Volume One, Chapter 19: The Flames of Jealousy in His Eyes Threaten to Consume Everything

As she spoke, she cast a glance at Su Tingwan. In that look, her eyes could not hide her admiration for her. She truly loved Su Tingwan’s design this time. Su Tingwan was, in her heart, the undisputed first place.

“Given the outstanding performances of the second and third place winners in this competition, after careful deliberation by the senior management of Carlisle Jewelry Company, it has been unanimously decided that these two will also be invited to intern with Carlisle Jewelry. We hope all three will continue to work hard and create even more exceptional pieces.”

At these words, the audience erupted in a commotion. Interning at Carlisle Jewelry was the dream of every jewelry designer. Naturally, it was Su Tingwan’s dream as well. She could hardly believe her ears.

“Really? That’s wonderful!” The third-place winner, Huang Ying, exclaimed joyfully, while Cheng Muyan’s face turned ashen, clearly indicating Su Tingwan had not misheard. This was indeed true.

Cheng Muyan’s expression could no longer be described as merely unpleasant. Originally, it had been agreed that only the first-place winner would be accepted into Carlisle Jewelry. Yet now, even Su Tingwan was granted entry!

Clenching her fists, her nails dug deeply into her palms.

Following the thunderous applause, the award ceremony concluded. The host announced, “The ceremony is now over. Please exit the stage in an orderly manner.”

Fu Xicheng and Cheng Muyan exited from the left side. Cheng Muyan linked her arm with Fu Xicheng’s, deliberately passing right in front of Su Tingwan.

Su Tingwan chose to leave from the right side, with Lu Yunchen closely behind her. He was very gentlemanly, allowing her to go ahead.

Her dress was too long and her heels too high. As she descended the steps, she accidentally stepped on the hem of her gown.

“Ah!” she gasped softly, nearly losing her balance.

“Careful!” Lu Yunchen’s long arm shot out, catching her waist just in time.

His touch was gentlemanly, never crossing any boundaries. Once Su Tingwan regained her footing, he withdrew his hand.

Startled, Su Tingwan’s eyes glistened with a hint of moisture as she thanked him, still shaken, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied with a gentle smile.

Afterwards, he extended his arm to help her down. Su Tingwan was momentarily surprised but did not hesitate, returning his smile gratefully. She gracefully placed her hand on his arm and descended the stage with poise.

Lu Yunchen remained chivalrous, supporting her all the way backstage.

Fu Xicheng witnessed the entire scene, his expression darkening to an unfathomable degree. Especially when he caught the brief moment of shared smiles between Su Tingwan and Lu Yunchen, the coldness in his eyes was chilling enough to freeze a soul.

Backstage, in the corridor—

“Muyan, you’re amazing! I just knew you’d take first place!” Fu Yihuan, unaware of the recent twist, had long assumed Cheng Muyan was the winner. Clutching a bouquet, she congratulated her exuberantly.

Though Cheng Muyan’s mood was sour, she forced a smile and gently inhaled the fragrance of the flowers. “Thank you, Yihuan.”

Su Tingwan passed by them from the other side without a glance, walking straight past.

As she brushed past, Fu Yihuan shot a spiteful, knowing look at Su Tingwan, sneering, “Someone who stoops to any means, only to end up empty-handed—tch, serves her right.”

“How did Cheng Muyan’s first place come about? Don’t you have any idea? How dare you gloat in front of me?” Su Tingwan’s eyes grew cold as she retorted sharply.

“Tingwan, I know you’re upset about losing to me, but you shouldn’t say such things,” Cheng Muyan said, frowning with righteous indignation.

“Am I really just making things up?” Su Tingwan sneered.

“Muyan, don’t listen to her. She’s just sour grapes, jealous of you!” Fu Yihuan’s eyes flashed with contempt as her words grew sharper and more cutting. “Look at that ugly face of hers twisted by envy—it’s disgusting! You guessed right. Muyan’s top spot was thanks to my brother...”

“Yihuan!” Cheng Muyan snapped angrily, her face burning with embarrassment. Looking at Fu Yihuan’s triumphant expression, she felt utterly defeated.

There’s no greater fear than a teammate as foolish as Fu Yihuan.

Su Tingwan had no proof of the rigging behind Cheng Muyan’s victory, but now Fu Yihuan had unwittingly slapped her in the face.

“Muyan, don’t be too kind to her or consider her feelings,” Fu Yihuan said gleefully, unwilling to miss any chance to rile Su Tingwan.

She adored her brother so much. Knowing he had helped Cheng Muyan infuriated her to no end. The more uncomfortable Su Tingwan felt, the happier Fu Yihuan became.

“Tingwan, my brother loves Muyan deeply and wants her to marry into our Fu family. What good is your effort to take first place? With one word from my brother, the title goes to Muyan. My brother loves Muyan so much, he’d break any rule for her...”

“What are you talking about?” Fu Xicheng’s voice suddenly rang out, causing both Cheng Muyan and Fu Yihuan to turn pale. Especially Cheng Muyan, her heart gripped by panic.

Xicheng despised dirty tricks and underhanded tactics most of all. If he found out how her first place was secured...

“Xicheng,” Cheng Muyan forced a smile and turned to him, trying to hide her unease. Seeing his calm expression, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He hadn’t heard.

Later, after removing her makeup and changing clothes, Su Tingwan headed to the parking lot.

Out of everyone’s sight, the forced smile vanished from her lips. The thought of Xixi still not resting in peace tore at her heart like a blade.

She kept her head low, her steps heavy as she made her way toward her car.

Just then, a sleek black Maybach pulled up beside her. The rear window rolled down, revealing Lu Yunchen’s sharp and handsome face.

“Miss Su,” he greeted.

Su Tingwan looked at him in puzzlement, wondering why such a powerful figure would seek her out.

“Miss Su, I’m very interested in your design from this competition. Do you have time to discuss it?”

“Yes!” Her eyes brightened instantly.

Before she could finish speaking, the driver had already stepped out to open the door for her.

Su Tingwan bent slightly and got in.

A few meters away, Fu Xicheng watched the scene before him. His handsome face darkened, his eyes, in the dim and murky light, resembled an unfathomable abyss flickering with flames that seemed ready to consume everything in their path.