Unlike the previous rounds, the final round only presented a single glass of red wine.However, the participants had to correctly identify the brand, year, and exact date this particular series of red wine was officially launched.The first two criteria seemed manageable, but the last one was a challenge because the gap between the year the wine was produced and the year it was officially released could vary. The higher the demand, the shorter the gap between the two dates, which reflected its superior quality and customer appeal.Lucy gazed at the clear red liquid in the glass, noticing that it seemed different from the wines presented earlier. However, she was too far away to smell the aroma of the wine.Everyone in the room fell silent, holding their breath as they watched intently at the two participants taking a sip.Their expressions were calm before tasting the wine, but afterward, they both looked puzzled. They stared thoughtfully at their glasses of wine.The final round
In addition to the luxury villas worth tens of millions, the winners were also given free one-year passes to Charleston’s famous attractions and the opportunity for their respective companies to work with Charleston.The grand prize caused everyone to gasp in amazement as the royal family of Charleston spent lavishly this time. Seaside luxury villas worth tens of millions were something everyone dreamed of, but the chances of earning this much money in a lifetime were unlikely for many.Bringing in such a large foreign trade order for the winners’ respective companies was like winning the lottery. The expressions on the two winners’ faces were filled with joy. They were definitely going to receive a raise and get promoted after they brought back this good news to their companies. This route was much faster than having to slave away for several years.However, Lucy was puzzled. How were those two participants so knowledgeable about this wine brand?At this moment, Matthew cleared he
Now, it was a different story. Every time he spoke, it was always so cheesy. Although Lucy enjoyed it, hearing such words made her scalp tingle and her body break out in goosebumps.However, Matthew shrugged and smirked. “I thought all women would fall for this kind of thing…”Lucy laughed even more when she heard that. “Where did you hear that from?”Matthew was momentarily surprised. “Isn’t that the case? Maybe that person lied to me…”Lucy shook her head. “You’re not entirely wrong. Let me put it this way. It’s not just women who like hearing such words, but you men like hearing them too! "Admit it. If I were to say things like ‘I love you,' 'I really like you,' 'I want to be by your side every day,' and 'I don’t want you to leave,' wouldn’t you be glad too?”Regardless of age, everyone liked listening to sweet words. Some even thought their partners did not say enough sweet words to them, but it was all part of the romance.Matthew was relieved as he initially thought that
That statement nearly plunged Matthew back into the depths of his delusions.He could not stand listening to Lucy praise Cillian. No matter how Lucy tried to comfort him, he would still feel uncomfortable.Seeing his expression turn awkward again, Lucy immediately reassured him, “Alright, alright, I won’t say such things anymore. I promise that from now on, I’ll only say nice things about you, okay?”Matthew grumbled like a child, “You promised, so no going back on your word!”“Don’t worry, I never go back on my word. Unlike some people who back out of their promises multiple times.”Matthew knew that Lucy was teasing him, but he did not fight back.While the two conversed, the fashion show began.…Backstage, Charlotte had specially prepared an outfit for the fashion show this time. She had invited the most famous fashion designer in Charleston—Koven.Koven had quite the reputation. His designs were always the highlights of Fashion Week.Unlike other ordinary runway outfits,
Koven stood outside the runway, unsure of what to say. The crowd was bustling, and many people were flocking toward the runway as the previous event had just ended.The first model walked out to the cheerful background music.The theme of this spring/summer fashion week was liveliness and youthfulness, but many designers added some mature elements to their designs to appeal to the more mature audience. The blend of bubbly charm and feminine sensuality created a style that exuded youthful sophistication.The first model’s outfit received much praise, and many women at the venue took their phones out to capture photos of the first outfit.The outfit was professional enough for women to wear in the workplace and stylish enough that it did not make one look old and outdated.Lucy thought that wearing this outfit to the office would surely make any woman the focus of attention.The outfit the first model wore was a fitted suit. The upper half conveyed the formal style of a traditional
Lucy had hoped to chat with the celebrity she had just become acquainted with and gossip about the latest celebrity news, but to her dismay, that person had already left.She had no choice but to redirect her attention back to the runway.Just as she was about to zone out, the second model had appeared on center stage.Lucy thought the first design suited many women’s tastes, but she was surprised to see that the second outfit was even better.Lucy heard that the first and second outfits were designed by the same designer. The second model sported a summer dress. To further highlight a woman’s feminine allure, the dress had a diagonal neckline with only a single strap on the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder exposed.The hem of the dress was not overly embellished as it would only make it look cumbersome.To accentuate the slim fit of the dress, the designer added a decorative belt with unique patterns. The buckle was cleverly designed to enhance the slimming effect whi
