Chapter 734:
As she made her point, a confrontational tone cut through from the judges’ panel.
“Wasn’t your dyeing attempt less than successful? There’s a glaring dark spot on the lower right side of the T-shirt from your wet gloves—it really stands out!”
Julie Webster narrowed her eyes just a touch at the remark, casting a cool glance at Andy Lambert, the one who had interrupted. In a steady voice, she said, “Andy, it might be better if you waited. Contestant No. 3 is still in the middle of their presentation. You’ll have time for questions once they’re done.”
From her position, Linsey recognized that Julie was the judge who had earlier encouraged her to go first.
With a smile and a composed demeanor, Linsey responded, “True, there was a little accident with the dye. My gloves bled into the light dye in the bucket. But I believe this imperfection adds a unique twist to my design, rather than detracting from it.”
She paused briefly, then gestured towards the stained area on the T-shirt, continuing, “Imagine this scene—a family enjoying a picnic in a park under the bright sunlight. This dark patch here? It’s like the moist earth following a spring rain.”
As he listened, Andy’s face twisted into a more derisive expression, but before he could resume his criticism, Linsey interjected, “My original plan was to keep the T-shirt in lighter tones throughout. Yet, introducing this darker element inadvertently gave the design a richer contrast.”
Linsey gave the rack a spin, revealing the T-shirt’s back to the room. “When I saw the gloves had left marks on the front, I grabbed the shirt right away. The back didn’t catch any of that dark pigment. Unlike the front, where bold colors clash and blend, the back is covered in gentle tones. Don’t you think it feels like it’s missing a bit of contrast?”
Linsey’s laughter filled the air, her voice raspy yet warm with remembrance. “This dark patch actually accentuates the lighter shades around it, making them appear even softer and brighter.”
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘁 gⲁⳑ𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧽ⅽ𝗈𝗺
After a pause, she continued, “Emotionally, it symbolizes the lingering sadness of a mother’s past experiences. Yet, surrounded by her children, her spirits are lifted, much like the predominant light hues in my design—both sunny and warm.”
Andy clenched his jaw. His voice was laced with irritation as he said, “Earlier, you said this patch wasn’t merely a stain. Now it signifies sadness? Doesn’t that seem contradictory?”
Linsey responded instantly, her voice steady. “Who ever said that sadness must be negative?”
This took Andy by surprise.
Patiently, Linsey elaborated, “The reason we hold the present so close is because we’ve known what it feels like to hurt. When we have our loved ones beside us, even the hardest moments from the past can’t take away the light that lies ahead. Sadness doesn’t disappear completely, but it teaches us to see the worth of those who stay in our lives. That feeling—those ties between family—is what matters most.”
Her words flowed through the microphone, resonating with the audience both online and backstage.
Collin found himself caught in the moment, unable to look away. Something about what Contestant No. 3 had said stirred an unexpected weight in his chest, making each breath feel heavier than the last.
