Chapter 1098

Lina nudged Natalie gently. “Nat, don’t you think she’s crazy? Why is she criticizing the judges? The
judges are all top of their leagues. How is she going to survive in this industry after offending all of
them?”

“Who knows what she’s thinking.” Natalie shrugged as she was clueless as well.

However, she believed that they would soon find out.

As expected, Annette turned to Natalie before revealing her answer.

Natalie frowned.

Why is she looking at me? Don’t tell me that it has something to do with me.

Annette snatched the microphone from the host. “I knew something shady is going on because of what
Ms. Smith just told me.”

“Huh?” Natalie was shocked.

Indeed, she is dragging me into this. But when did I ever say something like that to her?

Natalie was not alone. Even Lina and Lacey were shocked too.

Lacey was shocked because Annette had hidden such vital information from her.

Lina, on the other hand, was shocked with disbelief.

“Nat, did you say something like that to her?” Lina pointed at Annette.

Natalie rolled her eyes. “How is that possible? I’ve never spoken to her.”

“Then why did she call you out?” Lina blinked in bewilderment.



Natalie shrugged. “How would I know? Annette, I would like to know what is going on too. When did I
tell you that there’s something shady involving the judges?”

She received the microphone from the host and looked at Annette calmly. What Annette said did not
faze her at all.

When the reporters and the audience watching the live stream saw how calm Natalie was, none of
them believed in Annette’s accusation.

“You said it just now.” Annette glared at Natalie.

Natalie frowned. “Just now?”

“Yes, everyone was nervous before the result came out, but you and Lina remained calm. You told Lina
that you were sure that both of you would proceed to the final round. So let me ask you. No one knew
the result then, but how did the both of you know that you would get through? There is only one
obvious answer. Both of you knew that you would make it to the final round since the beginning
because you bribed the judges.” Annette pointed at the row of judges.

The judges could not help but laugh upon hearing Annette’s explanation.

Natalie and Lina laughed too.

However, the reporters and Annette did not understand what was going on and wondered why they
were laughing.

In the dressing room, Shane narrowed his eyes viciously and said, “I’ve never seen someone so
stupid.”



Connor nodded in agreement. “Yes, she didn’t even bother to hide her stupidity and showed it to the
world. What was she thinking?”

Sharon looked at her father and her brother in confusion.

“Ms. Smith, is what Ms. Jenning said true? Did you bribe the judges?” asked the reporter from before.

Natalie rolled her eyes at the reporter. “Do you think it is possible? Do you think I can afford to bribe
sixteen top designers?”

Realization dawned upon everyone.

She’s right. Natalie may be famous now, but she’s just a rookie designer. How can a rookie designer
afford to bribe a top designer, much less sixteen of them?

“I never said that you bribed all of them. But I’m sure you have bribed a few of them. Let’s not forget
about your mentor. She will definitely make sure that you make it to the final round. As for the other
judges, from what I knew, they are your mentor’s friends. Perhaps—”

“Shut up!” Natalie interrupted. “You can criticize me, but not my mentor and her peers. They are all our
esteemed predecessors in this field. You have no right to criticize them.”

The judges nodded with satisfaction upon hearing what Natalie said.

“Mercede, your student is quite impressive.” The top designer beside Mercede praised Natalie.


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