"Ah!"
How could this be happening?What was going on?
She was only supposed to be giving a thank-you speech—so why did it look as if she were tearing off her own clothes in front of everyone?
"Designer Xia, was that a strip show you just gave us?"
"Designer Xia, you've really got quite the figure!"
The audience erupted in a mix of laughter, jeers, and mocking comments. Some looked on with pity, others with disdain. A few even whistled inappropriately.
Xia Ling felt as if she had plummeted from heaven straight into hell. Today was her wedding day—how could something like this happen? She had undressed in front of a crowd, live-streamed no less. Everyone had seen her shame.
Her face went deathly pale; she wanted nothing more than to disappear.
From the front row, Yara Lu sneered. "Lingling, don't you think this humiliation is enough? Get off the stage."
Clutching her coat desperately around her body, Xia Ling turned and fled in a panic.
Once she was offstage, Xia Ling's mind spun in confusion. Something was wrong. The so-called "strip show" wasn't supposed to involve her—it should have been Celia, Xia Xiaofu, and the others. So why had she been the one stripped bare?
Her gut told her this had something to do with Celia.
Sure enough, when she stumbled backstage, Celia was already there, standing in the corridor with a calm, almost amused smile on her lips, as if she had been waiting all along.
Xia Ling stormed up to her, trembling with rage. "Celia, it was you, wasn't it? You set me up! You drugged me, forced me to strip in front of everyone—you ruined me! You've destroyed my life!"
She hadn't dared meet Jin Han's eyes just now, knowing what he must think of her now. The disgust in his heart would be unbearable—and it was all Celia's fault.
Celia's red lips curled into a faint smirk. "Xia Ling, we had no idea you planned such a… memorable performance. We merely played along."
Xia Ling froze. "So you knew?"
"Yes," Celia said smoothly. She had noticed something was off from the very beginning—the girl with the round face had acted suspiciously, and the cosmetics had clearly been tampered with. Celia had seen through it instantly but had chosen not to expose the truth. Instead, she let Xia Ling spring her own trap.
And the result? A truly unforgettable show.
Xia Ling clenched her fists, fury blazing in her eyes. "Celia, so what if I stripped on stage? I've already won this fashion design competition. I don't even need to see you compete—you've lost by default!"
"Is that so?" Celia's voice was cool, almost teasing. She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "Then you'd better keep your eyes wide open, because you're about to watch how we defeat you."
With that, she turned and walked away, her poise unshaken.
After Yara Lu's dramatic segment, the remaining contestants felt anticlimactic. The audience grew restless, whispering to one another.
"These last few runway shows are so dull. I'm ready to leave."
"Don't. The real highlight is still coming—Celia Su and the superstar Xia Xiaofu haven't gone on yet."
"Please. After Miss Lu's spectacular performance, there's no way Celia and Xia Xiaofu can top it."
In the main seats, Nathaniel Fu and Jin Han remained calm, showing no sign of leaving. It was clear they, too, were waiting to see Celia's performance.
Nathaniel's lips curved faintly as he overheard the murmurs. He had warned her not to enter this competition. And yet, here she was—standing in front of the entire world, with people eagerly predicting her downfall.
Everyone knew she was gifted in many ways, but fashion design wasn't supposed to be one of them. He only hoped she wouldn't embarrass herself.
Then the host's voice rang out, loud and clear:
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome contestant number twelve—Celia Su—and the one and only Xia Xiaofu!"
At last, their runway show was about to begin.