10. The Crown Challenge 

Our eyes met.

It lasted less than a second. 

That was all. 

I continued walking, and the noise inside the conference hall resumed, drowning Aiden’s voice.

After the summit ended,

I sat in the backseat of the Maybach, slightly rubbing my forehead.

Then my phone rang.

Staring at the displayed name on the screen, an inexplicable feeling almost took over me… almost.

Grandpa.

Had he ever called me personally before?

“I watched the summit, Annalise.” Grandpa cleared his throat. 

I remained silent, placing the phone to my ear.

“Your delivery was acceptable,” he added.

Then a brief silence followed.

“I have already arranged for you to attend the Global Economic Forum next month. You’ll be speaking there as well.”

My brows knitted together. “I didn’t agree to that.”

“You don’t need to.” His tone remained calm. “You handled today’s summit. That means you’re capable of handling something bigger.”

“Grandpa—“

“Three months,” he interrupted. “Since you’re determined to waste three months before running away again, at least make yourself useful.”

“The forum gathers government officials, investors, and business leaders from across the continent. If you intend to sit in that chair for the next three months, then make use of it.” 

My grip tightened around the phone.

Right.

The old man had always been after benefits. 

It wasn’t like things would miraculously change.

“Besides,” he added. “You didn’t come home last night. I heard that you are staying at one of the family estates. Is that the proper thing to do as a daughter of the Sterling family?”

“Grandpa,” I replied, keeping my voice calm. “I’m fine there. I’ve already decided to stay at Nightfall Avenue. I hope you can respect that.” 

“Hmph! Whatever.” He grumbled. “Just don’t do anything that can spoil the family’s image.”

After ending the call, 

I dropped my phone and picked up the tablet beside me.

A notification flashed across the screen.

[Dreamers Official Announcement.]

My fingers paused.

Curious, I tapped it open.

The announcement immediately occupied the entire screen.

[The World Designers Council has officially opened registration for the Crown Collection Challenge.]

[Theme: Rebirth.]

[Only one designer will receive the title of Crown Designer.]

My gaze lingered on the title.

The Crown Collection Challenge.

The competition only appeared once every fifteen years.

It wasn’t organized by Dreamers.

Dreamers was merely one of the official qualification platforms.

The true organizers were the most influential fashion councils and luxury houses in the world.

The winner would earn something far more valuable than money.

The right to establish an independent luxury brand under the protection and endorsement of the World Designers Council,

A privilege many designers spent their entire careers chasing.

Below the announcement, thousands of comments flooded the forum.

“No way. They actually brought back the Crown Challenge.”

“The last winner became one of the youngest creative directors in history.”

“This year’s theme is Rebirth? That’s brutal.”

“Brutal? It’s practically impossible.”

“The judges are monsters. Last time they eliminated ninety percent of contestants in the first round.”

“Even some established designers avoid this competition.”

“I heard several world-famous fashion houses are sending representatives.”

“This isn’t a competition. It’s a battlefield.”

Then another comment caught my eye.

“Forget the competition. The real question is whether Designer X will participate.”

The replies beneath it multiplied almost instantly.

“I was waiting for someone to say it.”

“Honestly? If I were Designer X, I wouldn’t join.”

“Why?”

“Because legends are easier to maintain than victories.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it? Think about it. Designer X disappeared at the peak of her career. Nobody knows how much she’s improved, or if she’s improved at all.”

“Three years isn’t a short time.”

“And the Crown Challenge isn’t some local competition.”

“Exactly. Half the contestants will be people who’ve spent years preparing specifically for this.”

“If Designer X joins and loses, the myth disappears.”

“If she wins, she’ll become a legend.”

“She already is one.”

“No. She’s a legend on Dreamers.”

“The Crown Challenge is where legends get tested.”

I stared at the screen.

The comments continued pouring in.

Some believed I would participate.

Some believed I wouldn’t dare.

Others were already debating whether Designer X deserved her reputation.

Slowly, I scrolled back to the announcement.

[Theme: Rebirth.]

A small smile tugged at my lips, the word lingering in my mind.

And for the first time in three years… I found myself opening a blank sketchpad.