The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 783

Chapter 783: Chapter 783 Back To the IGI Expressions Competition 2
Gasp!

A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

Startled by the sound, Alice and the businessmen who had been eagerly flattering her instinctively turned their eyes to the stage. On the screen was a stunning 3D design of a jewelry set—breathtaking in its fantasy and deep-ocean theme.

At just one glance, it was clear to everyone: this piece didn’t just follow the theme—it embodied it, as if the theme itself had been created for this design.

The bracelet featured intricate coral-like shapes, adorned with a mesmerizing blend of gemstones in shades of green and blue—Aquamarine, Moonstone, Turquoise, Sapphire, Azurite, Kyanite, Emerald, Garnet, Topaz, Agate, and more.

Despite the variety, the colors didn’t clash. Instead, they harmonized perfectly, creating a piece that felt elegant rather than overwhelming, luxurious without being loud.

What left the audience even more stunned was the level of realism. The 3D rendering was so detailed that even the way light refracted off the gems had been calculated with precision.

It was as if the jewelry had already come to life on the screen—a testament to the designer’s remarkable skill, not just in artistry but also in the mathematics and physics behind visual realism.

What captivated the audience even more was the earring design. In the dimmed lights, the earrings resembled delicate glowworms shimmering in the darkness of the cave. With even the faintest glimmer, the gemstones refracted the light in a way that made it appear as though it was being trapped within—glowing softly from the inside out.

This effect was made possible through a unique and sophisticated cutting technique, giving the gems an ethereal, almost otherworldly radiance.

When paired with the rest of the jewelry set, it felt as though the entire ensemble had been crafted by fairies or mermaids, intended for a princess of the deep.

The concept was both magical and profound, revealing an extraordinary level of creativity and craftsmanship. Whether the design had taken years of dedication or mere months, it was clear that the creator had poured their heart and soul into it.

The result was a masterpiece so breathtaking that every judge on the panel sat in stunned admiration.

The necklace itself featured a breathtaking blue diamond, roughly the size of a pigeon’s egg, inlaid at its center—a bold and luxurious centerpiece. As the presenter on stage began to explain the concept, the choice of gemstones, and the ideals and inspiration behind the design, the audience grew increasingly captivated.

Every word added depth and dimension to what was already a visually stunning creation.

But what truly left Alice—and many others—utterly speechless was the identity of the person presenting the design.

It was Liz.

Even her father, who had been frozen in place, stunned by the brilliance and originality of the design, began to envision the unimaginable success his company could achieve if it exclusively featured such a masterpiece. But the realization struck him like a thunderclap: the one presenting this phenomenal piece was his own daughter.

Confusion washed over him. How could this be? Liz had already presented her set earlier in the competition and received a solid 7.2 from the judges—a respectable score, one he had already considered good enough to leverage for their family business. He had thought that alone was a successful marketing opportunity.

But this?This was something else entirely.

The design Liz was presenting now was completely different from her usual style—and nothing like the one she had showcased earlier. It was unexpected, and yet, she spoke about it with surprising familiarity.

Though she occasionally glanced at a sheet of paper—perhaps reading notes or inputs she hadn’t fully memorized—her confidence in discussing the concept and details made it clear: she knew this design well.

The audience was understandably confused.

Only one design per contestant was supposed to be allowed on stage. That was the rule. It was the very reason Alice had crammed all her ideas into a single elaborate piece.

But the set Liz was now presenting? It consisted of multiple distinct pieces—each with its own unique design—yet they harmonized so perfectly that when viewed together, they enhanced one another, each piece highlighting the brilliance of the next.

It wasn’t just a jewelry set.It was a masterclass in cohesion and creativity.

Filled with jealousy and frustration, Alice broke the tense silence the moment Liz finished her presentation.

“Wait a minute! You’ve already presented your jewelry design earlier—so what are you doing back up there again? Shouldn’t you be disqualified already?” Her voice rose with each word.

