章 62: Ascend Global Fashion Contest

I ran my hands over the smooth fabric of my sketchbook cover, tracing the embossed initials like they held some kind of calming magic. Today was the day—the first round of the Ascend Global Fashion Contest. Months of preparation, sleepless nights, and endless doubt had led to this moment. My heart was pounding so loudly it drowned out the steady hum of morning traffic outside my window.

I can do this. I reminded myself, gripping the book tightly. The thought was a mantra, one I had been whispering to myself for weeks. Today wasn't just about sketches or designs—it was about proving that I wasn't just a pawn in someone else's game. I was Freya, a designer in her own right, with the talent and ambition to reshape her future.

But as I zipped up my bag, preparing to head out, the sharp buzz of my doorbell jolted me. I froze mid-step. Who would come this early, and why now?