Chapter 130: Disqualified
“Richard,” Jace called and coughed slightly “She’s my woman” he declared.
“She’s my sister, Jace,” Richard chimed, pulling away and kissing Arianna’s temple.
“That’s why I’m trying hard to tolerate the extreme body closeness” Jace mumbled, chuckling loudly.
“Jace, don’t be jealous” Arianna cautioned and glanced at her father. The latter was wearing a broad smile. She pouted her lips and looked away.
“I’ll be waiting for your approval before the contest is over. I want it public that you are my daughter” Adrian Delmark declared and added “I have full faith in you that you will emerge the overall winner tonight”
“We are intelligent in our family, sister. And I know you will bring home the glory and the trophy” Richard declared, kissing her temple again.
“You don’t have to worry about that. My girl is a match to nobody else. She has her eyes on the trophy and she’ll get it, she’ll bring it home and make us all proud” Jace Hudson declared.
Arianna’s eyes welled up in tears. She glanced at her dad, her brother and at Jace. At that moment, she made up her mind to accept these men in her heart and life as her dearest.
The contest begins soon. Arianna soon got dressed and hung her tag. At the end of the preparation, only one person was chosen from each company.
Each of them submit a design draft and the next stage, they all set out on the stage and make a design at a given time. The best is chosen and at the last stage, they would make a drawing.
In each of the stages, they would pick winners. And the winners will compete for the position of the overall winner.
The first stage was handled by the company’s president. Chase was with the draft and had submitted it a few days before the contest. He sat in the front row with the Presidents of the other companies.
Jace took a corner, at the extreme end of the auditorium and watched. His bodyguards surrounded him and he intended to remain quiet and watch.
The dignitaries present were introduced. Abby Santiago was called first and introduced as one of the aspirants for the position of the prime minister of Hilton City.
When Arianna heard the name she glanced at the man. She wished that she knew other Santiago’s who might be related to her mother.
The man came to the podium and waved at everyone present. His attention was drawn to the woman seated on the last row of the contestants. She’s also there?
Abby Santiago was ushered to the VIP section and he sat down. The next name on the list was Senator Adrian Delmark, the two times Senator of Hilton City.
He was referred to as a man of Character. A noble and honest man. He also is aspiring for the position of the prime minister just like Abby Santiago.
Senator Adrian Delmark came to the stage and waved at everyone, smiling broadly and he was ushered to the VIP section as well.
A few others were introduced and the contest began. Each contestant was called and they rose up for recognition.
Arianna Jason was the last to be called. She was representing the Hudson’s holding and they came last on the list.
Arianna was surprised that the contestant number 7 was Lily Ambrose. The woman glared at her mockingly and grinned.Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.
Arianna doesn’t understand what she meant. Whatever. She doesn’t care about it. She seemed to be mocking her. She cannot remember doing anything that would warrant mockery.
Arianna was contestant number 10. Soon the organisers announced that the first stage of the contest had begun.
The design draft of every company was displayed before everyone and when it arrived at the draft of the contestant number 7, everyone rose up on their feet and applauded her.
There is no doubt, she will win the first stage of the contest. The contestants were not allowed to see it yet. The draft was facing the people seated and they would only see it when the winner was to be announced.
The constant numbers 8 and 9 didn’t get as much applause as the contestant number 7. And when it got to contestant number 10, there was loud murdering and disapproval coming from everyone seated.
Arianna doesn’t know why. All eyes were turned on her in dismay. They seemed to be casting daggers at her and she immediately suspected that something went wrong.
She glanced at Chase and he looked alarmed. His eyes were glued on the draft and next on Arianna in a confused and disappointed glare.
Jace squinted. Something is wrong here. Arianna’s draft was a replica of the draft of contestant number 7. This cannot be, someone was playing pranks here and it’s definitely not Arianna.
The judges were whispering amongst themselves and Adrian Delmark was shocked. No child of his would ever get involved in cheating and forgery.
“This can’t be. Arianna doesn’t cheat. Someone has sabotaged her work” Richard mumbled to his father.
“I hope it can be proven then?” Adrian Delmark replied in a whisper-like tone.
Arianna was still in a dilemma as to what’s the issue with her draft. She turned sharply and glared at Lily Ambrose, the latter grinned at her wickedly.
Something is wrong. Has her draft been tampered with?
The organiser suddenly took over “This contest was organised to showcase talents and for future partnership with investors. We do not accept a lack of honesty.
We do not patronise plagiarism as well. That’s why whoever was found in the act will automatically be disqualified. In view of this, we found that the design draft of contestant number 7 and 10 to be a replica of another.
But from the record that has reached us, contestant number 7 had submitted her draft before contestant number 10. Therefore we have decided to disqualify contestant number 10!”