“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 171

**Chapter 43: The world’s most talented designers.**

The time was now 2pm as guests from all over the world made their way into the grand conference room. Eager to see what new and creative designs would be displayed, companies from all over made their way to House Delgato’s competition. Even if they couldn’t snag the winner of tonight’s competition; they could at least hire the runner ups. The four regions’ top family houses, various organizations, cooperations, etc. Everyone who was anyone purchased a ticket for tonight’s competition! There was special seating reserved for the competitors as well as their families. Ten different designers made it to the actual competition out of hundreds of applicants. Each vying for a chance to become the top architectural designer for House Delgato. As the Taylors made their way to their section, Vanessa couldn't help but feel a smug justification.

*‘You’ll see tonight father! Once I win this competition….you’ll see. I’m the ONLY heiress and I was worth sacrificing your precious Josie!!!’*

Laura grabbed Vanessa’s hands breaking her inner thoughts.

*“Oh Nessie! I’m so proud you my beautiful daughter. I always knew you were my special angel.”*

Vanessa smiled brightly at her mother as her inner thoughts began swarm in her mind about the night after the board meeting.

After Harold left the conference room, Jamie looked over at Vanessa. He knew those last words hit her harder than anything else. Walking towards her with caution, he placed his hand on her shoulder.

*“Are you okay Nes-”*

*“Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be!”*

Vanessa’s eyes looked erratic as the tears pooled down her cheeks. Harold’s words had truly cut her deep. Jamie sighed and hugged his sister. He wasn’t sure anymore if any of the family members made the right decisions regarding Josie or Vanessa, but what he did know, was that it was too late to turn back now.

*“You don’t have to act tough around me Vanessa. I of all people know who you really are.”*

Vanessa began to sob as she hugged her brother tightly. Every terrible thing she’d ever done over these past eight years was so that she secured her future. She’d told herself she had no choice! Jamie hugged her tightly as he spoke directly into her ear.

*“You’ve done a lot of terrible things Vanessa to secure your future as a Taylor. We all have. But right now....prove to yourself first that it was all worth it.”*

Jamie released Vanessa, giving her one more glance before leaving the room.

That night, when they all returned home; Vanessa overheard Harold and Laura talking about her and Josie.

*“Laura….I feel like I’m losing my grip on everything.”*

Laura looked at her husband with empathic eyes. She was aware of the strain he’d been under since the shares transfer and the rift it caused between him and Christian. Taking her husband’s hand; Laura looked him in the eyes.

*“Harold….I think this family has played pretend so long that we no longer know who we really are.”*

Harold’s eyes widen as Laura continued.

*“We’re not good people. We shunned out daughter when we should have been grateful for her return all because she didn’t ‘fit’ into what we thought was our world. And the minute she needed us most….we sent her to prison. Perhaps this is just our karma.”*

Tears began to fall out of Harold’s eyes. Was that what this was? Karma? Was he being punished for loving the daughter that he raised? Would God be that cruel? No! Harold refused to accept that! Josie was his biological daughter yes….but he RAISED Vanessa! She had the spirit of Taylor running through her veins. That would have to be good enough for now.

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*“Did you hear what I said honey?”*

Laura’s question snapped Vanessa back out of her thoughts. Smiling back her mother, she nodded as she hugged her. Her smile not once reaching her eyes.

*“Yes mother! Thank you so much for your kind words. I….I know I’m not the daughter that truly belonged to you-”*

*“Don’t you ever say that! Look at me Vanessa. You are MY daughter and today is your day! I love you; I’ll always love and be proud of you!”*

The tears began to falls down Laura’s face as she hugged her daughter once more. Taking their seats, Vanessa looked around the room as the other contenders made their way to their sections with their families. There was one section that was still empty, however.

Imperial Designs. Elizabeth Bowen.

Jamie was the first to speak about it.

*“Huh. Looks like Bowen and her section haven’t arrived yet.”*

Harold scoffed.

*“Tch. Maybe she wised up and decided not to embarrass herself. Everyone knows our Nessie is going to win this competition.”*

As Vanessa smiled smugly, a handsome young man along with several other people began to make their way over to the Bowen section. Christian spoke next, a sarcastic tone.

*“Looks like you spoke too soon father.”*

Harold’s face scrunched as he watched the people make their way to the Bowen section. As they took their seats, Vanessa couldn’t help but feel she’d seen that handsome man somewhere before. Noticing her staring, Laura leaned over.

*“Ness, do you know him?”*

Vanessa looked over at her mother slightly startled.

*“Oh….um….no. I don’t think I know him. He just looks familiar.”*

Laura smiled.

*“He’s quite handsome. Shame he’s on the enemy’s team.”*

Vanessa laughed with her mother, but something was beginning to trouble her.

