"No, it's not like that, Nathan. This whole situation was orchestrated by my assistant without my knowledge. I was powerless to stop it, and I never expected my name to be on the winning design draft. But I wanted to win so badly, and I didn't want to disappoint you. With all those authoritative figures present, I couldn't just rush forward and declare the design wasn't mine. You were the sponsor of the competition; I was afraid it would embarrass you. I really had no choice!" Iris Hart cried as she explained, but to Nathan Ford, her words sounded absurdly laughable.
"So, you're saying it's my fault the design draft was switched?"
"No, no, that's not what I mean at all. It was all my assistant's doing. I never intended to deceive you from the start. Nathan, I did it all for you! Please, can't you forgive me just this once, please?" Iris Hart's makeup was ruined by tears, her carefully maintained image now the last of her concerns.
