"Thank you so much, Andarta Aria, for sharing such an incredible piece with us—and for your clarification. Please, leave the rest to us," one of the judges said, his tone noticeably gentler as he looked kindly at Hera.
Now that Hera had successfully established herself as the victim, sympathy naturally flowed toward her. The judges regarded her with newfound warmth and understanding. Their softened voices and expressions reflected not only respect but also empathy—because they understood just how devastating it was to pour one's heart and soul into a design, only to have it stolen and claimed by someone else.
It was a betrayal that struck deep. In truth, at least 20% of the people in the industry had experienced something similar. That shared pain made Hera's situation all the more relatable and emotional, and it moved many of them to stand firmly by her side.
