After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 175: Stunning Again

As this was the grand finale, the contestants would no longer appear on stage in pairs.

Instead, they would go on stage one by one to showcase their formal gowns, with the judges scoring each in turn.

The live audience members each had three votes, which they could cast for their three favorite contestants.

After all ten contestants had taken their turns, the total scores—a combination of the judges’ ratings and the audience’s votes—would be announced.

The six contestants with the highest total scores would advance to the next round, while the bottom four would be eliminated immediately.

From those six, the top three would be determined.

A final showdown among the top three would decide the champion, runner-up, and third-place winner.

However, even the four contestants eliminated in the first round had a chance to return to the stage and win the "Most Popular" award.

This was because the live audience would have one last opportunity to vote.

For the "Most Popular" award selection, the contestants would showcase their designs one more time.

The audience would vote for their favorite, and the contestant with the most votes would receive the "Most Popular" award.

Therefore, winning the "Most Popular" award was separate from placing as champion, runner-up, or third.

Even if a contestant didn’t make it into the top three, they still had a chance to vie for the "Most Popular" award.

Furthermore, the winner of the "Most Popular" award would not only receive a handsome cash prize.

They would also, just like the top three winners, be offered a contract with CZ Group’s newly established design firm.

This was set to be the ultimate showdown.

Everyone would have to bring their A-game and fight with all they had for one of those four precious spots.

The theme for the day was formal gowns, with each contestant having designed four outfits.

This was because the contestants who made it to the top three would also have to showcase an outfit during the fourth round for the "Most Popular" award.

The category of formal gowns was broad, encompassing not only traditional Veridian styles, such as wedding attire...

...but also Western styles like wedding dresses, evening gowns, and so on.

Claire Mercer had a love for Veridian tradition etched into her very soul.

Therefore, she designed a traditional Veridian wedding ensemble, a Western-style wedding dress, an evening gown, and a cocktail dress.

The order in which the contestants would appear on stage was determined by a live drawing of lots.

Seeing the performance order they had drawn, Stella Thorne sighed.

"Claire, your luck is the worst! How did you end up going first?"

Claire Mercer just smiled, unconcerned about what number she had drawn.

"We have to go on stage sooner or later. Besides, going first has its advantages."

"It’s easy for you to be unconcerned, but I’m the one who has to go out there first," Stella Thorne said, her face a mask of misery.

"There’s no extra time to get ready. It’s making me so nervous."

This was the grand finale, after all; there was no room for carelessness.

The slightest slip-up could affect the rest of the competition.

Even though she had been on stage countless times, she still felt nervous today.

Far more nervous than any time before.

After all, this competition would determine whether Claire could establish her own brand and studio.

’This isn’t just a competition for me; it’s a daunting ordeal.’

Claire Mercer knew Stella Thorne was bound to be nervous about today’s competition.

Even her own heart was beating a little erratically.

But she couldn’t let her own anxiety show, or it would only make Stella even more nervous.

She reached out to smooth Stella Thorne’s hair and spoke to her softly.

"Stella, stay confident and keep a calm state of mind."

"Don’t think of this as a competition. Think of it as your own personal stage."

"All those judges and audience members out there are your fans."

"They all came here for you. They came to see *you*. No matter what happens, your fans will love you."

"You need to show your confidence when you’re in front of your fans."

"Besides, you’ve performed exceptionally well in every round so far."

"Today will be no exception. You will still be the brightest star on that stage, just like your name implies."

Just as Claire had hoped, the praise eased Stella Thorne’s nerves.

She teased her with a playful pout, "You’re the one who should be a lawyer with a mouth like that. You’re so silver-tongued."

"You had me so convinced I completely forgot to be nervous."

"That’s the spirit." Seeing her relaxed demeanor, Claire Mercer finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Forget this is a competition. Just treat it like your own personal runway show."

"I know, I know, my brilliant designer. This star is feeling super confident now."

Then, her eyes fell on a radiant Scarlett Jewel, and she pursed her lips in disdain.

"But that rotten apple Scarlett Jewel has some real dumb luck. She actually drew the sixth slot."

Going sixth not only provided more time to prepare...

...but it was also a prime spot before the audience started to feel fatigued.

That’s why many contestants hoped to draw a number in the middle of the lineup.

So when Scarlett Jewel saw her spot in the lineup, she, too, breathed a sigh of relief.

The thought of seeing Claire Mercer knocked off her pedestal today made her even more delighted.

She walked with a spring in her step, unable to hide the smug look on her face.

Joel Jennings had also made it to the national finals.

His performance slot was right after Scarlett Jewel’s; he would be going seventh.

Moreover, their individual dressing rooms were adjacent to each other.

On their way back to their dressing rooms after the drawing...

...the two of them glanced around furtively, like a pair of thieves.

They saw that the other contestants had all returned to their dressing rooms for pre-show preparations, leaving the hallway empty.

They immediately huddled together, whispering and plotting in secret.

Lily Dalton, on her way back from the restroom, saw the two of them huddled by a doorway, whispering conspiratorially.

’She had a bad feeling they were up to no good.’

She quietly took out her phone and snapped a photo of them plotting with their heads bowed together.

Then, feigning nonchalance, she continued walking toward Scarlett Jewel’s dressing room.

Soon, the competition officially began.

Claire Mercer led Stella Thorne to the backstage waiting area, ready to go on at a moment’s notice.

For the first round, she was showcasing a pure white wedding gown.

Its off-the-shoulder design perfectly revealed Stella Thorne’s graceful neck and shoulders, her delicate yet sensual collarbones, and the smooth curve of her shoulders.

The cinched design accentuated her slender waist, making it look so narrow one could encircle it with a single hand.

Delicate hibiscus flowers, outlined in lace, adorned the floor-length, voluminous skirt.

Claire Mercer had masterfully blended traditional Veridian elements with Western style, creating a look that was both elegant and regal.

The magnificent train seemed to be sprinkled with layers of starlight.

With every step Stella Thorne took, the starlight on the train shimmered and gleamed, following her every move.

Her exquisite face, half-hidden beneath a pure white veil, was a picture of mysterious and ethereal beauty.

She looked as if she were walking on stardust, her every unhurried movement speaking of her nobility and grace.

When the judges saw the wedding dress, their eyes went wide.

Expressions of approval and astonishment appeared on nearly every judge’s face.

They could hardly imagine that such a gown could have been created by a mere contestant.