Chapter 101

Nina's POV

Ian's pen stopped tapping against his desk. Even Evelyn paused her restless pacing to look at me. I could feel their attention like a spotlight, exactly where I wanted it.

"What kind of idea?" Evelyn demanded, her impatience barely contained.

I bit my lip, letting the silence stretch. "It might be too harsh on Serena. After all, she's still technically family..."

Evelyn's laugh was sharp enough to cut glass. "Family? Did you forget how she humiliated you at that press conference? How she dragged Ian's name through the mud?"

I flinched, not entirely for show. The memory of that day still stung, even if it was useful for my current purpose. "I remember."

"Then stop being so soft," Evelyn snapped. "She never treated you like family. Why should you?"

I twisted my hands in my lap, the picture of reluctant conviction. "You're right. For Ian's sake, I'll do whatever it takes." Inside, I was smiling. They were falling for it perfectly.

"What's your plan?" Ian asked, his voice carrying that familiar edge of calculation.

I outlined my idea, watching their expressions shift from surprise to appreciation. It was beautiful in its simplicity, really. The live broadcast would make it impossible for anyone to prove deliberate sabotage, and the random partner assignments would give us the perfect cover.

"Nina," Evelyn breathed, genuine admiration in her voice. "I didn't think you had it in you."

I ducked my head, allowing a hint of shame to color my voice. "Is it too cruel? Maybe we shouldn't-"

"It's perfect," Ian cut in, standing up from his desk. "She brought this on herself."

A warm glow of satisfaction spread through my chest, but I kept my expression troubled. "If you're sure..."

"More than sure," Evelyn said, reaching for her phone. "I'll start making the arrangements."

I nodded, maintaining my facade of reluctant participation while internally savoring our upcoming victory. But then a stray thought crossed my mind, dimming my triumph. The rumors about Lucas Harrington's fiancée...

As much as it delights me to think of Serena being played by Lucas Harrington, the possibility that he might have a fiancée changes everything. If he's already engaged, then I've lost my chance to use this against her!

I press my lips together. Better to wait and watch for now.

Lucas's POV

On screen, the Battle of the Needle finale was about to begin, the stage awash in dramatic lighting as the camera panned across a thousand eager faces in the audience.

My phone buzzed again. Drew had been flooding our group chat with messages since the show began.

"IT'S STARTING! The ultimate showdown begins! 🔥"

"Serena looks absolutely stunning tonight."

"Can you believe Evelyn and Nina are paired up? This is going to be WILD!"

I ignored the messages, my attention fixed on the stream. The production value was impressive - three international judges, including Marlon Wright, the acclaimed designer, seated at their panel. The contestants' popularity rankings flashed across the screen: Nina and Evelyn leading with overwhelming support, while Serena and Olivia languished at the bottom.

"Miles," I called out, my jaw tightening at the flood of comments praising Nina. "How do I turn off these comments?"

"Right away, sir." Miles stepped forward, reaching across to adjust the settings. The stream cleared, leaving only the pure feed of the competition.

"Boss," Miles began, "I must say, I truly admire Ms. Sinclair's strategy."

I raised an eyebrow, inviting him to continue.

"Making it to the finals is one thing," he explained, taking a seat when I gestured. "But consistently maintaining the lowest ranking while advancing each round? That's brilliant. She's deliberately staying under the radar to avoid corporate interference."

My phone buzzed again. Drew: "Think Evelyn might throw a tantrum mid-show? 👀"

I set the phone face-down just as Serena stepped onto the stage. The lighting caught the subtle shimmer in her gown, but it was her quiet confidence that commanded attention. No flashy entrance like Nina's, no dramatic poses like Evelyn's - just pure, refined elegance.

"She's smarter than I gave her credit for," I murmured, watching as she took her position. The camera caught her subtle smirk.

Adrian nodded. "She's playing the long game. While everyone else fights for spotlight, she's building foundation."

Every gesture measured, every response carefully calibrated. I felt the corner of my mouth lift slightly. Serena continued to surprise me, and I was beginning to realize just how much I enjoyed that fact.

Nina's POV

I stood in the dressing room of the Battle of the Needle studio, running my fingers along the expensive fabric of my pre-prepared design sketches. Everything was perfect. I'd spent a fortune having an international designer create these concepts.

"Nina, the producers want us on set in five minutes," Olivia Warren, my new partner for the competition, poked her head through the door. Her anxious expression made me smile.

"Don't worry," I assured her, letting warmth seep into my voice. "Just remember what we practiced. We've got this." I caught my reflection in the mirror and adjusted my blazer. Perfect poise, perfect smile - exactly what the cameras would expect from a Sinclair.

The studio lights were blazing as we took our positions. I couldn't help but glance at Serena's station. My dear sister was examining the provided fabrics with that annoyingly serious expression she always wore. I suppressed a smirk.

"Welcome to the final round of Battle of the Needle!" The host's voice boomed through the studio. "Today's challenge: create an evening gown in thirty minutes using only the materials provided!"

Exactly as Evelyn had told me it would be. I felt a flutter of satisfaction - having friends in production certainly had its advantages.

"Your time starts... now!"

I moved with practiced confidence, selecting the exact materials I'd planned for. The other contestants scrambled around, but I maintained my composed pace. After all, I'd rehearsed these exact movements for the past week.

"Beautiful choice," I heard someone whisper as I pulled out the midnight blue silk. I acknowledged them with a gracious smile, though internally I was rolling my eyes. Of course it was beautiful - I'd had an expert plan every detail.

Twenty minutes in, my dress was taking shape exactly as planned. I could hear the audience's appreciative murmurs. From the corner of my eye, I noticed several judges nodding approvingly at my progress. Perfect.

"Time's up! Hands away from your creations!"

I stepped back, satisfied. My gown was finished first - another calculated move. The cameras loved efficiency. The audience erupted in applause as my model walked the runway, the midnight blue silk catching the light exactly as intended.

"Magnificent work from Nina Sinclair!" the host announced, and I allowed myself a modest smile, head tilted just so. This was my moment. I'd finally show everyone who the real fashion talent in Manhattan was.

Then I heard it - a collective gasp from the audience. My head snapped toward Serena's model, and I felt my carefully maintained smile freeze on my face.

She'd created a pure white gown that seemed to capture light itself. As Evelyn moved, the fabric rippled like starlight on water, each step releasing a cascade of subtle sparkles that made my own design look... ordinary.

"Impossible," I whispered, feeling the triumph drain from my body. "She couldn't have..."