Now, she owned the stage with absolute confidence and grace. This was an Isabella he had never seen before.

Their eyes locked, her gaze steady and unwavering. Three years had passed, and she finally stood on equal ground with him—perhaps even higher. The days of feeling overshadowed by him felt like a lifetime ago.

A faint, cool smile touched her lips, devoid of warmth.

Inside, Isabella felt a deep calm, even a flicker of self-satisfaction. “Thank you all. It’s an honor to serve as chief judge for Design Visionaries today…”

She moved gracefully to the judges’ table and took her seat.

Ethan watched Isabella shine under the lights, his emotions tangled and conflicted. “Serena? How could she possibly be Serena?” A sharp voice cut through the hall’s silence.

Ashley Moore, known in the design department for her closeness to Vanessa, couldn’t hide her shock. “No one has ever seen Serena. How do we know this isn’t an imposter taking advantage?”

Whispers immediately spread through the crowd. Skeptical eyes turned toward Isabella. Contestants murmured among themselves, questioning the authenticity of this young woman claiming to be the legendary designer.

The committee members shifted uncomfortably. Having never met Serena in person, they were unsure how to address the growing doubt.

Isabella’s composure didn’t break. She rose smoothly and stepped to the center of the stage.

“I understand my presence here may come as a surprise. Given that Serena has always remained private, your skepticism is reasonable,” she stated.

Her eyes swept across the room before settling on Ashley. A subtle smile played on her lips. “Since there are doubts about my identity, I’ll let my work speak for itself.”

Ashley squirmed under Isabella’s steady gaze but held her ground. “That sounds good in theory, but how do we know your designs aren’t just copies?”

Isabella laughed lightly. “Copies? Then let’s do this: I’ll create something live. Let’s take ‘Neo Metropolis’ as our theme. The judges and the audience can witness it together.” She turned toward the other designers. “Anyone who feels confident is welcome to join.”

The challenge electrified the venue. From his seat, Ethan watched Isabella intently, captivated by her commanding presence.

The next three hours passed in a blur of focused energy. Seated among the judges, Isabella worked with intense concentration, fully absorbed in her creation.

As time ended, contestants presented their designs one by one. The large screen displayed a range of futuristic, urban-inspired jewelry pieces.

When Isabella’s design appeared, it stood out immediately. She had used tourmaline in an innovative way, crafting a piece that combined clarity with a bold, futuristic aesthetic—almost leaping off the screen. The room fell into awed silence before erupting into applause.

Isabella’s former colleagues from Blackwood Enterprises exchanged stunned looks, their faces revealing sheer disbelief. Ashley’s face paled; her lips trembled, but no words came out.

Throughout it all, Isabella remained poised and unshaken, her mind clear and focused. She had expected this outcome. To her, the competition was merely a minor challenge.

Breaking the silence, Ethan rose to his feet.

“Ashley’s design also deserves recognition. It’s quite creative,” his voice resonated, carrying a subtle tone of advocacy.

Isabella’s eyes lingered on Ethan for a moment. He was as polished and charismatic as ever, yet his gaze seemed more enigmatic now. A faint ripple of emotion stirred within her. Of course, he was defending his employee—it was only natural.