Chapter 1104

Natalie bobbed her head. “I’m glad to know that. Has Lacey done this before?”

“No, that was her first time. She did it because she feared Mr. Shane. She thought you’d abuse his
influence to win the competition, so she wanted to get rid of you first.”

Lina let out a sardonic laugh. “Hmph! Yes, Shane is indeed influential, but it doesn’t mean that Nat
would depend on him to win the competition. She is where she is now solely because of her own
capabilities. I don’t think she has no idea how talented Nat is, but she turns a blind eye to it and
adamantly believes that Nat is playing dirty. How despicable! Has she been through any unfair
treatment previously?”

Silas let out a dry cough. “You’re right. Lacey said that her country had organized a design competition
the year before. Initially, it was obvious that she would win the championship, but an average and
incapable designer snatched the title from her using his prominent background. Since then, she resents
people with prominent backgrounds.”

“In short, she detests the rich.” Sally pursed her lips in disdain.

Natalie sighed and shook her head. “There are thousands of reasons to hate someone. How about
Annette? What was her reason for doing so?”

“Madam, she is not against you, but…” He turned to gaze at Lina.

Stupefied, the latter pointed at herself. “Me?”

“Yes, she did it to go against you. She said the resources you received in the previous jewelry design
competition were supposed to be hers. The sponsor approached her first but collaborated with you
after going through your products. That was why she held grudges against you.”

Lina’s lips twitched. “I did not know the sponsor had looked for her before approaching me.”



No wonder Annette seems so sullen and resentful every time she sees me. I always thought that was
just how her personality was, that she looked down on foreign designers. After all, many people here
are rather racist, so the local and foreign designers do not see eye to eye, and there has always been
bad blood between the two groups. Never had I thought that the resources are the reason Annette
hates me. Well, I can put myself in her shoes. If I were her, and my resources and sponsor were
snatched from me by another designer, I would be pissed too even if the designer did not do it on
purpose.

“Nat, tell me. Have I done wrong?” Lina asked tentatively.

Natalie shook her head. “Of course not. That’s just how things work. You did not steal the resources
from her. The sponsor was no fool and would definitely choose to collaborate with a more outstanding
designer instead. You don’t have to feel guilty about it.”

Sally agreed at once, “Yes, Nat is right. The sponsor did not sign any agreement with Annette before
looking for you, so it was not against the rule. She should blame herself for not being able to outshine
you. Besides, even if you did not receive those resources, she would still have gone against other
designers. Otherwise, she would not have harmed so many of them.”

“You’re right.” After the two assured her, Lina was no longer guilt-ridden.

I did not snatch those from her intentionally. Why should I blame myself then?

“All right, Mr. Campbell. Thank you for informing me. You may leave now,” Natalie said while looking at
Silas.

Sally stood up right away. “I’ll go with him.”

Natalie giggled. “Sure.”



The two left the villa arm in arm.

Lina stood up too. “Nat, I’m going to the police station.”

“Are you going to visit Annette?” Natalie could guess her intention in an instant.

Lina hummed in agreement. “I have something to talk to her.”

“Go head.” The other woman bobbed her head.

After Lina went out, the palatial living room in the villa was left with Natalie alone.

Glancing at the clock, she assumed that Shane’s plane had already touched down, so she picked up
her phone to call him.




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