Chapter 19 Losing Clarity

When Haichin stepped down from the stage, it felt like she was walking on cotton. She wasn't unable to accept failure; she just didn't understand why Amelia's nonsense could be accepted while her earnest designs received such feedback! As Haichin sat down, she felt overwhelmed by a mountain of grievances, suffocating under immense sadness. Isaac leaned closer to Haichin, the warm scent of white moss slightly thawing the cold atmosphere. Haichin snapped out of it, staring somewhat dazedly at Isaac. Suddenly, Isaac regretted subjecting Haichin to such a scene. Isaac comfortingly patted Haichin's hand, feeling its coldness. He frowned and called Xavier, blaming the central air conditioning for being too cold. "It's not his fault, Isaac, sir." Haichin belatedly realized that Xavier was being reprimanded because of her. In her distress, Haichin grabbed Isaac's forearm. Xavier's pupils trembled slightly. Ignoring his own scolding, he quickly looked up at Isaac, then hurriedly lowere