*‘Relax Ness. It’s just nerves. Everything is fine!’*

As the other guests continued to arrive, Christian noticed two women walk into the room. The first woman he didn’t recognize as he couldn’t see her face. The woman was wearing a beautiful black laced gown with a matching hat and veil that covered her face. But the woman behind her; he’d definitely recognized.

*“Hey….isn’t that Emily Wright?”*

Everyone turned towards the two women as they made their way across the room while others whispered wondering who they were.

*“That’s definitely that bitch Emily! What the hell is she doing here?”*

Vanessa fumed as she watched her and the other woman walked across the room. Jamie spoke next.

*“Who’s that her?”*

Harlod looked as the women continued to their section.

*“I’m not sure. I can’t see her face.”*

Vanessa scoffed.

*“That’s because she’s dressed like she’s attending a funeral. Dramatic much.”*

Finally, the women made they way to their section with the woman in black sitting in the center chair. The Taylors along with many others throughout the rooms began to gasps. The woman was Elizabeth Bowen.

Harold began to seethe!

*“That little fucking traitor! She went to work for Bowen! How dare she!”*

Christian responded flatly.

*“You fired her father. What did you expect.”*

Harold looked at his son with pure annoyance.

*“Of course I fired her! She turned in that disastrous proposal! That type of work isn’t fit for HT!”*

Christian rolled his eyes.

*“We had no proof of that dad.”*

*“Are you saying I was mistaken!”*

*“I’m saying she was a great assistant, and I never had a problem with her work.”*

Both Harold and Vanessa’s eyes widened. What the fuck was going on with Christian! Wanting to change the subject so that the conversation wouldn’t turn to her, Vanessa decided to interject. In her best sugary voice, she began to speak.

*“Well…regardless, it’s good she was able to find employment again. There’s so many people here! I can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing designs!”*

Harold smiled at his daughter as she beamed.

*“Well….none of them will be better than yours Nessie. But yes, it will be interesting to see what others have come up with.”*

Vanessa sighed inwardly with relief; glad she was able to turn the conversation. Suddenly, the lights on the stage lit up as a tall and regal woman made her way to the stage. Adrianna Delgato.

Vanessa’s eyes widen with admiration.

*“Is that Chairwoman Delgato? She’s beautiful.”*

Jamie chimed in agreeing.

*“Damn she sure is. I wonder if she’s single.”*

Christian rolled his eyes at his brother. Of course that’s where his mind would go.

Taking the microphone. Adrianna began to speak.

*“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to House Delgato’s battle of the designs!!!”*

The crowd began to clap and cheer as the orchestra began to play. Holding her hands up to calm the crowd, Adrianna continued.

*“Thank you!! Thank you to all that entered the competition and made it to the final rounds! Your work is truly amazing and myself along with the other judges have truly enjoyed witnessing some of the best designs we’ve ever seen!!!”*

The crown began to clap and cheer once again.

*“I also want to think all the guests who purchased tickets whether to support your loved ones who are in the competition, or see what the hottest designers have to offer, or just to witness what will go down as one of the most interesting competitions in history; House Delgato is truly grateful. I want everyone to know that all the proceeds from this event will be set up as a scholarship for the next generation of designers!”*

*“So, without further ado, let me introduce you all the world’s most talented designers!!!”*

As the crowd began to clap and cheer, a dark feeling began to creep into Christian. He couldn’t help but continue to look over at Elizabeth Bowen. Though he couldn’t see her face; he couldn’t help but feel she was familiar. Finally, one last person made their way into the room. As he made his way across the room, Chrisitan and Harold’s eyes widened in shock.

*“Isn’t that Joshua Watson?”*

Harold asked as he leaned over towards Christian.

*“Yeah but who’s he here to support?”*

On the other side of the room, James Watson was also confused.

*“What the hell is he doing here?”*

Everyone in the room’s eyes widened as they gasped. The person he was there for was none other than Elizabeth Bowen.

Harold began to panic.

*“Wait! He knows that Bowen girl???”*

Christian could feel the knots in his stomach began to form. Why the hell was Joshua Watson supporting Bowen. But before anyone could ask, the Taylor family all looked in horror as Joshua lifted the veil off Elizabeth.

*“W-What…..what the hell is going on!!!!”*

Harold began to panic!

*“What the fuck is she doing here!!!”*

Jamie exclaimed!

*“I don’t understand….”*

Christian’s voice was low and heavy.

Vanessa, however, she said nothing as her eyes widened so much it felt as if they would pop out of their sockets.

*‘I don’t understand! I don’t understand! I DON’T UNDERSTAND!!!!!!’*

Her mind was racing as she along with her family stared in horrific shock.

Laura finally being the one to speak her name.

*“J-Josie.”*