Lahat ng Kabanata ng Read My Mind, Pay the Price: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

"Could you explain what's going on here, Clara?" The judge's stern voice rang in my ears. I, Clara Gardner, snapped back to reality and scanned the entire venue. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms tightly around my chest because just a second ago, that wretched old man had tortured me to death.My fiance, Caleb Fairchild, demanded, "Well, what are you waiting for? Say something! What's with that posture? Are you afraid? You're representing my company as the chief designer, and this is how you embarrass me?" That was when it hit me. I had been reborn. The very next second, my half-sister, Sophie Gardner, smiled sweetly and linked her arm through mine. "I know you don't want to admit that your younger sister is better than you, Clara. It's honestly my fault as well. I shouldn't have stolen your spotlight."Why don't we do this instead? Let's both explain our design concepts. If yours sounds better than mine, I'll admit I plagiarized your work. Deal?"Before I could respond, she pi

Soon, two easels were set up on the stage, and we stood facing each other.The same thing happened again. I deliberately drew at snail speed and even made several mistakes. Halfway through, I stopped drawing and looked up to study Sophie's expression. To my surprise, she stood up again and handed in her work. "I'm done."Her hand-drawn piece was slightly different from what I had put on paper, yet it matched exactly what I had envisioned in my mind."This piece is shaped like a lighthouse, with a dazzling diamond set at the top. It tells a story about my best friend and me. I was once stranded at a harbor in an unfamiliar city. My phone had no signal, and it was raining cats and dogs."The light from a distant lighthouse cut through the storm and guided me to shelter. Later, I found out my best friend had stayed up all night at her computer, using satellite tracking to locate me. Then, she contacted the harbor manager and had the lighthouse turned on just for me."My heart sank.

I asked someone for a pen and paper and personally wrote two statements before signing them. The first was a declaration to terminate the engagement. When I handed it to Caleb, he shot me a disdainful look, signed it without hesitation, and turned to Olivia. "My engagement's been called off, Grandma. Can I marry Sophie now?"To my surprise, Olivia's gaze hardened. "Let's discuss this another time." That caught everyone on the stage off guard, including my father.The second document was a declaration to cut all ties between us, and I handed it to my father. He hesitated and refused to take it. "After all these years I raised you, this is how you repay me, you ungrateful brat?"I was well aware of what he was afraid of. If Sophie failed to secure Caleb, I could still serve as a backup.Just then, Caleb urged, "Sign it, Mr. Gardner. A daughter who lies through her teeth and does nothing but harm others isn't worth keeping around. "Besides, you still have Sophie. Once Sophie a

That evening, Ivy helped me look into what had happened in the finals.Millie Brown had suddenly fallen ill, and the design they turned in was extremely rough. Sophie's design, on the other hand, won the gold award outright.I took one look at her design and recognized the style. It looked a lot like something my senior, Hugo Merritt, would create.Hence, I called him right away. I didn't believe for a second that Hugo would ever be bought off. He came from a long line of emerald craftsmen and had never been short on money.He picked up the phone with a hearty laugh. "Well, what do you think, Cleo? My design's pretty solid, right? I'd say it's more than enough to get you first place.""I never asked you for a design, Hugo. Besides, I withdrew from that competition yesterday.""What? That can't be right. Your sister came to me in person. She said you weren't feeling well and couldn't draw, but this competition meant a lot to you. So, she asked me to help behind your back. "I fig

Just then, a clear, easygoing voice sounded from the doorway of the conference room. Hugo walked in with a grin, with rosary beads looped around his hand. "You flatter me; you really do! I didn't help Clara with this set at all. However, Sophie's award-winning design was completely drawn by me."Sophie was dumbstruck. Her whole body trembled as she snarled, "Bullshit! I designed it!"Hugo chuckled and placed a lawyer's letter in front of her. "Oh, is that so? We'll let the judge decide then. I've already filed a lawsuit against you."Caleb still chose to believe Sophie. Pointing right at my nose, he bellowed, "You did this on purpose, didn't you? You deliberately found someone to frame Sophie. Can't you stop clinging to me like the simp you are? I will never, ever fall in love with you again!"Olivia slapped him hard across the face. "I worked on this design proposal with Clara for two whole weeks! It's 100% hers. Have you lost your mind, Caleb?"Just then, Ivy and Sage walked in.