"Hello, beautiful ladies, I'm Elle. Do you have any questions for me? Don't judge me based on my age, okay? If you don't believe me, I can prove myself!"
Elle wasn't nervous at all; her blue eyes were exceptionally clear.
Despite being small, when her brother was around, she was obediently reliant on him. But when he wasn't, she could bravely protect herself.
Bianca was momentarily stunned. Despite having a highly intelligent nephew at home, she couldn't immediately accept that the child in front of her, Elle, was equally impressive.
After some thought, she tested, "Child, could you briefly explain the concept behind your design this time?"
"Of course!" Elle confidently nodded her little head, and her soft hands pulled out a tablet from her backpack.
She opened the software and began to articulate her thoughts clearly, "My design this time is themed around flowers, particularly focusing on snowflakes, which my mommy loves the most. Each piece of clothing is adorned with snowflake elements..."
The little one spoke clearly, quickly conveying her ideas.
With a warm and creative design concept, coupled with concise and powerful words, even many famous designers couldn't achieve what she did.
"Lying is not right, these are all things your mom taught you, right?"
The commotion here quickly drew the attention of other contestants, and someone immediately raised doubts aloud.
It had been rumored that the champion of this competition might be a designer named Elle, but no one expected Elle to be so young.
Many couldn't accept that they had worked so hard only to compete with a little child.
And they might even lose to her.
Elle innocently tilted her head and said cunningly, "Ladies and Gentleman, if I prove that my mom didn't teach me, would you all quit the designer industry forever?"
Everyone was taken aback by the child's swift response.
Elle proudly continued, "Although you are a bit timid, I-Elle, still doesn't like being doubted!"
After saying this, she didn't give anyone a chance to speak again, confidently grabbing a pen and swiftly drawing a sketch on the tablet, then boldly laying it out in front of everyone.
The new design on the screen had smooth lines and was full of spirituality.
For a child to draw effortlessly without any guidance, even if it was a previously drawn design, it would be impossible without a certain level of skill.
Elle proved herself with her strength!
Just as harsh as everyone's words had been earlier, now the atmosphere was equally awkward.
Bianca was always fair-minded. Since the examination was over with no issues, she naturally wouldn't make things difficult.
Moreover, she inexplicably liked the little girl in front of her. She felt that the child's attitude, using strength to face challenges without being arrogant, was very much in line with the spirit of the Carter family.
She instantly smiled, reversing her previous attitude of avoiding the child, and gave Elle a thumbs up, "Elle, you're amazing!"
"Thank you, sister!" Elle flashed her white teeth and smiled obediently.
"Your words are so sweet! I like it." The more Bianca looked at Elle, the more she liked her, almost wanting to hug her and give her a kiss.
Jessie took the opportunity to bump her arm and proudly said, "This is one of the little darlings I just saw in the hotel lobby. What do you think? Isn't she adorable?"
"Adorable!" Bianca nodded generously.
"Elle, we'll chat later." The banquet was about to officially enter the award presentation process, and Bianca reluctantly reminded, stepping away in her high heels.
Elle blinked her big eyes and obediently nodded. She happened to see her brother, Christian, returning, and she happily waved her little hand.
"No one bullied you, right?" Christian walked back and noticed that people were occasionally glancing at them, immediately asking protectively.
"No, I just met a beautiful sister. I'll introduce you to her after the awards ceremony!" Elle sat obediently, shaking her head.
Seeing Elle's bright smile, Christian didn't think she was being bullied and temporarily put aside his doubts.
Next, the winners were announced, and as expected, Elle won the first prize without any suspense.
Following her mom's principle of education--always stay modest, before going on stage to receive the award, Elle put on the mask she had prepared in advance.
The little one wore a pink candy mask, holding a golden trophy taller than her, and with the help of the etiquette lady, she swayed down from the stage.
Christian, who had been waiting eagerly, went up to her.
He helped take the trophy and rubbed Elle's rosy cheeks, not sparing any praise, "Elle, you're amazing!"
