After Prison I Rushed into Marriage with a Comatose Tycoon-Chapter 131: The Fisherman’s Profit

「The Lockwood Design Department Conference Room.」

Shane Lockwood sat at the head of the table, flanked by the top executives of The Lockwood Group.

Everyone from the Lockwood Design Department was in attendance, including Brenda Preston. Not a single person was absent.

Although this selection process was primarily focused on the chief designers, other aspiring designers who wished to compete had also prepared their work.

They all held the designs they had prepared for the presentation.

Erik Irvine spoke up. "I’m sure everyone is clear on the purpose of today’s meeting. It’s not only to select a gown for Miss Lockwood’s coming-of-age ceremony, but also to decide on the invitation to the Golden Summit Award semifinals."

The Golden Summit Award is the nation’s most prestigious competition. Anyone who manages to make a name for themselves there is guaranteed to secure a place in the design world.

You could say the Golden Summit Award is the holy grail for many designers.

Erik Irvine continued, "Four years ago, the Lockwood Design Department was defeated by Innis and bitterly settled for second place. This year, I hope the designer representing the Lockwood Group can bring back the trophy, redeem the department, and win glory for our company."

Eliza Sutton resisted the urge to facepalm. ’They just won one championship, that’s all. Do they really have to act like their whole world fell apart?’

"You are all aware of how important this competition is. I trust you will all seriously evaluate the submissions to select the best design and the best designer. Alright, please present your work."

The moment Erik Irvine finished speaking, the atmosphere in the conference room grew tense. Every designer became incredibly nervous.

After all, to represent the Lockwood Group at the Golden Summit Award—and to ultimately win—would mean a meteoric rise to fame.

Dulcie Vaughn’s chin was slightly raised, a smile of absolute confidence playing on her lips.

She had previously snuck a peek at Eliza Sutton’s design.

How should she put it?

It wasn’t bad.

At least, it was no worse than what a new intern could produce. But compared to her own work, it was nothing special.

As for Eliza Sutton’s previously stunning design, Dulcie believed that even if Eliza had truly created it herself, it was merely a flash of inspiration.

The hardest part of being a designer, after all, was consistently and efficiently producing outstanding work.

And the reason Dulcie Vaughn had secured the position of Chief Designer in a department filled with top talent was precisely because she could do just that.

Several designers from the department quickly presented their work.

The Lockwood Group executives offered plenty of praise.

Erik Irvine said, "Now it’s time for our two chief designers. Designer Sutton, Designer Vaughn, who would like to present first?"

Dulcie Vaughn looked at Eliza Sutton. "Designer Sutton, if you don’t want to go first, then I’ll go."

Dulcie swore her suggestion was a gesture of goodwill.

She was confident enough in her own design that if Eliza presented before her, she would only end up humiliating herself. This was Dulcie’s final act of kindness toward Eliza.

Eliza Sutton gestured with her hand and said, "Designer Vaughn, be my guest."

"Alright then. Thank you for your modesty, Designer Sutton."

Although Dulcie Vaughn’s words were polite, she felt Eliza was just digging her own grave. ’Soon enough, I’ll get to watch this so-called Chief Designer become a laughingstock!’

Dulcie Vaughn rose from her chair, walked to the projector, and slowly unveiled her design. Her work then appeared on the large screen, visible to everyone in the room.

The executives couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

"This gown is absolutely gorgeous. It’s the best design we’ve seen today."

"A design like this could go head-to-head with Innis at the Golden Summit Award."

"Designer Vaughn’s work is already at a master designer’s level. With this, The Lockwood Group will surely reclaim its glory at the Golden Summit Award this time."

"Designer Vaughn is so talented. This is the skill of a true designer. It’s not something you can achieve just by spending a few years at a sewing machine."

Dulcie Vaughn stood there with a serene expression, but hearing the chorus of praise made her heart blossom with joy.

It was a rare moment of relief for her lately.

Ever since Reina Miles was driven out and Eliza Sutton became the other chief designer, Dulcie hadn’t felt a moment’s peace.

She admitted that she had actually quite liked Eliza Sutton at first.

But it was the kind of affection a superior shows to a subordinate.

Forcing her to accept someone like Eliza Sutton as her equal was more difficult than killing her.

To build up more momentum for Dulcie, Brenda Preston asked, "Designer Vaughn, could you please tell us about your design concept?"

"My design concept is a bit opportunistic, you could say. I happened to see Miss Lockwood one time..."

Dulcie Vaughn went on for more than ten minutes, every word a blatant attempt to flatter Pearl Lockwood.

If there were an Olympic event for brown-nosing, Eliza thought, Dulcie would surely be a top contender.

Shane Lockwood, who had grown extremely impatient, cut in. "This presentation isn’t over yet. Designer Vaughn, perhaps you should give your colleagues a chance to present. Designer Sutton, you’re up."

Dulcie Vaughn could only return to her seat, her face flushed and her eyes full of resentment.

"Don’t feel bad. Shane has always preferred things simple and direct."

"I was the one trying too hard to show off, so it’s only natural President Lockwood got impatient. I just feel bad for you, Manager Preston. President Lockwood knows I’m your trusted subordinate, yet he was so impatient with me. You know what they say—insulting the subordinate is a slap in the face to the master. Manager Preston, you’re the one who’s truly been wronged. You and President Lockwood were childhood sweethearts, yet you’re being overshadowed by Eliza Sutton."

Dulcie Vaughn looked at Brenda Preston with pity.

Brenda Preston almost exploded. She gritted her teeth. "Favoritism? She’s just a worthless little bitch. Does she even deserve Shane’s favoritism?" Feeling uneasy, she asked, "Are you sure you saw Eliza Sutton’s design?"

"Yes. It was completely average. A world apart from my design."

"Good. You have to win this, and win it beautifully. Then I’ll make sure to drive Eliza Sutton out of the department." Brenda Preston added, "Dulcie Vaughn, look how good I am to you. I’ve gone to such great lengths to make you the sole chief designer in this department."

Dulcie Vaughn mouthed words of thanks, but her eyes were filled with scorn.

’As if I don’t know,’ she thought. ’Brenda Preston only sought me out so I would fight with Eliza Sutton, allowing her to reap the benefits from the sidelines.’

She had played along, listened to her, and successfully made Brenda Preston believe they were on the same side.

With Brenda Preston’s help this time, she was certain she could secure the entry ticket to the Golden Summit Award.

As a veteran of the Golden Summit Award, just showing up under the banner of The Lockwood Group’s Design Department was half the battle won.

The reason the entire Lockwood Group was so invested in Pearl Lockwood’s coming-of-age ceremony wasn’t just because they doted on the boss’s sister. It was because on that day, a radiant Pearl Lockwood, with her status as Miss Lockwood, would cause the replica of her gown to sell out instantly.

That’s just how ordinary people were. They always thought that if they wore the same clothes, carried the same bags, and wore the same jewelry as a wealthy heiress, they could be just like them. They had no idea it was all just a scheme set up by capitalists to fleece the masses.