Sylvia turned her head upon hearing the somewhat familiar voice and saw Madam Virginia and her daughter Cassandra.
What a small world.
Her indifferent eyes glanced over the mother and daughter, noticing how extravagantly they were dressed, as if they were attending a beauty pageant rather than the Cultural Heritage Fair.
Sylvia was shocked but then thought about their usual behavior and found it very fitting for their characters.
She composed herself and quietly watched as the mother and daughter approached her gracefully.
“Is there something you need?” she asked coldly, as if these two women were strangers.
Cassandra smiled seductively, her disdainful gaze sweeping over Sylvia. After a moment, she said, “Miss Andrews, are you here for the Cultural Heritage Fair? This… is too casual, isn’t it? Doesn’t it tarnish your designer reputation?”
“Clothes should be comfortable. There’s no need for formal attire or brand names. They are just external things,” Sylvia replied nonchalantly. She looked good in anything, even basic white shirts and jeans.
Madam Virginia gave a forced smile, “Miss Andrews, you’re right. You make me want to take off this RL haute couture dress and change into something ordinary.”
She emphasized the RL brand name, as if showing off.
Sylvia couldn’t be bothered to argue further and gave them a faint glance. “If I remember correctly, your dresses are last year’s RL haute couture. Isn’t it a bit outdated to wear them this year?”
Madam Virginia’s face turned red with anger. “You…”
“After all, I’m a designer and very knowledgeable about trends,” Sylvia said, then turned to Isaac beside her. “Isaac, let’s go.”
Cassandra immediately looked at Isaac upon hearing Sylvia’s words. Her eyes sparkled with amazement at the handsome man.
Why was such a handsome man with Sylvia?
Her heart raced as she hurriedly blocked Isaac’s path. “Sir… there’s a calligraphy competition later. May I invite you to join…”
Before she could finish, Isaac coldly interrupted, “Sorry, no.”
He then walked away with his long legs. Sylvia smiled at Cassandra. “That’s my brother. He has a wife and kids. Give up.”
“You! What are you so proud of?” Cassandra stomped her foot in anger. She believed there were no unbreakable marriages, only mistresses who didn’t try hard enough.
She was determined to get this man. She was rich and beautiful; even if she had to spend money, she would make him hers.
She secretly took a photo of Isaac and sent it to a private detective she knew.
“Find out who this man is.”
The detective quickly replied, “My goodness! Are you crazy? You don’t recognize him?”
“Is he famous?” Cassandra was stunned.
“He’s Isaac Carr, the president of Carr Group, the king of the fashion world. You don’t know? My lady, you’re too out of touch!”
“Isaac…” Cassandra stared at her phone in shock, looking at Isaac’s back in a daze. “Mom, this handsome man is Isaac…”
Madam Virginia’s well-maintained face froze. “What did you say? Isaac? If you could become his wife…”
“But… Sylvia said he has a wife and kids. Why don’t I believe that? If he did, it would be in the news. Sylvia must be lying to me,” Cassandra said angrily. “I don’t care; I want him.”
“Let’s talk about it at home. We need to attend the calligraphy competition first,” Madam Virginia whispered, pulling Cassandra’s arm. “There are too many people here.”
With that, the mother and daughter headed towards the competition venue.
Cassandra confidently walked in her high heels. She had been learning calligraphy since childhood and believed she had mastered it. She participated in the Cultural Heritage Fair every year and was quite famous in the calligraphy world.
Her mentor, Matthew, valued her highly and was proud of her.
Matthew was sitting on stage, enjoying the compliments from some juniors. He loved this feeling.
Seeing his beloved disciple approaching from afar, he waved her over. “Cassandra, come here. Sit next to your mentor.”
Cassandra smiled and nodded as she walked over. “Mentor, how have you been?”
Matthew smiled and took a sip of tea. “Same as always.”
After Cassandra and her mother sat down, Matthew discreetly looked around before whispering in Cassandra’s ear, “Old Mr. Thompson’s disciple will be here today, so you must perform well and outshine them.”
