Chapter 6: The Judge Who Knew My Mother's Name
I looked at Richard Cole.
“One of the judges?””
He nodded.
“That's what we're investigating.””
I glanced at Patricia.
She closed the folder in front of her.
“Mr. Cole, I haven't received confirmation of that.””
“I'm aware,” he replied.
“That's why I asked to speak privately.””
Richard was in his early fifties, with neatly combed gray hair and the kind of calm expression that made people listen when he spoke.
He pulled a chair toward the table.
“Ms. Bennett, I need to ask you something. Have you ever met a man named Robert Hayes?””
I shook my head.
“Not that I remember.””
“Does the name mean anything to you?””
“No.””
Richard looked at Patricia.
She opened the folder again.
“Robert Hayes is one of the five judges assigned to the pastry competition.””
My stomach tightened.
“Is he the one who inspected my bouquet?””
“No,” Patricia replied.
“That was Judge Martin. Mr. Hayes was assigned to the technical evaluation panel.””
I remembered the judges walking between the tables.
There had been an older man with silver hair, a woman wearing glasses, and a younger chef with a tattoo on his wrist.
I couldn't remember anyone named Robert.
Richard opened a document on his tablet.
“We found a message sent from your mother's email address to an account associated with Mr. Hayes.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“What did it say?””
Richard turned the screen toward me.
The message was short.
*Gloria:* Robert, I need your help. My younger daughter has entered the competition, but her older sister is creating problems. Can you make sure the judges understand which entry deserves attention?
The reply was even shorter.
*Robert:* I'll look into it.
I stared at the screen.
“That's all?””
“So far,” Richard said.
Patricia leaned forward.
“Mr. Cole, we cannot assume misconduct from a vague message.””
“I agree. But the timing is concerning.””
He swiped to another page.
It showed the competition's internal evaluation schedule.
A note had been added beside Tessa's entry number.
*Priority review requested.*
My stomach dropped.
“Who added that?””
Richard looked at me.
“That's what we're trying to establish.””
I sat back.
For a moment, I couldn't hear anything except the air conditioner humming above us.
My mother had already stolen my cake.
She had tried to have me disqualified.
And now there was a possibility that she had reached someone on the judging panel.
I rubbed my forehead.
“Does this mean Tessa could still win?””
Patricia answered carefully.
“Not if the evidence establishes that her entry violates the rules.””
“But what about my entry?””
“Your entry is being evaluated separately.””
Richard closed his tablet.
“Ms. Bennett, I want to make something clear. You are not responsible for any misconduct committed by other people. You should continue preparing for the final judging.””
I nodded.
He stood.
“One more thing. Do not confront Mr. Hayes if you see him.””
I looked up.
“Why?””
“Because we need to preserve the integrity of the investigation.””
He handed Patricia a document.
Then he left.
I remained seated.
Patricia gave me a sympathetic look.
“Would you like some water?””
I nodded.
She brought me a paper cup.
I drank slowly.
My phone vibrated.
It was Naomi again.
*Naomi:* Any news?
I typed:
*Me:* Mom may have contacted one of the judges.
Her response came almost immediately.
*Naomi:* Your mother needs a hobby.
I laughed.
A real laugh.
For the first time all day.
Then Naomi sent another message.
*Naomi:* Seriously, are you okay?
I looked at the bandage covering my eye.
*Me:* I'm tired. But I'm okay.
*Naomi:* Remember, your cake is still beautiful.
I glanced at the bouquet.
*Me:* It's not a cake anymore.
*Naomi:* Then it's something better.
I smiled.
When I returned to the exhibition hall, a photographer was taking pictures of the finalists' entries.
Tessa's blue cake was still on the table, but the competition's temporary suspension notice had been placed beside it.
My sister was nowhere to be seen.
Gloria stood near the entrance, speaking to a man in a dark suit.
I recognized the silver-haired judge standing beside him.
Robert Hayes.
He was holding a cup of coffee and listening to my mother.
When he noticed me, his expression changed.
Gloria followed his gaze.
Her eyes met mine.
Then she quickly turned away.
I walked toward my display.
A woman from the photography team approached.
“Ms. Bennett, could you stand beside your arrangement for a picture?””
“Of course.””
She adjusted the lighting.
“Beautiful work. Did you make everything yourself?””
“Yes.””
“Even the stems?””
“Yes. They're dark chocolate.””
She smiled.
“That's incredible.””
I stood beside the bouquet while she took several photographs.
Then she asked me to hold one of the small flowers.
I carefully lifted the ivory rose.
The photographer examined it.
“Is this the one that represents someone special?””
I nodded.
“My father.””
She smiled gently.
“That's lovely.””
I looked at the flower.
“I used to have trouble seeing the flowers in his garden. He would let me touch them instead.””
The photographer lowered her camera.
“That must have been a beautiful memory.””
“It was.””
I placed the flower back.
Then a familiar voice spoke behind me.
“Your father would be proud.””
I turned.
Robert Hayes stood a few feet away.
I looked at him carefully.
“Did you know my father?””
He shook his head.
“No. But I heard what you told the other judges.””
I nodded politely.
He glanced at my display.
“Very creative use of chocolate.””
“Thank you.””
