Chapter 158

Christina's POV The call came while I was setting up my workstation for the day. I'd just enjoyed breakfast at Ysolde's shop before heading to my studio to prepare for a productive session. My heart leapt when my phone rang. This could be the news I'd been waiting for. "Ms. Vance, this is Nathan Liddickot from the Aureate Award Committee." "Good morning," I replied, trying to contain my excitement. I'd passed the preliminary round as an independent designer and assumed he was calling to confirm details for the next phase of competition. "We regret to inform you that you've been disqualified from the competition." "Excuse me?" I sat up straight, gripping the phone tighter. "Could you repeat that?" He did. "Why? Is there an issue with my submission? I can—" "Your design work isn't the problem," he stated, his tone stiff with discomfort. "Someone filed a complaint against you." "About what, exactly?" "There are numerous negative comments online about your studio. You've been accused of tu