Chapter 202: A Figure Lurking In The Shadows
The discovery of Lyse’s dress, ripped to shreds and discarded in the trash, sent a ripple of whispers through the backstage area. Contestants huddled together, their voices hushed with a mixture of shock and speculation. "Do you think she is going to be disqualified?" one whispered.
"Without a final piece, she doesn’t stand a chance," another murmured. The air was thick with tension, everyone waiting to see how the drama would unfold.
Brooke, outwardly a picture of concern, inwardly seethed with satisfaction. Her plan had worked perfectly. Lyse’s design, her biggest competition, was out of the picture. She had effectively eliminated her rival, securing her own path to victory. She just needed to maintain her facade of concern, to appear genuinely sympathetic to Lyse’s misfortune.
"This is just awful." Brooke cooed with faux sympathy. "After all your hardwork, this is how it ends for you in such a sad and pathetic manner."
Despite the chaos, Lyse however, remained remarkably calm, her expression betraying none of the panic that Brooke expected to see. She surveyed the scene, taking in the whispers, the curious glances, the undisguised glee on Brooke’s face. Then, she walked over to the Director of the competition, her demeanor composed and professional.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice clear and steady. "I would like to request a short recess. Thirty minutes, if possible."
Brooke’s jaw dropped. A solution? How could Lyse possibly have a solution? Her dress was destroyed, her final piece gone. What could she possibly do in thirty minutes? A wave of anger washed over Brooke. She had been so sure that she had won, so confident that Lyse was out of the game. Now, it seemed, Lyse had another trick up her sleeve.
The Director looked surprised. "A recess? Ms. Spade, I am not sure that is..."
"I understand the time constraints," Lyse interrupted, her voice firm but polite. "But I assure you, I have a solution. I just need a little time to organize it."