Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 90

Stella didn’t glance at that woman again, nor did she notice the mischievous glint in Jeremy’s eyes.

The lights in the exhibition hall suddenly went out, and the room fell into a dim silence. The atmosphere

became tense.

The lighting crew stood ready, prepared to adjust the lights to highlight the jewelry each model would wear.

Lumière Group and Lloyd Group weren’t the only ones showing off their jewelry tonight. Several other jewelry companies had also brought in their own models to strut the runway.

Lumière Group and Lloyd Group were scheduled near the end—a little trick by the organizers to build suspense and wrap up the show with a bang.

Click! The lights flashed back on. As the crowd adjusted to the brightness, they saw a model wearing an intricate necklace. The centerpiece glimmered nicely, but it wasn’t stunning enough to make the crowd gasp.

“The design is a bit outdated,” said the older woman on the judging panel. Her tone was elegant, but the words were harsh.

The designer from the jewelry company looked pale, clearly rattled by her comment. He recognized who she was and mumbled, not daring to argue.

For the next few rounds, the old lady didn’t hold back, giving her honest opinion on each piece. None of the pieces really impressed her, but her feedback was fair.

“Honestly, I’m getting so bored. When are Lumière Group and Lloyd Group finally going to show up?” someone grumbled.

“Who knows? The organizers are probably holding them till the end,” another person replied.

“Can they hurry up already? I’m dying of boredom,” someone else chimed in.

The crowd was clearly getting restless. All the excitement had worn off, leaving only impatience.

The old lady frowned in obvious displeasure. Watching these clumsy designs was a waste of her time. If it weren’t for a favor she owed the organizers, she wouldn’t have agreed to judge this event. She had agreed to come for another reason.

Then, whoosh! Blood–red light suddenly poured down from the ceiling. Sylvia walked out in a black dress, a crown on her head, bathed in the crimson light, making it look like a blood–red mist surrounded her.

Her every step felt heavy. Paired with her gothic makeup and disdainful glare, she looked like a queen delivering a harsh judgment.

Those with a taste for the dark and forbidden were visibly exhilarated. Others were captivated, completely drawn in by the spectacle.

The old lady, for the first time that night, gave a rare smile and praised the piece. “The centerpiece is a 3–carat SI clarity black diamond, paired with roughly 36 low–clarity smoky stones. The blend is flawless and really

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Chapter 90

makes this piece stand out. Well done.”

“Thank you.” Sylvia grinned, already convinced Stella was going down.

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But when she returned backstage and saw Stella taking the stage, her confidence shattered. She couldn’t believe the woman on stage was the same lifeless Stella she used to know.

Under the spotlight, Stella looked like an ethereal goddess, her body glowing with starlike particles.

The Auroral Tiara on her head refracted the light into eight arrowhead–shaped beams that floated around her brow, moving with her every step. The train of her gown trailed behind her, leaving a trail of golden brilliance.

The optical effects were breathtaking, leaving everyone in awe. Down in the audience, people gazed in awe at the scene, barely able to blink.

The earlier impression of Sylvia faded completely, overshadowed by the sheer spectacle of Stella’s presence.

Their hesitation in bidding on the Eclipsed Crown was mainly about whether it could win them Ernest’s favor.

But when it came to Stella’s Auroral Tiara, there was no hesitation–they were already figuring out the best offer to put on the table.

“Perfect,” said a familiar voice from the judging panel.

After the organizers tallied the votes, they announced, “The winner of this competition is Ms. Spencer from Lumière Group. Her piece–the Auroral Tiara–scored an impressive 96!”

Honestly, dropping a few points here and there was totally normal. Some people were going to love her work, and others just wouldn’t vibe with it–there was no way to make something that everyone in the room would

adore.

“And the runner–up is…” the host continued, but Sylvia had already stopped listening. She was no longer interested.

Even though her score wasn’t far behind Stella’s, losing was losing. There were no excuses.

“Well, don’t blame me for what happens next,” Sylvia muttered under her breath, her cold gaze replaced with an eerie calm.

In the break room, Stella was removing her makeup when Jeremy walked in with a few people behind him. “Congratulations,” Jeremy said.

“Jeremy,” Stella began, but then she noticed Ernest standing right next to him. She couldn’t help but stop in her tracks, startled.

Jeremy quickly explained, “Mr. Lloyd is here to discuss a partnership. He’s interested in helping you promote your upcoming Kiss of Dawn Collection.”

If it were anything else, Jeremy would’ve turned it down in a heartbeat. But the chance for Ernest to help Stella earn money and build her reputation–he was all in.

Stella frowned slightly as she considered the offer but didn’t refuse. “Alright, Mr. Lloyd. If you’re free tomorrow, you can come to Lumière Group, and we can discuss the details. I need to remove my makeup and rest now, so it’s not the best time.”

Back then, Stella would’ve given anything for a chance to be around Ernest. But now, she couldn’t even bother to look his way. If it wasn’t for everyone at Lumière Group counting on her, she wouldn’t have agreed to any

deal with him.

“Alright, Ernest said, lips pressed into a thin line. He gave a quick nod before leaving.

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Chapter 91