Chapter 146 Don''t Fall For


    His Lies


    The murmurs and skeptical nces in the hall did not escape Brenna''s notice.


    "Who would have thought? She is beautiful, but shecks substance."


    "So what? She''s the daughter of the Harper family. Maybe this wholepetition was designed for her, and the rest of us are just here to make up the numbers."


    "She is beautiful andes from a rich family. Who are we to judge how the Harper family treats their daughter?"


    "Does wealth really make someone better than the rest?"


    These disparagingments reached Brenna''s ears, but she remained unfazed. ustomed to skepticism for over twenty years, she had learned to let her aplishments speak for themselves.


    While many harbored doubts about Brenna, their criticisms were whispered, never voiced openly. After all, they were all here topete. Even if the Harper family had tailored thepetition for their daughter, letting her win first prize. Winning second, third, or even the excellence awards was still a significant achievement.


    Contrary to Isabe''s expectations, no one openly stood up for justice.


    Before long, a representative from the Night Studio walked over to the scene. Tommy McCoy, the team leader usually in charge of studio affairs, swept his eyes across the room with a steady gaze. He noticed right away that people had gotten the wrong idea about Brenna.


    Looking at the crowd, he raised his voice and said, "Let me clear something up before this goes any further. We''re with the Night Studio. It sounds like some of you have the facts all wrong. I''m Tommy McCoy, and I know Miss Harper holds two degrees from a top university in Norview. Right after graduating seven years ago, she earned the Golden Wrench Award in a prestigious designpetition. Then, six years ago, she took home the top prize again in a globalpetition. There are plenty more awards under her belt, but I won''t list every


    one of them."


    After a pause, he continued, "The point is, Miss Harper is not someone who didn''t even finish elementary


    school."


    Isabe scoffed loudly, visibly irritated. She continued exposing Brenna''s past. "Don''t fall for his lies. I''m Isabe, the daughter of the Barrett family. Everyone''s well aware that Brenna was only acknowledged by the Harper family not too long ago. The people who raised her are my parents, and they made it clear to me that she never even finished elementary school. There''s no way she graduated from any top university. Don''t let yourselves be deceived."


    Her confident manner lent her usations a semnce of credibility.


    17:17


    Scanning the audience, she continued loudly, "And this Night Studio, who even knows them? They might just be here to cause a scene. I''ve never heard of them before. They could be paid off by Brenna for all we know. Don''t let yourselves be easily fooled. We have to push back against the Harper Group ruining the fairness of the


    Zeke, supporting Isabe, eximed, "Exactly, we shoulde together and protest. Thepetition rules say it must be fair. Why should the Harper family''s daughter be presumed the winner?"


    What he said struck a nerve with a few designers who were aiming for the top prize, and soon enough, several voices rang out in agreement, saying, "Exactly!"


    "I strongly oppose the Harper family''s daughter participating in thepetition!" Ethan surveyed the room calmly before saying slowly, "There''s no need for concern. Thispetition is indeed fair. The Harper Group has even brought in notaries to verify everything. Besides, there''s one first prize, three second prizes, ten third prizes, and thirty excellence awards. The shortlist includes three times as many participants as there are winners. Winners are determined by the judges'' scores and votes from the designers present here. Additionally, the works are identified only by numbers, not names. The judges and designers doing the scoring here can only evaluate the submissions without knowing who made them."


    After a pause, he continued to exin, "That makes the processpletely fair. There''s no room for backdoor deals or oues that were decided in advance."


    Still upset, Zeke asked, "And who might you be? How are you so familiar with the selection process? Are you part of the Harper family?"


    Ethan gave him a patient smile, assessing the man who seemed more bluster than substance.


    He then said, "I''m here as one of the judges. I was invited to participate in the evaluation process."


    Rosie, who had been quietly observing themotion, was surprised to learn of Ethan''s role as a judge. Isabe, visibly annoyed, retorted, "That''s easy for you to say. But how do we know you haven''t been briefed on Brenna''s number beforehand? All the judges are invited by the Harper Group. It would be easy for them to manipte the results behind the scenes. The Harper Group has money to burn, so what''s stopping them from slipping a bribe to the judges if they want to?"


    Brenna, acutely aware of Isabe''s motives, knew that the Harper family''s previous actions had nearly driven the Barrett Group to bankruptcy. It was only after Isabe allied with the Wagner family that her family''s fortunes were restored. Clearly, the Barrett family would take any opportunity to retaliate against the Harper


    family.


    "So what? My family''s power is just another aspect of my strength. Are you bothered by that?" Brenna said coldly to Isabe. "If you believe thepetition is rigged, feel free to withdraw. With numerous second, third, and excellence awards avable, even if I win the first prize, there''s plenty of opportunity for you to im an award and coborate with the Harper Group."