“And this new design? The concept and style are worlds apart from what you showed before! Are you seriously claiming this is yours? Or are you trying to cheat your way to the top by throwing money around? Isn’t your family rich? Must be easy to hire a talented designer and pass their work off as your own, huh?”

Alice’s string of accusations left the audience stunned—and Liz too, who blinked slowly, still processing the sudden verbal attack. This was their first direct confrontation since the earlier brief exchange during the design registration.

But to Alice’s surprise, Liz didn’t falter.She simply looked at her—calm, unbothered, and almost amused.

That unshaken composure only rattled Alice further. She had expected guilt, panic, at least some sign of anxiety. But instead, Liz remained poised. And just when the silence became unbearable, Liz finally spoke—her voice slow and deliberate.

“You’re right,” Liz said with a calm smile. “This isn’t my design—and I never claimed it was.”

Even as she spoke, the judges didn’t interrupt or question her. Instead, they were focused on the printed draft in their hands, flipping through the pages with expressions of awe.

Their eyes sparkled with appreciation—the design evoked memories of the iconic GRAFF collection, yet there was something distinctly different about it. It was familiar, yes, but carried a unique soul of its own.

Alice, growing more agitated, snapped back. “Then why are you even up there?!” she demanded, arms crossed tightly over her chest. “If it’s not yours, whose design is it?!”

She tried to sound bold and accusatory, but her voice betrayed a hint of nervousness—as if Liz’s calm demeanor was throwing her off more than she wanted to admit.

But Liz remained composed as she continued to explain. “As I mentioned, this design isn’t mine. The original designer had a life-and-death emergency and had to leave unexpectedly.”

“However, knowing how much effort and dedication she poured into preparing for this competition, she didn’t want to let it all go to waste. That’s why she contacted her lawyer to draft a legal authorization, appointing me as her representative to present the design on her behalf.”

She paused briefly, then added, “All credit still belongs to her. I’m only here to make sure her work is seen, not claimed. We aren’t violating any competition rules—her lawyer is present on-site and ready to provide legal clarification if necessary. A notarized and signed copy of the authorization has also been included in the judges’ design portfolios, placed at the back for transparency.”

Some of the judges were already nodding, flipping to the back of their copies to confirm the document. Others, seasoned in the industry, had already guessed that something more was at play—Liz’s calm, respectful explanation only affirmed their suspicions.

After all, the judges were veterans in the industry—they could tell at a glance that the design being presented wasn’t Liz’s. It didn’t carry even a hint of her usual style.

But instead of questioning her further, they quietly turned to the back of their design copies, where they found the lawyer’s notarized letter. Its authenticity was clear, and with that confirmation, they no longer felt the need to pursue the matter.

In their eyes, the design was a true masterpiece. What mattered most was not who presented it, but who created it. Gaining the name—and perhaps the future partnership—of such a gifted designer was their priority now.

Even the representative from GRAFF, who had remained composed until then, was beginning to show signs of restlessness. He was already inching toward the stairs, clearly eager to approach Liz.

The desire to find out who the designer was, how long they had been active in the industry, or whether they were a hidden gem working in seclusion was almost palpable. It baffled him—and everyone else—that a designer of this caliber had never once stepped into the spotlight until now.

With such extraordinary talent and technical mastery, they should already be a renowned figure in the world of high jewelry.

Hearing everything Liz said made Alice’s heart skip a beat. If the designer had to leave in a hurry… wasn’t there only one person she saw earlier who had done just that?

Hera.

The thought hit her like a wave, sending a jolt of panic through her chest. If this breathtaking design was Hera’s… then wouldn’t that mean she’d be overshadowed once again?

The anxiety started to creep in, wrapping tightly around her confidence. If Hera was behind this masterpiece, all of Alice’s carefully crafted persona—a multi-talented rising star in jewelry design that should also reflect in the entertainment industry—could crumble in an instant. Hera would once again become the one everyone talked about, the one who stole the spotlight.

And Alice? She’d be forgotten. Again.

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PS: Thank you so much, Dita6779, for the golden tickets!!!