Meanwhile outside, Zara noticed Levina's furrowed brows and Sana's panicked face as she glanced backstage.
Zara couldn't help but feel anxious.
She looked toward her brother, who was focused on the show. She tugged at his sleeve and whispered in his ear as he turned toward her.
"Brother, I think there's some kind of problem with Miss Lannister. I'm going to check it out."
He narrowed his eyes. "What? How do you know just by sitting here?"
"Oh ho, brother, please don't ask how I know. I just have a feeling—you know my gut never lies."
Zane stared at her for a moment. When she stood up to leave, he stopped her.
"Wait."
Inside, Levina couldn't help but bite her lip.
She'd spent nearly two weeks sketching and creating that dress herself. Hours upon hours perfecting the final fabric, delicately hand-stitching pearls and glitter to bring her vision to life.
She had been so excited to present it as the showstopper. But now it was ruined.
Why couldn't things ever go as planned? Especially when he was here—when the last person she wanted to see her fail was watching from the front row.
She clenched her fists.
"What is happening here?"
Levina snapped her eyes open. Oh no.
"Miss Lannister, is there any problem?"
She bit her lip again and turned to face him.
Zane and Zara both narrowed their eyes as they caught sight of the model behind Levina—her dress stained.
"Levina, brother's asking you something. Is there a problem? Do you need our help?" Zara asked gently.
Levina pursed her lips.
"Mr. Ernesto, Zara… as you can see, we had a couple fight here, and the girl behind me ended up ruining my showstopper dress. Now we don't have time to find a new dress, or a new couple."
Zane and Zara exchanged glances.
"Don't worry, Miss Lannister," Zane said calmly. "We still have some time before the final walk. I think my sister can help you. She may look like she doesn't know anything—but she's a genius at last-minute magic."
Zara coughed. "Ugh… stop it, brother. If you keep this up, I might just fly into the sky," she muttered, nudging his arm.
Zane smiled.
"So?" Zara said, turning to Levina with a confident grin. "What do you say, Miss Lannister? Do you need my help?"
Levina blinked. "Can you really fix the dress in such a short time?"
Zara smiled. "Don't worry—I'll take care of it. I just need a few things. Can someone get them for me quickly?"
Sana stepped forward. "Miss Zara, just tell me what you need. I'll bring it myself."
Zara listed her items calmly. "White vinegar, cold water, baking soda, a hair dryer, and a clean cloth."
Sana sprinted off.
Within minutes, Zara had the stained model standing under a spotlight backstage. Everyone hovered around nervously.
Zara got to work—she gently blotted the stain with vinegar and water, mixed baking soda into a paste, and dabbed it over the juice marks. She worked fast, focused.
Then came the drying.
She adjusted the mini hair dryer to cool air and began drying the satin carefully, lifting sections to keep its shape and shine. A few assistants held fans, helping the process.
Five minutes passed.
Zara stepped back, eyes scanning the dress. It was dry. Clean. Pearls still glimmering under the light.
The crowd watching backstage gasped softly. Even Levina looked stunned.
The dress was saved.
Zara looked up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "All done. She's ready for the runway."
Perry exhaled. "You… you really did it. Miss Zara"
Zane smirked from the side. "As expected from my sister"
"Okay, the dress is fixed, but it's almost time for the final show and we don't have a male partner yet. Now who is going to walk with her?"
Perry asked, glancing at Jane.
Levina raised her hand to stop her.
"Perry, she is not going to walk with that ruined makeup and teary face."
Everyone exchanged glances.
"You go to the restroom, change your dress, and give it to me. You understand?"
Jane nodded quickly, "I will, Miss Lannister."
Then she turned and walked away without another word.
Levina spun around and faced the group. Her voice rang out, firm and clear.
"Is there anyone who wants to participate in the couple walk?"
Silence.
Everyone avoided her gaze, smiling awkwardly like guilty children.
"Orion, what about you? Want to join?" she asked, zeroing in on her junior designer.
Orion scratched the back of his neck, flustered.
"Boss… you see, I'm not used to ramp walks. And most importantly, I can't handle dozens of people staring at me and snapping pictures. I think I'll pass out before I even finish."
Laughter erupted. A few claps and chuckles filled the tense air.
Levina rubbed her temple in frustration.
"Boss, the show is almost about to end. We have only ten models left—we must hurry," someone reminded her urgently.
Levina furrowed her brows, scanning the room again—still no volunteers.
Just then, Zara stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Sis—no, I mean Levina—don't worry. I know exactly who's going to steal the show tonight."
She smirked like she held the secret to the universe.
---
Ten minutes later—
As the second-last couple exited the stage, a heavy hush fell over the crowd.
Everyone leaned forward, eyes locked on the entrance, breath held.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
Still, no one came out.
Whispers bloomed across the hall like wildfire.
"What's going on?"
"Did they forget the final couple?"
"Are they even showing us the last piece?"
"Maybe there's a wardrobe malfunction—last-minute fixing?"
"We don't have all night, come on!"
"Wait… maybe there's a surprise couple?"
Hope flickered in some, annoyance in others.
Just as the crowd buzzed louder
The lights dimmed.
Then a spotlight burst onto the entrance.
Gasps echoed.
A couple stepped into view.
And then chaos.
"Oh my, isn't that Zane Ernesto? What is he doing with Levina Lannister?"
"Wait, are they secretly dating?!"
"Don't you know OvalSky's CEO never shows up to events unless it's someone very close to him!"
"Ahhh it is Zane Ernesto! He's so handsome!" a young heiress squealed.
"My God—they're so pretty together! Are they a real couple? This is headline news!"
Reporters jolted to their feet, cameras flashing furiously, capturing every angle, every step, every glance.
Unbothered by the commotion below the stage
Zane and Levina walked out, hand in hand.
Earlier, Zara had dropped the bomb of an idea Zane and Levina walking as a couple.
At first, both refused awkwardly. But of course, Zara worked her magic. And here they were.
Levina couldn't help but sneak a glance down at their intertwined hands.
She had dreamed of this moment far too many times.
Her heart pounded like thunder in her chest.
Zane, on the other hand, walked like he owned the place. Calm. Confident. His faint smile sent hearts into chaos.
Soft, romantic music played in the background.
They looked like a real couple—beautiful, powerful, and madly in love.
Zane turned slightly to look at her.
Their eyes met.
Levina's breath hitched. Her cheeks flushed a deep pink as she quickly turned away.
Zane smirked.
And just like that
They stole the show.