Chapter 394

Previously, she had been ill. After her school uniform design was completed, she asked Paige to send it to Islaton Private International Kindergarten. She then forgot about it.

"After all, it was $100,000. This really shouldn't have happened." Maeve reflected for a moment and solemnly opened the chat group. The results had been posted yesterday, but she hadn't noticed. [First place... Faye.]

Maeve was surprised. She couldn't guarantee first place, but she was confident in her design. Furthermore, she'd seen Faye's previous work, and its quality was inconsistent.

Considering Faye's previous request to withdraw from the competition, Maeve wondered if this first-place win was legitimate.

Her fingertips trailed down the screen. She realized her name wasn't listed among the participating school uniform designs. "What's going on?" She immediately went to the principal for an explanation.

The principal replied, "We didn't receive your uniform. Actually, I was very satisfied with your design. I wanted to remind you to submit it, but couldn't contact you."

"I'm sorry, I was ill and recently discharged," Maeve said, full of doubt. "My assistant sent my work two days before the deadline. The security office should have a record of it. Please verify."

"Ms. Reese, even if we confirm you submitted your work, the results are final," the principal reminded.

Maeve sighed. "I know. I don't want to change the results. I just want to know where my work went."

"Alright, wait for my news."

"Thank you, Principal."

This investigation might be difficult. Though doubtful, Maeve knew not to rush.

Back at the studio, Maeve noticed activity in the previously vacant office across the hall. The mannequins being moved in clearly indicated a clothing-related business. She paused to watch. "Who's so careless as to open a clothing studio across from us?" Paige complained. "It's obvious they did it on purpose."

Maeve smiled, saying nothing. As she was about to enter, a familiar female voice called out.

"Isn't this our great designer, Maeve? What a coincidence."

Maeve turned to see Faye approaching in a purple sequined dress. Her eyes twitched slightly.

"Fine, it didn't seem to be a coincidence." Maeve was speechless.

"Ms. Nole, did you move here because of the building's location?" Maeve asked calmly.

"From your words, Ms. Reese, it sounds like you think I'm copying you?" Faye held her exaggerated top hat and smiled disdainfully. "Do I need to learn from a defeated opponent? That would be beneath me."

"Of course. In terms of bribery, I'm not as skilled as Ms. Nole."

Faye rolled her eyes. "A loss is a loss. Your attempts at self-redemption are interesting. Can't you afford to lose?"

Faye covered her mouth and walked away, her back swaying.

Paige muttered, "If she gets any closer, that hat could be used as a weapon. Does she really think that's fashionable?"

It was a fashion disaster—a sequined dress and a courtly hat.

'How dare she mock Ms. Reese!' Paige thought angrily.

Maeve, initially upset, smiled at Paige's ridicule. "She might really think she's unique in that dress."

Maeve patted Paige's shoulder, urging her back to work.

Maeve suspected Faye would target Dreamscape, but she didn't expect it to be so blatant.

Previously, Faye had insinuated online, without naming names, that Maeve had received preferential treatment. Now, she was subtly disparaging the clothing brand on her floor, despite its popularity. Her fans, intrigued, asked for specifics about its low quality.

Faye implicitly told fans that the brand's founder had participated in the Islaton Private International Kindergarten uniform selection and lost.

Her fans reacted strongly. They knew Faye had won first place, with the $100,000 prize still displayed on her homepage.

[The brand founder lost to her. Obviously, she's not very talented. Are those customers blind?] her fans commented.

Some questioned this. [It was just a school uniform design competition. Does that truly reflect a designer's skill?]

Faye's diehard fans immediately rebuked them. [Is the design competition of a prestigious school like Islaton about its value? Some designers even pay to enter!]

The situation was one-sided. Soon, people identified Dreamscape as the brand on Faye's floor.

Dreamscape had recently been prominent in Kleymond, especially after its Greenhan new product exhibition. Female celebrities had posted about its creativity. And now this?

Since Dreamscape's founder lost to Faye, the brand must be inferior.

Some netizens, incited by Faye's fans, left sarcastic comments on Dreamscape's official account. Paige, managing the account, informed Maeve.

Maeve was extremely busy, juggling hospital visits and business trips. She felt overwhelmed.

After listening to Paige, she didn't look up. "Ignore them. A loss is a loss. Responding will only make us seem sore losers. It won't help." Faye's brand, established five or six years ago, wasn't very popular.

She likely aimed to use Dreamscape to build momentum and gradually replace it.

Responding would play right into Faye's hands.

However, Dreamscape was different now. Online manipulation wouldn't change existing customers' opinions, affecting only new customers at most. Maeve didn't care, but the McDaniel Group's public relations department was formidable.

However, this time, there were no instructions from above; they didn't immediately retaliate. They planned to consult the minister first.

"Let's see what Ms. Reese does. If there's still no action tomorrow, we'll intervene to avoid disrupting her plans," the minister ordered, holding a coffee cup.

His subordinates flattered him. "You remain so calm, Minister. We need more training."

The minister snorted. "Get back to work."

After they left, the minister set down his cup with trembling hands. "Calm? If you knew she's the president's girlfriend, let's see how calm you'd be!"