....
After Liam's interruption, the atmosphere in the room became even more tense. Dani's eyes darted around the room, her face pale with anxiety.
Aurora's expression was stern. "Very well, Mr Grey. We will discuss the implications of Dani's actions. Dani, please explain why you attempted to claim Ruby's artwork as your own?"
Dani hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I just really wanted to win."
Ruby's eyes narrowed, her expression a mix of anger and disappointment. "You didn't just want to win, Dani. You wanted to take credit for someone else's work."
The judges conferred with each other, their faces grave. After a moment, Aurora spoke up.
"Dani, your actions have serious consequences. We will decide on an appropriate course of action."
Dani nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. Ruby, on the other hand, stood tall, her expression resolute.
Michael's expression turned cold, and he took a step forward.
"I think it's best if we just forget this whole thing ever happened," he said, his voice firm but with an underlying tone of discomfort.
"Ruby, let's just drop it and move on."
Ruby's eyes widened in confusion and hurt. "What, Father? Why?"
Michael's gaze flickered, and he avoided eye contact with Ruby. "Just trust me, Ruby. It's better this way."
The room fell silent, with Dani's parents exchanging a knowing glance. Ruby's face fell, feeling betrayed by her father's behavior.
Earlier, he had slapped and raised his voice to shun her without knowing the truth.
Now that the truth has been revealed, he wants her to forget . She looked around the room seeing the sympathetic gazes of the judges and Liam, and the smug expression on Dani's face.
"I won't, Father," Ruby said, her voice firm.
"I'm not going to just forget this, Father," Ruby repeated, her voice growing stronger. "Dani tried to steal my work and pass it off as her own. She needs to face the consequences of her actions."
Michael's expression darkened, and he took another step forward. "Ruby, don't be stubborn. This isn't about Dani; it's about...it's about us. Our reputation."
Ruby's eyes flashed with anger. "Your reputation? You're worried about your reputation? You're the one who's been treating me like I'm nothing, Father.
You're the one who's been dismissing my art and my feelings. And now, when someone tries to steal from me, you want me to just forget about it?"
The room was silent, with everyone watching the confrontation between Ruby and her father.
Liam's eyes were fixed on Ruby, admiration and concern etched on his face. The judges looked at each other, seeming to be weighing their options.
Dani's smug expression faltered, and she looked at Ruby with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. She knew she was in trouble, and Ruby's determination was not going to make things easy for her.
Michael's voice took on a calculated tone. "Let's resolve this amicably".
"Dani's parents offered financial support that would greatly benefit Emily and Ethan. As your father, I believe it's in everyone's best interests."
Ruby felt a surge of anger and hurt. Her father's words reduced her achievement to insignificance, valuing financial gain over her art and integrity. She wondered if he truly cared about her or just saw her as a means to an end.
Ruby's voice trembled with emotion. "You're willing to overlook Dani's cheating and ignore my achievement for financial gain?"
Michael's gaze faltered, but he maintained his composure. "I'm thinking about what's best for our family, Ruby
"That's not what's best for me," Ruby said, her voice firm. "You keep talking about the family, but what about what's best for me? Don't I matter?"
The room seemed to hold its breath, with everyone watching the confrontation between Ruby and her father.
Liam's eyes were filled with admiration for Ruby's strength and determination.
Michael's expression turned cold, and he took a step forward. "Ruby, don't be naive. This is about survival. We need that financial support to take care of Emily and Ethan."
Ruby's eyes flashed with anger. "Survival? You mean your reputation and your ego? You're willing to sacrifice my dreams and integrity for your own benefit."
Michael's face darkened, and he seemed to be struggling to contain his emotions. He turned to Ruby, his voice low and menacing. "We'll discuss this later, Ruby. At home."
With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Ruby feeling shaken but also more determined than ever to stand up for herself and her art.
The judges nodded to each other, seeming to come to a decision. "Very well, let us proceed with the formalities. Ruby, please come forward to receive your recognition and award."
Ruby took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions: relief, pride, and a sense of vindication. She walked forward, her head held high, as the judges handed her a certificate and a trophy.
The audience applauded, and Liam smiled, looking proud of Ruby. Dani, on the other hand, looked crestfallen, her parents trying to console her.
As Ruby accepted her award, she felt a sense of validation and accomplishment. She had fought for her art and her integrity, and she had won.
Emily and Ethan trailed behind their father, their anger and frustration palpable. "Thanks a lot, Ruby," Emily muttered, her voice laced with resentment. "Now we'll never get the financial help we need."
Ethan's face twisted in disgust. "You always think about yourself. What about us? What about our needs?"
Their father, Michael, remained silent, his anger and disappointment radiating from his stiff posture.
In contrast, Ruby's mother remained noticeably absent from the confrontation, offering no support or guidance. Her silence spoke volumes, leaving Ruby to wonder if she would ever understand or stand up for her.
Meanwhile, Ava had been watching the drama unfold with interest. As a friend, she felt torn between supporting the family and worrying about the impact on the family.
She approached Ruby, concern etched on her face. "Hey, are you okay? That was intense ."
"Yeah, I'm okay". Ruby replied, grateful for her Ava's support
With the end of the competition, the audience dispersed.
Seeing the auditorium almost empty, Sophia who had been quietly watching, slipped her arm through Liam's. "Let's go" she said.
Liam nodded, his mind elsewhere.
As they walked out, Liam's gaze drifted back to the stage, where Ruby's artwork still shone. He felt a pang of pride and something more, but Sophia's gentle tug on his arm brought him back to reality.
"Let's go," Sophia repeated, her smile warm but her eyes hinting at questions.
Liam nodded, his thoughts lingering on Ruby and the complexity of his feelings...