The day of submission arrived faster than expected.
Too fast.
Alicia stood in her studio, staring at the final design laid out before her.
Perfect.
Or at least… as perfect as she could make it.
"Stop staring at it," Sophie said, arms crossed.
"I'm not staring," Alicia replied.
"You've been staring for ten minutes."
Adrian leaned against the wall, watching quietly.
"If you keep second-guessing, you won't submit it."
Alicia exhaled.
"I'm submitting it."
Across the room, Maria carefully folded the fabric, while Lina prepared the packaging with precision.
James stood near the door, overseeing everything like it was a formal operation.
"Everything is ready, Miss Alicia," he said.
Alicia nodded.
"Then… let's do it."
In the study
Daniel stood beside Michael, eyes fixed on multiple screens.
"She's submitting now," he said.
Michael didn't respond immediately.
But his attention was fully there.
"Anything unusual?" Michael asked.
Daniel paused.
"…There was another attempt earlier."
Michael's gaze sharpened.
"Explain."
"Someone tried to access the submission portal again," Daniel said.
"This time more aggressive."
A brief silence.
Then
"Were they blocked?"
"Yes."
"But they're getting closer," Daniel added.
Michael's expression darkened.
"Find them."
"I'm already trying."
Back in the studio
Alicia pressed the final confirmation button.
Her breath caught.
And just like that…
It was done.
"I did it," she whispered.
Sophie immediately pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you!"
Adrian stepped closer, a rare softness in his expression.
"This is only the beginning," he said.
Alicia smiled.
For the first time…
She truly believed that.
Hours later
The mansion settled into evening.
Calm. Quiet.
Too quiet.
Alicia stepped out onto the balcony, needing air.
The city lights stretched endlessly before her.
She leaned against the railing, closing her eyes briefly.
"You shouldn't be alone."
Her eyes opened.
Michael stood behind her.
She turned slightly.
"You said that before."
"And I meant it."
A pause.
Then she asked
"Why?"
Michael didn't answer immediately.
His gaze moved past her…
Scanning the distance.
"Because not everything is as safe as it looks," he said finally.
Before Alicia could respond
A loud notification sound came from inside.
Daniel's voice followed immediately.
"Michael!"
Both of them turned.
Inside the study
Daniel's screen flashed with alerts.
"They got in," he said.
Michael's expression hardened instantly.
"How?"
"They bypassed one of the security layers."
Alicia stepped closer, confusion rising.
"What's happening?"
Daniel hesitated.
Then said
"Someone accessed the competition system."
Alicia's heart dropped.
"My submission…"
Daniel nodded slowly.
"It's been viewed."
Silence.
Heavy.
Michael's jaw tightened.
"Trace it."
"I'm trying."
Alicia felt a chill run through her.
"This isn't normal, is it?"
No one answered immediately.
Across the room, Sophie's expression shifted from excitement to concern.
Adrian stepped slightly in front of her, instinctively protective.
"This isn't random," Adrian said quietly.
Michael didn't look away from the screen.
"No. It's not."
Outside the gates
The enemy lowered their phone slowly.
A satisfied smile forming.
"Let's see how strong you really are," they murmured.
Inside the mansion
The atmosphere had changed completely.
This wasn't just a competition anymore.
It was becoming a battlefield.