Matthew and Old Mr. Thompson had always been rivals in Aettosa’s calligraphy world, often compared by outsiders with Old Mr. Thompson usually coming out on top.
Matthew had been unhappy about this for years until he took Cassandra as his disciple, which brought him much glory.
After all, having a talented disciple from the Sweeney family gave him great face among the calligraphy masters.
Cassandra confidently scanned the crowded venue and said dismissively, “Don’t worry, Mentor. I will be the best.”
Matthew felt relieved seeing her confidence. He had been anxious before.
After all, a good mentor produces excellent students.
“I heard Old Mr. Thompson’s last disciple is representing him at the Cultural Heritage Fair.”
“A last disciple? That’s funny. Who wouldn’t want to show off an excellent disciple to pave their way? If Old Mr. Thompson kept this one hidden until now, it must be because they’re not good enough,” Cassandra said dismissively, thinking this last disciple must be worthless.
Madam Virginia proudly added, “Old Mr. Berry, don’t worry. Cassandra is the best. She has always ranked high in previous calligraphy competitions at the Cultural Heritage Fair. This year will be no different.”
Matthew smiled and took another sip of tea. “You’re right; I overestimated that last disciple. They can’t be better than Cassandra.”
“That’s because you taught her well,” Madam Virginia flattered Matthew again.
She knew Matthew loved hearing such compliments.
Sure enough, Matthew was very pleased. “Cassandra, make sure to perform well in the competition.”
Not only were they curious about Old Mr. Thompson’s last disciple, but others were too.
After all, calligraphy masters from all over the country had brought their disciples to compete.
The masters themselves wouldn’t compete; it was their disciples who would.
Since none of Old Mr. Thompson’s other disciples were present, they couldn’t ask anyone about it and had to wait patiently.
So when they saw Isaac and Sylvia walk in together, they weren’t too surprised.
They were waiting for Old Mr. Thompson’s last disciple.
But after waiting for a while, everyone had arrived, and the host was already on stage announcing the start of the competition. “Contestants, please enter the venue and find your seats according to your number cards.”
Sylvia looked at her number card: 15.
She told Isaac, “I’m going to the competition area now. You can wait here.”
Isaac nodded. “Good luck.”
“It doesn’t matter; I’m just participating to give my teacher an explanation,” Sylvia said indifferently about winning or losing.
She had practiced calligraphy for many years but had been too busy recently to practice much.
Cassandra’s number card was 16, so she sat next to Sylvia.
Seeing Sylvia sit in seat 15, she was shocked. “Are you kidding me? You’re competing?”
Sylvia gave her a cold look. “If you can compete, why can’t I?”
Looking at Cassandra’s luxurious dress, Sylvia smirked slightly. “You look so beautiful and extravagant; be careful not to get ink on your dress or it’ll become disposable.”
“Shut up! Don’t curse me!” Cassandra rolled her eyes disdainfully. “First place is definitely mine; you’re just here to make up the numbers.”
“You’re right; I’m just here to make up the numbers,” Sylvia said calmly and focused on the rice paper and brush in front of her.
The host began introducing each contestant’s background.
When introducing Sylvia, the host was visibly stunned. “Contestant number 15 is Old Mr. Thompson’s last disciple, Sylvia!”
The host was shocked. “Miss Andrews is not only from the Hipps Family but also Old Mr. Thompson’s disciple? This is surprising! We hope she performs well today.”
The audience buzzed with astonishment.
Everyone looked at Sylvia in shock. “Oh my God! The Hipps Family’s daughter?”
“How could she be Old Mr. Thompson’s disciple?”
“I heard Old Mr. Thompson’s last disciple is very mysterious…”
“The Sweeney family’s young lady is very impressive; she won first place last year.”
“I think she’ll win again this year.”
Cassandra stared wide-eyed at Sylvia. “You’re Old Mr. Thompson’s disciple? Ridiculous! Miss Andrews, I feel like I don’t even know you!”
Sylvia could design clothes but calligraphy? No way!
How could one person excel in everything?
Cassandra felt increasingly superior and looked down on Sylvia even more.
Sylvia shrugged indifferently. “I feel like I don’t know you either! Miss Cassandra.”