At the next moment, a string of numbers appeared behind the names of several contestants.
“Jane North… 3!”
Jane muttered to herself, her pupils shrinking. She had won third prize in this competition.
“Congratulations Ms. North! The top five contestants will qualify for the next round and participate in the final stage of the competition!”
The host’s voice rang in her ears as Jane patted her chest and smiled widely.
“Thank you, thank you everyone.”
A tear rolled down Jane’s eye corner. It was tears of joy for winning the competition.
The award ceremony was broadcasted live globally, and soon news spread that Jane had entered into the final stage of the competition back home.
People back home couldn’t believe it as they watched their screens. They saw a lady with an award certificate and trophy walking towards Jane. The ultimate person responsible for this event presented them to her personally.
As people saw that she had made it to finals, they were surprised because they thought she would be eliminated in round one. They never expected that she would produce such excellent work!
They remembered Braiden showing off his sculpture earlier which turned out to be what Jane submitted during preliminaries!
Everyone felt regretful about their previous cold words towards her; their faces burned with pain at this realization.
Jane’s carving skills had gained recognition among many people, but there were still some individuals in the Realm of Literature and Art who didn’t acknowledge her.
Online, there was an overwhelming praise for Jane’s skills, but there were also many people dissatisfied with this situation, directly using Jane’s work as a point of contention.
“No way, there can’t actually be people who are conquered by her like this, right? Jane’s work has never been as good as Isabella’s. Her victory this time is just a stroke of luck!”
This statement sparked a shift in the online discussion, and many people began to criticize Jane’s work.
“Yeah, wasn’t she always flaunting her status as Mr. Edwards’ disciple? If she didn’t have real talent, why would she rely on others?”
Netizens started discussing Jane’s work directly, comparing her to Isabella. Many people had already begun hurling insults at Jane, disregarding the fact that she had won a prestigious award for her country.
Meanwhile, Jane sat in the hotel, the carving competition coming to an end. There was still some time before the final competition, and she had received her communication device back. She glanced at the comments on Twitter, unfazed by what she saw.
Jane pursed her lips, thinking that it was just some unfamiliar people pointing fingers at her. Having experienced so much online violence before, Jane had long become numb to it.
Just as she was about to put her phone down and rest, a phone call interrupted her thoughts.
Jane glanced sideways and saw that it was a call from the President of the Vermilion Brush Society.
She picked up her phone and answered, “Hello?”
Jane’s voice flowed like a gentle stream, soothing to the ears.
“We have a competition at the Vermilion Brush Society in a couple of days. Didn’t you just finish the carving competition? Do you have time to come and participate?”
The hoarse voice of the President of the Vermilion Brush Society came through the phone. It seemed he had also seen the public opinion that evening.
“Participate?”
Jane curled her lips and smiled softly. “You want me to go and show them up, right? There’s no real comparison to be made.”
“Haha, young lady, so confident.”
The President of the Vermilion Brush Society laughed heartily, acknowledging Jane’s skill. “Why would I let you compete against them? I want to invite you as a judge. If you were to participate, I’m afraid they would all feel inferior.”
“I should have the time. Send me the time and address to my email. If I’m free, I’ll come over.”
Jane nodded in agreement. She had just finished a competition these past few days, and her company didn’t have any tasks for her to handle, so there was nothing else for her to do.
It was a good opportunity to visit the Vermilion Brush Society while she was free and bored.
A few days later, Jane received an invitation letter from the President of the Vermilion Brush Society. This time, she was going to be a judge. She stood in front of the mirror, carefully grooming herself, appearing more mature.
With a coat of bright red lipstick, she exuded a more enchanting demeanor.
She got into the dedicated transportation vehicle and watched the passing members of the Vermilion Brush Society. As she made her way directly to the venue, she entered the innermost part of the competition venue.
Many people noticed Jane’s vehicle and saw the woman inside, feeling a sense of familiarity, but they couldn’t see clearly and couldn’t recognize that it was Jane.
The competition proceeded as scheduled, with all the participants standing in a row on the stage, facing the judges’ panel.
As the background music started playing, several judges walked out from the entrance.
The first to enter was the President of the Vermilion Brush Society, who held a high reputation and skill within the society. It was not surprising that he participated as a judge in this competition.
The following judges were all elders of the Vermilion Brush Society, rare figures to be seen on ordinary days. Now, they were all gathered together, making it difficult for people not to feel nervous.
However, when the last judge walked in, everyone widened their eyes in surprise.
Those slender thighs were undeniably a woman’s figure. People around were amazed, wondering when the Vermilion Brush Society had introduced a young woman.
Finally, when Jane’s appearance came into view, everyone was dumbfounded.
Today, Jane was dressed in a serious and composed manner, completely different from her usual commercial image. Her eyes, kissed by angels, were now filled with seriousness.
The judges had all assembled on the judges’ panel, and everyone’s gaze unquestionably focused on Jane.
Although she was young, her temperament was in no way inferior to the other elders of the Vermilion Brush Society. Moreover, her outrageously beautiful face attracted the attention of countless people.
No one expected Jane to become a judge in this competition. Thinking about her achievements in the carving competition before, everyone was once again shocked.
Then, the judges took their seats, and the competition began.
The first contestant stepped forward, exerting force from their abdomen. As a beam of green light descended, the contestant’s artwork appeared before everyone.
The judges fell into contemplation, making the contestant feel embarrassed.
The person in charge handed the microphone to Jane, causing everyone to hold their breath, wondering what kind of comments she would make.
Jane calmly took the microphone, her expression unchanged. “I can see that your artwork is inherently superior to ordinary people’s, am I right?”
The contestant nodded, and Jane continued, “However, your efforts afterwards have not been sufficient. Success is 30% talent and 70% effort. Your artwork clearly lacks vitality. The strokes on both sides are elongated but fleeting. This is the result of being inconsistent in your efforts. Even if you have natural talent, it’s wasted if you don’t train properly.”
Upon hearing these words, the contestant lowered their head in embarrassment.