgeous, totally earned it!]

    Sophie’s smile died on her face.

    She never would’ve guessed someone entered anonymously!

    “This can’t be happening!” Sophie shrieked.

    The stream kept rolling: “Before we announce first ce, we need to address something important. Our tech team found massive amounts of suspicious voting activity. After cleaning up the data, some vote counts have changed significantly.”

    The screen behind Ma?lys lit up withparison charts-“Thornbird’s” votes nosedived while “Ripples” stayed rock solid.

    Sophie went white as a sheet.

    “Perpetition rules, purchased votes are void, so Sophie’s ‘Thornbird’ is now tied with ‘Ripples’!”

    The second she finished talking, the chat went absolutely mental:

    “Wait, what? Sophie cheated?”

    “Kick Sophie out! Disqualify her ass!”

    “Sophie’s results should be thrown out!”

    Outside the livestream, Sophie copsed on her hospital bed: “No fucking way…”

    Then she spotted the wave patterns on that ring-those familiar curves hit her like a freight train.

    “It’s… it’s her…” Sophie muttered. “That worthless bitch…”

    12-56