The backstage area of the Golden Fleece competition was a chaotic symphony of hurried movents, hushed whispers, and the distinct sound of people going back and forth. Lyse navigated the bustling space, her focus laser-sharp on the task at hand. She needed to check on the placent of her garnts, ensure the models were properly briefed, and review the choreography one last ti. She could not afford any distractions.
But distractions, it seed, were determined to find her.
As she rounded a corner, she ca face to face with Brooke. Brooke was surrounded by an entourage – a gaggle of aspiring designers and sycophantic assistants who hung onto her every word. It was understandable that they were hanging around Brooke considering she was sothing of a celebrity.
Lyse had known that she would have to run into Brooke sooner or later, it was better it happened sooner. She wondered how they would feel if they found out that she had been responsible for their idol’s accomplishnts and wins.
They were all dressed impeccably, radiating an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. They stopped their chatter abruptly as Lyse approached, their eyes following her every move with a mixture of amusent and thinly veiled disdain.
Brooke’s lips curled into a condescending smile. "Hi Lyse."
"Well, well, well," one of the designers around Brooke drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look who decided to grace us with her presence. I was wondering if you would actually show up, Lyse."
Lyse t Brooke’s gaze with a steady look, ignoring the people around her half sister and refusing to be intimidated. She had expected this. She had known that Brooke would not let this opportunity pass without trying to rattle her.
"Wouldn’t miss it for the world," Lyse replied, her voice calm and even. "I wouldn’t want to miss your inevitable triumph, Brooke."
Brooke chuckled, a low, condescending sound. "Oh, you can be sure of that, darling," she said. "This competition is mine for the taking. Everyone knows it, all this is just a formality."
Her entourage giggled in agreent, their eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and sycophantic glee. They were like a pack of wolves, circling their prey, confident in their leader’s dominance.
"Why bother competing, Lyse?" one of Brooke’s assistants chid in, her voice laced with mockery.
"You guys, that’s not fair." Brooke said with exaggerated niceness, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "The competition is open to everyone, Lyse is allowed to be here."
"You know you don’t stand a chance against Brooke."
Another assistant snickered. "Maybe she is just here for the experience," she said, her tone dripping with condescension. "You know, to learn from the master."
"Yes, I bet she thinks that because her husband wealthy he will be able to buy her this win too." Another said mockingly.
Lyse clenched her fist at the fact that they brought Levi into the conversation, but she still did not respond to their taunts. She refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing her flustered or upset. She had co here to showcase her talent, not to engage in petty squabbles with people who obviously did not know why they had co.
She simply nodded to Brooke, her expression neutral. "Good luck, Brooke," she said, her voice devoid of any emotion. "May the best man win."
Then, she turned and walked away, leaving Brooke and her entourage in her wake. Their loud voices followed her..
As she walked, she could feel their eyes on her back, their laughter echoing through the backstage area. She did not let any of it bother her. She had more important things to focus on, like winning the competition and trapping a thief.
She found Sarah and Kim near her designated dressing room, busily organizing her garnts. They both looked up as she approached, their faces filled with concern.
"Is everything okay?" Sarah asked, her brow furrowed. "We heard Brooke and her crew..."
Lyse waved her hand dismissively. "It’s nothing," she said. "Just Brooke being Brooke. Don’t let it distract you from our work and what is important."
Kim, however, looked a little uneasy. He avoided Lyse’s gaze, his movents slightly jerky and uncoordinated. Lyse smiled, knowing that bringing Kim with her had been a very good choice. There was no way that Brooke would be able to resist the temptation.
"Kim, is everything alright?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Kim hesitated for a mont, then nodded quickly. "Yes ma’am, everything is fine," he said, her voice a little too high-pitched. "I’m, just ...nervous, I guess."
Lyse smiled reassuringly. "I know it’s a big day and a big competition," she said. "But you’ve got this. We’ve all got this."
Kim forced a smile and Lyse smiled back at him, her eyes guileless and innocent.
She glanced back at Brooke and her entourage, who were still watching her from across the room. Brooke was laughing, her head thrown back, her eyes gleaming with triumph. She caught Lyse’s gaze and winked, a smug, self-satisfied look on her face.
Lyse did not feel even the slightest flicker of anger or annoyance, instead she was amused by Brooke’s peacocking but she hid it under a blank, unaffected face. She would not let Brooke get to her. She would not let her win. She had worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let soone like Brooke steal her dream.
She thought of her designs, the unique, innovative creations that she had poured her heart and soul into. She thought of the ssage she wanted to convey through her clothing, the stories she wanted to tell. She had sothing to say, sothing important to share with the world. And she wouldn’t let anyone, most especially Brooke, silence her voice.
She turned back to Sarah and Kim, her expression determined. "Let us focus on what matters," she said. "We need to focus on the designs that we have worked so hard on, that is the only way we are going to win this competition."
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