Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

At such a young age, pulling off such creative designs was truly impressive, and it had definitely caused quite the buzz online.

"These designers are really something this year. I heard the one who snagged second place is a high schooler from Westbrook High School."

"A high schooler? Seriously? What could a teenager possibly come up with?"

"Her antique hairpin design is said to be breathtaking—even the judges at the Designer Competition couldn't stop raving about it."

Fiona stared at the design draft on the TV screen. The technique wasn't hers, but the style was uncanny-nearly a perfect match, just differing in skill and detail.

How did this person get their hands on her design draft?!

Fiona was momentarily at a loss.

Jackson walked in, noticed her fixated on the TV, and chuckled as he joined her. "Fiona, thinking about entering the competition yourself?"

Fiona shook her head. She wasn't interested in the big-name design contests, but someone using her design draft? That needed investigating.

"Fiona, we can head home now," Nash's mom said with a smile, walking into the hospital room. Just then, the TV was showcasing the antique hairpin design, and she asked, perplexed, "Fiona, isn't this just like the design draft you gave me? Could it be that mysterious person you mentioned?"

Fiona stayed silent, getting ready to leave with Jackson.

Nash's mom stood there, puzzled. "The design you gave me was so intricate and stunning. This one seems a bit sloppy. Maybe it's an early draft?”

"Aunt, we should get moving," Fiona gently nudged.

She didn't utter a word about the design draft.

Fiona wasn't keen on heading to the Woods' place, so Jackson made sure she got back to her dorm safely. Seeing her settled on her bed, he felt easy enough to leave.

"Get some rest. There's chicken soup in the thermos; have some for lunch. I'll swing by to take you out for dinner tonight."

Maybe after that night at the

Woods', Jackson's fondness for ber had grown beyond just brotherly

care. His feelings were quietly evolving, and Fiona felt the same, though neither spoke of it.

Once Jackson left, Fiona got up, retrieved a box from the top bunk, and opened it to find it empty.

This was where she kept her design drafts. Looks like someone had broken into her dorm.

A sly smile crept onto her face. She had a pretty good idea who might have donenoveldrama

it.

She popped open her laptop and quickly traced the submission's IP address. It

was from a brand-new Banana 20 phone, and the user? Yvenne.

Fiona didn't say more, just put the box back and reviewed the Designer Competition rules. The first-place winner would bag a cool five million bucks and the title of gold medal designer, granting them a direct line into one of the top ten companies.

Yvenne was certainly ambitious. Fiona let out a cold chuckle-stealing her work,

Yvenne was definitely something.

But Yvenne had hidden her tracks

well, only mentioning she was studying at Westbrook High. She hadn't spilled any other details, and contestants didn't need to use their real names until the final three.