A moment of truth.

As the moment of truth arrived, Abigail's nervousness reached a fever pitch. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum, threatening to burst out at any moment. Shara, the host, took the microphone and began to announce the results, starting from the fifth place.

Abigail's eyes glued to Shara's lips, her mind racing with anticipation. But as the names were announced, Abigail's hopes began to dwindle. Fourth place, third place... and still, her name wasn't called. Abigail's face fell, her spirits sinking. She had been so sure she'd at least make it to the top three, or at the very least, scrape into fifth place.

Now, with only two spots left, Abigail's doubts crept in. Had she not done enough? Was her gown not good enough? The uncertainty was suffocating, and Abigail could feel her dreams slipping away...

Just as Abigail's hopes had almost faded away, Shara announced the second-place winner, and Abigail's name echoed through the room. For a moment, she didn't react, her mind still reeling from the shock. She had expected to be eliminated or, at best, scrape into a lower spot.

But as the reality of her achievement sank in, Abigail's expression transformed from shock to elation. She let out a tiny squeal, her eyes widening in surprise, and her body language relaxed into a relieved smile. She couldn't believe it - she had taken second place!

Abigail's thoughts whirled with excitement, but she knew that the ultimate prize had slipped through her fingers. The first-place winner would get the chance to collaborate with a renowned designer, an opportunity that Abigail had never dared to dream of. As a newcomer to the fashion field, she had considered just participating in the competition a victory in itself.

Yet, as Abigail made her way to the stage to accept her second-place prize, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. She had exceeded her own expectations, and that was all that mattered.

As the announcement came to a close, the judges made their way to the stage, prizes in hand. Abigail's heart swelled with excitement as she accepted her second-place prize: a staggering 1 million cash award and a magnificent trophy that sparkled in the light.

The prize was more than Abigail could have ever imagined, and she felt a deep sense of gratitude and fulfillment. But more valuable than the prize itself was the sense of validation and encouragement that came with it. Abigail felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination, a fire ignited within her to work even harder and push herself to new heights in the future.

As she held her trophy aloft, basking in the applause and admiration of the crowd, Abigail knew that this moment was just the beginning. She had caught a glimpse of her potential, and she was eager to see how far she could go. The prize was not just a recognition of her past efforts, but a catalyst for her future success.

Haper's eyes were glued to the screen as he watched the live video of the competition's finale. As Abigail's name was announced as the second-place winner, Haper's jaw dropped in stunned amazement. She couldn't believe it - Abigail, the talented and determined designer he had grown to admire, had taken home a trophy!

Haper's face lit up with a radiant smile as she leapt from his seat, her hands clasped together in excitement. She felt as though she was right there with Abigail, basking in the thrill of her triumph. Tears of joy pricked at the corners of her eyes as she watched Abigail accept her prize, her beaming smile illuminating the stage.

Caleb watched the live broadcast with great interest, his eyes fixed on Abigail as she accepted her second-place award. As he gazed at the screen, his fingers drummed a gentle rhythm on the glass of his wine, a subtle expression of his thoughts.

In his mind, Caleb had pegged Abigail as a talented designer, but he hadn't expected her to excel to this extent. He had envisioned her as a promising contender, perhaps making it to the middle rounds, but not quite reaching the pinnacle of success.

And yet, here she was, standing on stage, a trophy in hand, and a prize that exceeded his expectations. Caleb's drumming fingers slowed, and he leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. He was impressed, not just by Abigail's talent, but by her determination and perseverance. She had proven him wrong, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her achievement.

As Abigail walked towards him, trophy in hand, Ethan erupted into hearty applause, a beaming smile spreading across his face. Abigail's eyes sparkled with joy, her face alight with a radiant glow, as she basked in the praise and admiration.

But as she reached Ethan's side, her expression suddenly crumpled, and tears began to flow. The emotions she had kept in check until now came flooding out, and she buried her face in Ethan's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.

Ethan's smile softened, and he wrapped a comforting arm around Abigail's shoulders, holding her close. "Congratulations, Abigail," he whispered, his voice warm with pride and affection. "You deserve this moment. I'm so proud of you."

With the trophy clutched tightly in her hands, Abigail headed straight to the hospital, eager to share her triumph with Julian. As she entered his room, Julian's face lit up with a warm smile, his eyes shining with pride and happiness.

"Abigail, congratulations!" Julian exclaimed, his voice weak but full of emotion. "I'm so proud of you! You deserve this victory."

Ethan, who had accompanied Abigail to the hospital, smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yes, Abigail, you've had an incredible day. Why don't I take you home now? You must be exhausted."

But Abigail shook her head, her eyes locked on Julian's face. "No, I want to stay here with Julian tonight," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "I want to celebrate with him, and make sure he's okay."

Julian's smile faltered as Abigail's words hung in the air. Ethan, sensing the emotional moment, discreetly excused himself and headed home, leaving the two alone.

As soon as Ethan was gone, Abigail's expression turned serious, and she leaned in closer to Julian. "I have something important to tell you," she said, her voice low and urgent. "I managed to get my hands on the USB drive that Johnson had planned to use to threaten Harper."

Julian's eyes widened in surprise, and he struggled to sit up, his face etched with concern. Abigail gently pressed him back, her hand on his shoulder.

But that wasn't all," Abigail continued. "Johnson has also voluntarily confessed to beating you up. He's willing to face the consequences of his actions."

Julian's eyes locked onto Abigail's, a mix of shock, relief, and gratitude swirling in their depths.