Chapter 76: Bonds Shattered, Bridges Built

The Last Day Before the Final Round

The empty studio echoed with the sound of my shoes tapping against the polished floor as I set my sketchpad down on the table. The room smelled faintly of fabric dye and wood polish, a strangely comforting mix that reminded me of late nights spent working on designs. Maeve leaned against the far wall, scrolling through her phone with an air of boredom. Tatiana sat in a chair near the window, legs crossed elegantly, absently chewing on a piece of gum.

"Alright," I began, pulling my sketchpad open to the page where I'd painstakingly worked on my design the night before. "This is what I've come up with."

I held it up for them to see.

Maeve glanced up briefly, arching an eyebrow. "That's it?"

Tatiana snorted, twirling a strand of her glossy blonde hair around her finger. "I thought you'd bring something more… impressive."

My jaw tightened. I wasn't sure why I'd expected anything else.