The lights in the venue had gotten so dark that one could not even see one's own hand, with the only beam of light focused on the center of the stage.Suddenly, Charlotte emerged from backstage, slowly making her way to the spotlight. As she stepped into the light, the entire venue lit up with a snap.In the dazzling lights of the runway, all eyes were fixed on Charlotte.Lucy widened her eyes and stared at Charlotte intently.The design of Song of the Red Lotus was indeed impressive and worthy of the spotlight. Like its name, the dress was vibrant red, which made the wearer look much more radiant.It was a floor-length dress, but subtle adjustments had been made to the hemline. Instead of busy patterns, the designer opted for diagonal lines to accentuate the wearer’s figure and legs.To highlight the waist, Koven paired the dress with a tasseled pearl belt.Under the spotlight, the meticulously crafted belt shimmered brilliantly.If not for the sparkling diamonds and delicate
How the heck did Charlotte convince a world-renowned designer like Koven to let her wear this dress?Lucy thought about Charlotte’s attitude toward herself, and she began to come up with a plausible explanation.Perhaps Charlotte resorted to some form of coercion to make Koven comply.He was a well-known figure in the fashion industry, after all. He could not be easily swayed otherwise.The worst-case scenario Lucy could think of was that Charlotte threatened Koven.Maybe she warned him that if he did not create a runway-worthy outfit for her, she would ruin his entire career.Charlotte was certainly capable of making such threats.While Koven sat in the audience with a grim expression, Charlotte remained oblivious to why people were constantly taking photos of her. She just thought that her attire had finally dispelled the various criticisms about her. She just continued to strike poses in the middle of the runway, making the whole situation all the more amusing.Lucy heard
As Gabriella examined the luxurious clothes, bags, shoes, and pants, she could not help but feel that Lucy was completely unappreciative of such treasures. She failed to utilize them to enhance her appearance! They spent quite a while going through the various garments and accessories, yet there were still items they had not finished checking out.Lucy gave an awkward smile, acknowledging her own laziness. After a long search, Gabriella finally found a piece that caught her eye. As she checked the tag, she was surprised to find that the dress was designed by a renowned French designer. It featured a V-neck, with simple yet elegant sleeves that revealed a hint of Lucy's arms, while the skirt was a refined and tailored fit.Gabriella held up the dress against Lucy, murmuring to herself, “Hmm, this one’s nice! You should try it on!” Even though she spoke to Lucy in a tone reminiscent of an older sister, she still maintained her authority as a mother-in-law. It made her words both
Since the previous incident, Lucy had become increasingly attentive to her children. She watched over them at nearly every moment. She feared that Charlotte might seize any chance to harm the children, so she remained vigilant and meticulous, avoiding any lapses. In her eyes, Matthew Leon and the children represented her entire world, and she could not afford even the slightest mishap.One day, Gabriella Sharpe visited their home. She arrived as lively as ever, wearing impeccably applied makeup that included an expensive shade of lipstick. Her appearance radiated the elegance of a woman of high social standing, making her stand out among the people on the street.Lucy welcomed Gabriella warmly, treating her with utmost respect. It created an atmosphere of family harmony. Gabriella settled into a chair, savoring the fruit that Lucy offered her. She held Johnny closely, reluctant to part with him. She showered him with compliments and laughter."Mom, you seem to be in a great mood l
Matthew noticed Lucy’s absent-mindedness and asked gently, "Lulu, what’s on your mind?"“Oh, nothing… I just think what happened to Charlotte is so sudden,” Lucy replied.“Don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with us. She was always trying to harm you. Her fate is something she brought upon herself.” Matthew patted her head comfortingly.However, Lucy found it suspicious. Although the news reported Charlotte’s assassination and that the monastery had burned down to ashes, it did not mention her body. That kind of crucial detail would not have been overlooked by the media.Matthew had also considered this possibility, but he had kept it to himself to avoid alarming Lucy. Charlotte had been sent to the monastery because of him and Lucy, and she had to harbor a deep hatred for them. If she managed to orchestrate her own escape, what if she was now seeking help from Spades to target Lucy? That would be dangerous.“Lulu, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the ch
