Chapter 1129

Natalie could give up on the competition, but she could never give up on Shane.

“How could you?” Sally quickly put down the thermal food jar before rushing forward to grab Natalie’s
hands. “Nat, I know why you’re doing this, but it’s the finals soon. Don’t you think that it’s selfish?
You’re not the only one competing here. If you leave, then what will Lina do? The two of you are
partners. If you leave, Lina won’t be able to continue with the competition.”

At that, Natalie’s eyes widened before casting an apologetic look at Lina.

She’s right. I’m not the only one competing here. Lina’s my partner.

What will she do if I leave now?

“Lina, I’m sorry. I-”

“All right, that’s enough.” Lina smiled as she stepped forward. “I understand. If you want to go back,
go.”

“Lina?” Sally spun around to stare at her in disbelief. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“I do. I know how she feels. No one knows if Mr. Shane is dead or alive. Even if Nat stays for the
competition, she won’t be able to come up with any proper blueprints because her heart is no longer
here,” Lina quietly said.

Sally’s mouth opened, but her words only came after a beat. “But what about you? What will you do?”

“I’ll be fine. Even if we quit now, we’ll still be in third place. We never were confident about emerging as
the champion in the finals because the competitors are about the same level as us. Getting a third
place is quite eye-catching too. Being the champion is just the icing on the cake. Although it sounds



better, it isn’t that big of a difference, really. Besides, we always have the next round of competition,”
Lina told her with a small smile.

However, that smile of hers only made Natalie feel worse—it made her feel guilty for letting her down.

Covering her face, Natalie began sobbing. “I’m sorry, Lina. I’m really sorry.”

“There, there.” Lina took a step forward and hugged her as she patted her back. I’ve guessed that you
would’ve done this, so I’ve already told my mentor about it. My mentor agrees with this too. Although
the competition is important, it’s nothing in comparison to a life. While a designer should strive for the
best, abandoning one’s morals and emotions in the pursuit of achievements will make that designer a
horrible one. They won’t be able to come up with a design that clicks with the others.”

At that, Lina wiped Natalie’s tears and added, “So, Nat, go back to look for Mr. Shane. Find him. That
way, you won’t let me down after I quit the competition. Of course, once you find him, you’ll have to
compensate me and Sal, or else I’ll never let you off the hook.”

Sally sighed before finally showing them both a smile. “What can I say after Lina’s decision? Still, Nat,
I’m on Lina’s side this time. She’s right. We’ve given up on the competition for you, so don’t you
disappoint us. Otherwise, we’ll really stop being friends with you.”

As Natalie listened to their words of support and encouragement, guilt and warm feelings swelled in her
chest.

She took in a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face before nodding. “Don’t worry. I won’t let
you down. I’ll find Shane, and I’ll make up to you. I won’t let your sacrifice be in vain!”

“Good to hear that. I’ll apply for our departure from the competition,” Lina told her.



Natalie hummed in response before saying, “I’ll call the organizers in a while too because I can’t let
them announce the true reason for our discontinuation. Otherwise, someone else will find out about
Shane’s disappearance.”

“You can say that you fell and gave birth to your baby prematurely. And since you’re now recovering in
the hospital, you can’t continue with the competition,” Sally suggested.

Natalie nodded. “That was what I was thinking as well.”

Then, she turned to Silas and said, “Mr. Campbell, I’d have to trouble you to take a trip to my mentor’s.
She has to know about my discontinuation in the competition.”

Regardless of whether her mentor would be angry at her for quitting the competition or not, she had to
go back home.

Perhaps she would be filled with regret for a while after quitting the competition, but that regret would
be with her for the rest of her life if she did not look for Shane now.


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