Chapter 858 Her Inspiration?
She gave a small, playful smile that earned a few chuckles from the audience. "My first attempt at jewelry design was actually back in high school, when I was in the drama club. We often performed plays like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty—you know, the classics. I only started designing props and accessories back then to help out, while my real passion at the time was acting."
There was a gentle wave of nostalgia in the room, as many could relate to those simpler beginnings.
"But not long ago, I came across some raw jade stones and thought of crafting them into gifts for the people I care about. That’s when a new friend saw what I’d made. She believed in me, even before I saw my own potential. She taught me, encouraged me, and pushed me to be here today."
Hera paused briefly, her gaze sweeping the room. "So no, I don’t have a long portfolio or dozens of accolades to back me up. I only have these few designs—and my heart."
By the time she finished, the atmosphere had softened. Her words weren’t just an introduction—they were a connection. Some might call it emotional manipulation, but in moments like this, where everything could be taken away by a single misunderstanding, humanizing herself was not just necessary—it was powerful.
Many in the audience nodded in agreement with Hera—especially those who had struggled and clawed their way into the industry as rookie designers. Hearing her words brought them back to those early days, when talent and hard work were all they had.
But now, they found themselves facing the same uphill battle again—fighting not just to succeed, but to prove that their designs were truly their own. After all, the industry had seen plenty of designers who made a splash once, only to disappear when they couldn’t replicate their success. Worse still were those who clung to relevance by stealing the work of others.
Something in Hera’s tone—calm, confident, yet laced with tension—made their hearts pound. Many already suspected what was coming next.
"As you all know," Hera continued, "this was my design for the previous competition. But the one I created for this competition... is this."