"Since you're going to do something to me, then I'll just go."
I try to stand straight and walk past Hilda.
When I finally disappear from Hilda's sight, my legs are like taffy and I squat on the ground.
That's horrible.
It's too terrifying.
It's because Frances is here that Hilda pretends to be gentle and innocent.
But can I hide like today forever?
Hilda is quite calculating and unwilling to make the smallest sacrifice. She will definitely not let me go.
It's only a matter of time before she attacks me.
In the following days, I feel so scared. I can even wake up from nightmares every night.
In my dream, Hilda holds a knife and stabs it into my body.
Blood flows out and dyes the ground red.
Every time, I wake up from nightmares, screaming.
I've been living under such a situation for several days. I'm afraid that Hilda will suddenly appear and
kill me.
I'm not afraid of death, but I still have Penelope and Earl, so I can't be killed so easily.
Soon, it's the deadline.
And next, it's time for the internal evaluation of the DS Company.
Two days later, the results come out.
Sitting in front of the computer, I'm so nervous that I try to slow my breath.
After a long time, I finally screw up my courage and click the page.
The awards are announced from third to first.
The third place goes to an Italian male designer who has won many international awards.
His design is indeed very good, so he deserves to be ranked third.
The second place goes to a native American designer who's already sixty years old.
But from her design, I can feel deep love, very much in line with the theme this time.
Finally, there's only the first place left.
I glance over the page and my heart almost comes out of my throat.
A familiar name comes into my eyes.
Nicole.
The one who wins the first place is Nicole.
Not me.
I don't care about the ranking. What I care about is the five million!
Without this award, what can I do with Penelope?
I sit in front of the computer in a daze, feeling hopeless.
The phone rings. It's Nicole.
I really don't want to answer it.
But if I don't answer it, it seems like I'm a little narrow-minded.
Nicole has worked hard for so long and finally wins the championship. I should bless her, shouldn't I?
I pick up the phone, heavy-hearted. Nicole's voice sounds like she feels sorry for me. "I didn't expect
that you wouldn't win the prize this time."
I can tell that she's sincere and did not have any hypocrisy.
However, I still feel very uncomfortable.
"Maybe my work isn't good enough. After all, this is an international competition. There are so many
experts here."
"I don't think so. I've seen your work and it's really good. I think it's better than mine. The champion
should be you."
Nicole says sincerely.
However, her opinion is useless. As long as the organizers feet that my design is not good, then it is
unnecessary for us to say anything.
"Thank you, but the truth is that I didn't win the prize. Perhaps I don't know enough about the native
American culture. Or maybe I didn't calm down at that time. Anyway, the result has come out. It's
useless to say anything."
Thinking of Penelope, I feel heartache.
I've lost all my hope. I really don't know what to do.
I've always thought highly of myself.
I think that I can win the prize if I come to this competition. But I don't know that there're many talented
people here, and I'm just the most common one.
"No, you are very capable. Actually...." After a pause, Nicole can't help but say to me, "Actually, I'm
thinking if you have accidentally offend someone."
Why does she say that?
"What do you mean?" I ask suspiciously.
"I heard that the reason why you didn't win the prize this time is that someone interfered and made your
work disappear from the competition during the first round."
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