"You're amazing too, Chris!" Elle smiled sweetly at him.
Bianca, who was still on stage as the award presenter, was stunned by this friendly scene.
The more she looked, the more familiar Christian's figure seemed. Unable to wait until the end of the awards, she hurriedly stepped down from the stage.
Bianca came to Christian's side, carefully examining his appearance, and took in a sharp breath.
"Chris, what are you doing here? And why are you wearing girls' clothes?"
"Do you know me, Miss?" Christian tilted his head in confusion.
"'What do you think?" Bianca breathed a sigh of relief, reluctantly digesting the fact that her nephew was cross-dressing.
"I have no idea!" Christian fake smiled.
He discreetly squeezed Eleanor's hand and said, "I came with my sister to attend the awards ceremony. We're familiar with the organizers here!"
The implication was that if someone wanted to mess with them, they should think twice.
Bianca rolled her eyes. How could they not be familiar? The entire Ritz Hotel belonged to the Carter family.
No wonder he was cross-dressing; it turned out he came with Elle.
He gained a little sister, and she, as his aunt, didn't even know?
Perhaps it's not a sister, but a girlfriend.
Bianca narrowed her eyes. While it's good for her nephew, who has mild autism, to make more friends, she couldn't be biased.
Every time, he was sharp-tongued and cold-faced with her, but acted cute and lively with his girlfriend.
But...
Bianca sighed internally, feeling perplexed. Suddenly, her gaze paused, and she furrowed her brows, "Chris, has the rash on your face cleared up?"
Christian avoided Bianca's reaching hand, blinking his large black grape-like eyes warily, "Pretty lady, when did I have a rash on my face? I don't know you!"
Don't know her? Trying to distance himself from his girlfriend during their date? Is he annoyed by her presence?
Bianca sneered inwardly with ill intentions, refusing to relent. This time, she finally grabbed Christian's wrist.
Pretending to be distressed, she said, "Chris, how can you not recognize your aunt? You were supposed to go on a business trip with dad today, remember? Auntie will take you back now!"
With his hand caught, Christian's eyes flashed like black grapes, devising a plan within a plan, pitifully saying, "Auntie, I sneaked out. Please don't tell dad. I'll go back with you. Please let me talk to my sister for a moment."
Bianca was stunned. She thought it would take a lot of effort to control her nephew, but unexpectedly, he compromised so easily, despite his usual stubbornness.
Is it because of his 'girlfriend'?
"Okay!" Bianca shifted her gaze back from Eleanor to Christian, releasing his hand readily.
She crossed her arms and squinted calculatingly.
This little brat has often annoyed her and, considering his condition, she always had to swallow her anger.
Taking advantage of this opportunity today, she'll let this little brat thoroughly understand her prowess.
Christian's lively eyes glanced around, and as soon as he gained freedom, he turned back and winked at Eleanor.
The siblings' long-term companionship made Eleanor quickly understand his meaning.
Eleanor nodded imperceptibly.
After the two children exchanged a secret signal, Christian suddenly turned around and pushed Bianca, shouting loudly, "Help, help, someone is kidnapping children!"
Bianca, caught off guard, stumbled.
At the same time as Christian's voice sounded, everyone in the banquet hall rushed over and quickly surrounded Bianca, who hadn't yet figured out what was happening.
Christian took Eleanor's hand and ran out of the hotel amidst the chaos, secretly hiding behind a flower bed.
Christian, breathing heavily, rubbed Eleanor's back affectionately while vigilantly observing the hotel entrance. When no one followed them for a long time, he breathed a sigh of relief.
His face was full of pride as he quipped, "That scammer just now was so amateurish. She even wanted to impersonate our aunt! Doesn't she know that we don't even have a dad, let alone an aunt! Foolish!"
Eleanor's face turned red from the excitement, like a ripe tomato.
She nodded in agreement, "Chris, you are really clever. I almost thought she was a good person just now. She said she wanted to chat with me after the awards ceremony, but luckily you saw through her tricks first."
***