[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-254":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},254,40,"Chapter 40: Who Can Treat Their Woman Better?","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s runway showcase. Thank you all for your unwavering support. We have ten designers presenting their vision alongside their models. Our panel of judges will score these pieces, and the top three will advance to tomorrow’s grand finale. Without further ado, let’s have our models grace the stage!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The showcase began.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number One: An off-the-shoulder, form-fitting mermaid gown in a soft sky blue. The diamonds encrusted along the bodice caught the light, creating a look of exquisite, high-end opulence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Two: A strapless design featuring a purple satin bodice transitioning into sheer tulle layers. It was ethereal, perfectly capturing a fairy-tale aesthetic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Three: A midnight-blue, spaghetti-strap mermaid gown accented with starlight sequins—playful, yet deeply mysterious.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Four: A vintage lace masterpiece featuring intricate beadwork, exuding a sense of stately, classic elegance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Five: A sheer, bubbly-sleeved design in a white-to-pink gradient, radiating youthful charm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Six: A dreamlike mermaid gown incorporating traditional cloud embroidery, as if the model were standing amidst ocean foam.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Seven: A layered blue-and-purple tulle creation that mimicked the iridescent shimmer of a seashell, romantic and refined.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Eight: A pearlescent strapless gown featuring delicate silver threading throughout. The hem transitioned from a dark, oceanic blue upward, creating an effect of being entangled in deep-sea kelp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Nine: A sleek, minimalist blue-and-white color-blocked mermaid dress. Sharp, clean, and professional.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Entry Number Ten: A shimmering silver strapless gown, adorned with circular sequins that mimicked the polished scales of a fish.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fantastic! All ten models have completed their walk. Judges, please submit your scores!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The audience and judges erupted into a flurry of debate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Number Two is lovely—so light and airy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I prefer Number One. She looks like a regal princess.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Number Eight has such a bold design, I’m leaning that way!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Number Five is quite charming as well.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room hummed with anticipation as everyone waited for the final tally.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, everyone, please quiet down! The scores are in. Let’s see if your favorites made the cut!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number One: 86 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Two: 84 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Three: 79 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Four: 82 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Five: 80 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Six: 90 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Seven: 88 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Eight: 94 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Nine: 92 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Entry Number Ten: 79 points!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And our finalists moving on to tomorrow’s main event are... Number Eight, Number Nine, and Number Six! A round of applause for our top three designers!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room thundered with applause. Marcellus Alexander raised a brow, a flicker of pride crossing his sharp features.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline’s design—truly unique, isn't it?\" Damian Spencer commented with genuine admiration.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course it is,\" Marcellus replied.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The host gestured toward the stage. \"We invite our three finalists up to explain their creative vision. Let’s hear it for them!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The designers joined their models under the spotlight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s start with our first-place designer, Number Eight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline Montgomery took the microphone, her poise effortless. \"Hello, everyone. My piece is titled 'Daybreak.' When people think of mermaids, they think of the fairy-tale princess. But the deep sea is dark, terrifying, and vast. Yet, living things always strive to escape the darkness and reach for the surface. This mermaid is fighting the suffocating grip of the abyss to find the light.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A roar of applause followed her words.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Stunning insight from our first-place designer! She has breathed a soul into her work through her own resilience. We expect great things from her in the future. Now, let’s hear from our second-place designer, Number Nine!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello, I’m Number Nine. I see the mermaid as a symbol of grace and beauty—someone who commands the ocean with absolute composure. I designed this gown to reflect that innate, regal confidence.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Excellent. She’s built a narrative of absolute professionalism! And finally, our third finalist, Number Six!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hi, I’m Number Six. If the mermaid princess lives in fairy tales, perhaps she is a divine being ruling the seas. That’s why I replaced the traditional tail with a wave-like hem.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Incredible imagination from all our finalists! Audience, who do you think will take the win? Join us tomorrow for the finale!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the event wrapped up and the crowd began to thin, Marcellus and Damian remained in their seats. Evangeline walked back to the dressing room with Remi Crawford, oblivious to a spiteful glare tracking her every move from the shadows.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When the two women finished removing their makeup and returned to the lobby, the ballroom was nearly empty. Evangeline trotted over to Marcellus, her chin tilted up playfully. \"Was I good, or was I good?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus reached out and flicked her nose with an indulgent smile. \"Fantastic. I knew you’d take the top spot.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hehe...\" Evangeline hooked her arm through his, looking like the picture of affectionate submission.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Unnoticed, a camera shutter clicked rapidly from a nearby corner.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, are you exhausted?\" Damian asked, reaching out to take her bag.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I am a little,\" she sighed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Without a word of warning, Damian scooped her up into his arms. Remi gasped, her hands reflexively circling his neck. \"What are you doing?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You said you were tired. I’m carrying you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline blinked in shock. Dr. Spencer was moving fast—he was surprisingly bold!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing Evangeline stare at the pair, Marcellus assumed she was envious. He didn’t wait a second before sweeping her off her feet as well. He wouldn't let his Evangeline have a single thing to be jealous of.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Gosh, you two are such show-offs!\" Evangeline teased.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Only then did Marcellus notice the lingering onlookers staring at the two couples. He didn't care. \"I’m carrying my own wife. Who cares who’s looking?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't that their behavior was \"weird\"; it was simply that the four of them were so effortlessly striking, they drew eyes wherever they went.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, let's head out,\" Marcellus said, carrying Evangeline toward the car.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian felt a pang of envy, watching them. *When will I be able to carry Remi home?* His expression soured instantly at the thought.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait—we're just going home? I’m starving!\" Evangeline whined.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian’s mood swung back to life. \"Exactly! Let’s get dinner. My treat!\" He hadn't spent enough time with Remi lately. He had to seize every opportunity to build some momentum.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I want steak!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Me too!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two women turned to their men, acting as if they were asking for permission, though both knew the answer would be a resounding yes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They found a quiet steakhouse. At the table, Marcellus began cutting Evangeline’s steak, and Damian immediately followed suit. The two men glared at each other, locked in a silent competition over who could treat their woman better.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline and Remi shared an exasperated look.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272912511]