StarNovelChapter 243
Chapter 243
Lily answered Xavier's call not because she wanted to, but rather out of fear that he might show up and confront
her in front of everyone if she didn't.
Any interaction between contestants and sponsors or judges was highly sensitive in the eyes of others during
competitions. The slightest misstep could lead to accusations of favoritism or comption. Xavier left her with a
cryptic tematk before hanging up, leaving the persistent sound of the dial tone ringing in her ears.
She regained her senses and stared at her darkened phone screen momentarily before shoving it back into her
pocket and silently continuing to wait for a ride.
Perhaps due to the shortage of cars and abundance of people, the hotel security arranged for carpooling for
those headed in the sdirection, speeding up the process considerably.
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Two male designers happened to be going the sway as Lily, so they shared a ride. Since her hwas the
farthest, they dropped the other two first before heading to Bayview Gardens.
It was morning rush hour. It had been two hours since Xavier called her by the tshe got out of the car.
A piercing screech of tires shattered the stillness of the winter midday just as she was about to enter the
complex. She stopped in her tracks and turned around to see Xavier stepping out of his car.
His expression was solemn with a barely restrained anger. He lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and fixed her with
a penetrating gaze through the smoke.
She felt rooted to the spot under his gaze. Her legs felt as if weighed down by lead, unable to move.
He had cfor her. However, he certainly wasn't here to congratulate her for advancing in the competition
Lily clutched the invitation in her pocket and hesitated momentarily before walking toward him "Did you need
something?"
"Do you want to win the championship for the Avelon Designs Competition?"
Xavier's anger seemed to abate slightly when he saw her approach. He had spent an hour loolding for her only to
find out she had shared a car ride home. Lily lowered her head and kicked the small pebbles by her foot. "I do,"
She hadn't held out any hope before signing up for the competition. However, the desire to win the
championship becimpossible to ignore after participating in the competition.
Xavier held his cigarette between his fingers and spoke
e in a tone that carried a lunt of condescension "Chwith me, and the championship is yours." Lily
looked up in surprise. The misty winter air swirled between them. She waved away the smole and the mist to get
a clearer view of his expression. This wasn't a casual offer but a grave and deliberate proposition. He didn't care
whether Lily wanted it or not. He was stubbornly convinced that this was exactly what she desired..
"Xavier, even if you're not here to congratulate me, could you at least stop humiliating me?" Did he think the
only way she could win was if someone handed it to her? Was her effort so inconsequential?
The cigarette burned slowly between Xavier's fingers. The cold wind blew away the accumulated ash.
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He suddenly laughed. His voice was deep and resonant. "Do you really have no idea how you advanced? Why did
you take it when someone gives it to you, but it becomes an insult when | do?"
"I advanced because of my hard work, not because anyone handed it to me!" Lily snapped back. "And it's none
of your business even if someone did helpwin!" Xavier was so furious that he laughed. "How hardworking
you are."
What difference did it make even if she won the championship through her efforts?
He couldn't understand. After all the effort and turmoil she had gone through during their prolonged divorce,
everything she struggled for could be bets with just one word with him.
What exactly
ly did she
Ishe want? Lily clenched her hands tightly into fists and raised her head to meet his gaze.
"Xavier, you'll change the way you seeone day. I'll make you look atin a whole new light!"
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