Isabelle, eager to provoke me further, laughed dismissively. "Oh please, everyone knows Ethan made sure Victoria won!"
Victoria's face paled dramatically. She grabbed Isabelle's arm, her fingers digging in hard enough to leave marks.
"Isabelle, stop—" Victoria hissed urgently.
But Isabelle was too caught up in her malicious enjoyment to notice Victoria's panic. She continued gleefully, oblivious to the damage she was doing.
"He practically ordered the judges to give her first place! He told them specifically that Victoria's design was to be awarded first place, regardless of what anyone else submitted."
Victoria's expression transformed into pure horror. Her eyes darted around frantically, checking if anyone important had overheard.
"Isabelle!" Victoria whispered fiercely. Her finger
