Chapter 507: Judge 3
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Hearing Ye Li e s words, Ye Lengan laughed as if having heard some joke. “This is truly the most hilarious joke I’ve heard in my life. Mr. Ye, I believe you haven’t grasped something vital. This competition was organized by our Neo Fashion Company. Now, with Neo Fashion acknowledging my qualifications to judge, by what right do you question our decision? Or do you feel capable of deciding things for our company instead?”
“l didn’t…” Ye Leng’an’s speech left Ye Li t s complexion oscillating between white and green. “l only… only…”
“Everyone else lacks objections, so why are you so opinionated?” Ye Lengan interjected bluntly. “If having me on the panel strikes you as unfair, feel free to withdraw from the competition.”
“What?” For an instant, Ye Li appeared caught between a rock and a hard place.
“In any case, I’m judging and no other has qualms but you, so why don’t you simply quit to resolve things?” Ye Lengan quirked a brow, continuing, “Or does withdrawing me as judge require catering to your perspective? If so, as soon as the first place is decided, anyone feeling unjustly defeated can step forth and proclaim it due to biased judging. Shall we hold the contest anew then?”
Rendered without rebuttal, Ye Li also sensed his present situation rather precarious, truly stuck between Scylla and Charybdis now.
Quitting the competition was out of the question. He dared to say that if he withdrew, negative news about the Ye family would undoubtedly spread like wildfire tomorrow. However, in the current situation, he couldn’t step down either.
“Sorry, my father simply cares too deeply for this competition, thus raising such reasonable doubts,” Ye Xiyuan stood explaining to the crowd with a bow. “He held no intention of targeting anyone specifically, merely wishing to ensure fairness here. After all, we’ve undertaken ample preparations for today.”
Her statements instantly warmed public opinion towards Ye Li and their family again. Truthfully seeing Ye Lengan earlier had birthed some confusion in their own minds, but learning she was a Neo Fashion executive they’d held tongues.
“I’m not interested in your thought,” Ye Lengan went on. “My presence as judge naturally stems from my own reasons. My attendance was by Neo Fashion’s decision – any with questions may abstain from competing, others included.’
As she spoke Ye Lengan glanced about. All averted their gaze, not one wishing to withdraw from this long-awaited opportunity.
Who’d give up partnership prospects with the prestigious Neo Fashion over something so trivial? Moreover, the assembly of all these fashion luminaries as judges demonstrated Neo Fashion’s clout.
This chance at collaboration was what they had been hoping for – now fortuitously obtained, who would relinquish it? No matter the judge, even a child failed to faze them.
Because Neo Fashion organized this, the choice of judges fell beyond their contestant scope. Thankfully none had been foolish enough to openly challenge the company’s decision, otherwise, public humiliation would have been theirs today.
Inwardly fuming, Ye Li sat in taciturn dissatisfaction. Still, his concerns remained. “Xiyuan, do you think Ye Lengan might sabotage you?”
This worried him most – given the discordant relations between them, especially with Xiyuan, wasn’t her judging tantamount to securing Xiyuan’s defeat?
“Don’t overthink, Father,” Ye Xiyuan breathed deeply before responding. “Though I’ve no clue why Neo Fashion appointed Ye Lengan judge, the deed is done and can’t be undone now. Moreover, you must have faith in me. If my work proves outstanding enough, Ye Lengan or not, my victory shall be certain. Even if she aims to undermine me she wouldn’t dare act overtly – that would only incite resentment..”