The contestants caught sight of the work that Callie had rejected and couldn’t help but comment, “Yeah, it’s really good. Why didn’t she pass on it…”
“I don’t understand, it’s much better than mine.”
“This contestant is really unlucky to have such a judge…”
“How could this happen?”
Callie ignored their comments and faced Lily. “Do you think this is a good piece of work?”
“Otherwise?” Lily sneered. “Are you questioning me? With my years of experience in the field, I can tell good from bad.”
Callie nodded. “Indeed.”
“Alice, I seriously doubt the credibility of the awards you’ve received over the years.”
Amidst the commotion, Nelson couldn’t find the familiar figure. He took a deep breath, feeling frustrated. He didn’t like crowds, and being here required a great deal of patience.
The staff beside him were trembling. They didn’t understand why Mr. Oconnor suddenly had an interest in watching the competition, doing nothing but observing the crowd…
When they first received the news, their superiors were so frightened that they wanted to personally come to greet him, but Anthony refused and they didn’t come.
“Sir, why don’t we leave first? I’ve arranged for someone to keep an eye on things.”
Nelson didn’t respond, his face gloomy.
Callie wasn’t here.
For two years, he had been to countless places where she might be, but she was never there.
Each time he hoped, it turned into disappointment.
Just then, a commotion broke out across the room, and a crowd gathered.
Anthony muttered, “What’s going on over there?”
Nelson looked up.
At that moment, a female voice rang out loudly, “As you said, the composition and lines of this piece, even the concept, are indeed perfect, even top-notch.”
The voice was very distinctive, somewhat hoarse but clear.
Nelson’s eyes reacted faster than his mind, and he felt a pang of emotion.
Callie slowly stood up, her entire figure coming into view.
“Why did I give it a low score?” She wore a mocking smile as she looked at Lily and the others. “Because this work plagiarized my piece from last year.”
As she spoke, she turned her computer around to show everyone. It was her original work that had won an award last year.
The crowd gasped.
Impressive.
Lily’s face turned pale. She never expected Callie to have this capability.
“Lily, I don’t know whether to say you don’t know me well or that your knowledge is too limited. Anyway, thank you for your compliment.”
By praising this work, Lily was essentially praising Callie.
Callie’s smile widened, carrying an air of ease and disdain. This arrogance made her even more dignified.
“You!”
Lily was at a loss for words. Embarrassed to say more in front of so many people, she had now become the judge who couldn’t even recognize plagiarism!
People pointed and whispered.
Furious, Lily stomped off in her high heels.
The organizers quickly followed to calm her down, fearing trouble.
Callie seemed unfazed and returned to her seat, propping her head up lazily as she continued reviewing the works.
She still sported long hair. However, her style had become more direct and unadorned. Her words and deeds now carried greater authority. There was a slight, almost imperceptible, change in her voice.
Her appearance hadn’t changed much, but her demeanor was completely transformed.
She sat there calmly, just a hundred meters away, yet it felt like an insurmountable distance.
Nelson stood rooted to the spot as if the world had turned upside down. His heart raced uncontrollably. In his eyes, there was only one person-Callie.
She remained calm.
He felt like his pulse was about to go out of control.