With nothing left to hold onto, Charlotte walked down the empty streets, her heart heavy with despair. She wore a black veil that covered her completely, revealing only her eyes. She even had on dark sunglasses. She dared not walk in the open or be seen, nor did she dare expose Juliana’s crimes to the world.She used to be a princess. Everything she had done, every privilege and indulgence, was backed by Arthur and Juliana’s love and permission. Now that her supporters had betrayed her, what right did she have to be reckless or demand anything? Surviving itself was a luxury. How could she even think of acting willfully?As she wandered in anguish, Charlotte found herself by the river. She remembered coming here with Arthur and Juliana when she was a child, laughing and walking along the bank. Now, each memory felt painfully ironic, and every kiss from Juliana seemed sickening. How could her world be so false? How could even the people she trusted most turn against her?Charlotte cou
Charlotte continued to hide within the castle, unwilling to leave and equally unwilling to let anyone know she was alive—unless they promised never to send her back to the monastery. However, she doubted that would happen, so she kept to the shadows. After all, the castle had plenty of food. It was far better than anything at the monastery.One night, Charlotte quietly slipped into Arthur and Juliana's bedroom. To her surprise, Arthur was not there, and only Juliana was present. 'Dad must be too upset to sleep,' Charlotte thought. She knew him well—whenever he was troubled, he would retreat to the study rather than go to bed.As she watched her beloved mother, a tiny bit of her resolve wavered. Juliana looked utterly exhausted, as if she had lost a lot of weight in just a few days. Charlotte had a sudden urge to go in and comfort her, but she knew that was impossible. Charlotte realized that seeing someone through a wall of separation was the most painful thing of all.Just as
The next morning, news of the assassination attempt on Charlotte was sensationalized across all media outlets. The internet was flooded with headlines about her close brush with death, sparking worldwide shock. No one could believe that Charlotte, notorious for her arrogance and harsh treatment of offenders, could have been targeted like this. Many who resented her strict, often cruel ways were both thrilled and stunned by the news. The royal family immediately tightened security at the monastery, dispatching a large police force to investigate what had happened. The monastery became a focal point of public intrigue.“What? That's impossible! How could there be no trace?” Juliana exclaimed in disbelief. Standing before her was the chief forensic investigator.“Yes, Your Majesty, there's no sign of Princess Charlotte’s remains,” the investigator confirmed firmly.“Fine, I understand. Leave me, and keep me informed if anything changes,” Juliana replied, pressing her fingers to her
As the footsteps came closer, Charlotte held her breath, not daring to make a sound. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared—it was clear they were targeting her. She watched as the figure approached the bed, moving so quietly it was as if they made no sound at all. What could they possibly be planning? Surely, the headmistress would not go this far?The figure drew closer to the bed, bundled up the pillows and blankets, and then doused something over them. Charlotte could smell it—it was gasoline! Was the headmistress planning to kill her to silence her? She froze, unable to move. The shadow struck a match and dropped it onto the bed. In an instant, flames surged up from the blankets.In the fire’s glow, Charlotte could make out that it was not the headmistress but a man. After setting the fire, he quickly slipped away without making a single sound. Charlotte crept out while stifling a cough, afraid he might hear and return. The flames grew quickly, engulfing the bed and spreading t
Over the past year or so, Charlotte had gradually come to understand that the world was not just about picturesque landscapes and lavish feasts. In the shadows, beyond her sight, lay a world full of schemes and deception. Despite her ongoing attempts to plot against Lucy Quinn, she had not noticed this aspect at all until she arrived at the monastery. Here, she realized how dark human nature could truly be.The women at the monastery constantly criticized and belittled her, while the headmistress was corrupt, using her position for personal vendettas. She was also driven by greed for wealth and status. All Charlotte wanted was to escape this dreadful place and return to her castle. She wanted to go back to her plush, comfortable bed. There, she led a life surrounded by maids tending to her every need.Thinking of this, she remembered Lucy and envisioned her seated in her rightful place, basking in the affection of Arthur and Juliana. She could see Lucy's haughty expression starin
In a moment of heat, Charlotte blurted everything out. Joan was dumbfounded! Was this really Charlotte? She usually did not talk this much, did she? It was not just Joan who was shocked; the headmistress across from Charlotte was equally taken aback. Charlotte was usually so obedient. How had her tongue turned so venomous today? The headmistress was left speechless as every word Charlotte said was so reasonable that no one could argue against it, and it even warranted some compliments! Although Charlotte was confronting the headmistress, each of her statements felt like a plea for justice.Charlotte was not done yet and continued, “Since you know I’m a princess, you should give me some consideration. Yet, in reality, I’m the one giving you all the consideration. Is that reasonable?” Charlotte’s arguments were layered and logical, her thoughts clear. It left the headmistress in a muddle while Joan looked on with envy! The headmistress glanced at Charlotte, feeling quite displease