He leaned closer to examine the ivory flower.
“Interesting. Why did you choose white?””
“Because my father grew white roses.””
He nodded.
“Sentimental work can be powerful. But in a competition, technical precision matters more.””
I looked at him.
“I understand.””
He straightened.
“Your sister's cake has stronger visual impact.””
I didn't answer.
He continued.
“Perhaps you should consider withdrawing before the final announcement. It might save everyone some embarrassment.””
I stared at him.
“Why would I withdraw?””
He shrugged.
“Family disagreements can become complicated. Sometimes it's better to let things go.””
I felt my heartbeat quicken.
“Are you asking me to withdraw?””
His expression hardened slightly.
“I'm simply offering advice.””
I looked past him.
Gloria was watching us.
Robert followed my gaze.
Then he lowered his voice.
“Your mother is a good woman. She doesn't deserve to have her reputation damaged over a misunderstanding.””
I stared at him.
A misunderstanding.
Thirty hours of work.
A stolen cake.
A false complaint.
A possible attempt to manipulate judges.
All of it reduced to a misunderstanding.
I took a breath.
“Judge Hayes, did my mother ask you to help Tessa?””
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“I don't discuss private conversations with competitors.””
“Then why are you discussing my mother with me?””
He said nothing.
I continued.
“Are you aware that the competition committee is investigating the complaint against my entry?””
His jaw tightened.
“I wouldn't worry about that.””
“Why not?””
He looked toward the entrance.
“Because things can be resolved quietly.””
I stared at him.
Then I understood why Richard had told me not to confront him.
This man wasn't simply giving advice.
He was testing how much I knew.
Before I could respond, a voice came from behind him.
“Robert.””
Richard Cole approached with Patricia Wells.
“Would you mind coming with us?””
Robert straightened.
“What's this about?””
Richard held up a folder.
“We need to discuss your communications with Gloria Bennett.””
Robert's face went pale.
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
Richard opened the folder.
“Then I'm sure you'll have no problem explaining these.””
He removed a printed document.
Robert looked at it.
His expression changed completely.
I couldn't see the details from where I stood.
But I heard him say:
“That message wasn't supposed to be part of the investigation.””
The hall became silent.
Richard looked directly at him.
“Then perhaps you should explain why you deleted it.””
Robert glanced toward Gloria.
My mother had stopped moving.
Tessa stood beside her, staring at the scene.
Patricia spoke quietly.
“Mr. Hayes, please come with us.””
Robert reluctantly followed them.
I remained beside my bouquet.
A few minutes later, Gloria approached me.
Her face was red.
“You've gone too far.””
I looked at her.
“I haven't done anything.””
“You've destroyed your sister's opportunity.””
“No. Tessa did that when she submitted my cake under her name.””
Gloria stepped closer.
“You think winning this competition will fix everything?””
I shook my head.
“No.””
“Then why are you doing this?””
I looked directly at her.
“Because I want to stop being punished for telling the truth.””
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
For once, she had no answer.
At that moment, the coordinator stepped onto the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the judging process has been temporarily paused while we complete a review of certain entries.””
The crowd murmured.
He continued.
“However, we are pleased to announce that the finalists have been selected based on the verified technical scores received so far.””
My heart started racing.
He unfolded a piece of paper.
“The first finalist is…”
He announced a name.
Then another.
Then another.
There were only two places left.
I gripped the edge of my table.
The coordinator looked down.
“The fourth finalist is Aaliyah Bennett.””
For a second, I couldn't move.
Then Naomi's voice seemed to echo in my head.
Your cake is still beautiful.
I smiled.
The coordinator raised the microphone again.
“And the fifth finalist is…”
He paused.
“Before I announce the final name, I need to clarify that the entry registered under Tessa Bennett remains suspended pending investigation.””
A wave of whispers swept through the room.
Tessa lowered her head.
Gloria stared at the stage.
Then the coordinator said something unexpected.
“The final position will be awarded to the competitor with the next highest verified technical score.””
He looked at his paper.
And announced another name.
It wasn't Tessa.
It wasn't me.
But the moment that name was spoken, I noticed Richard Cole standing at the side of the stage.
He was looking directly at me.
He motioned for me to approach.
I walked over.
He leaned close and spoke quietly.
“Ms. Bennett, the committee has just received a new piece of evidence from an independent source.””
My stomach tightened.
“What evidence?””
He looked at the hallway where Robert Hayes had disappeared.
“An original video recording from the competition registration area.””
I blinked.
“What does it show?””
Richard took a breath.
“It shows your mother handing someone an envelope.””
I felt cold all over.
“Who?””
He looked at me.
“Robert Hayes.””
Then he added:
“And the amount written on the envelope is $5,000.””
I stared at him.
Five thousand dollars.
My mother had refused to help pay for my surgery.
But she had apparently found five thousand dollars to influence a competition judge.
Richard lowered his voice further.
“There's something else you should know. Your mother didn't get that money from her own savings.””
My hands began trembling.
“Where did she get it?””
He hesitated.
Then he said:
“From an account registered in your name.””
I couldn't breathe.
Because I knew exactly which account he meant.
The savings account where I had deposited every dollar from five years of baking.
The account I had believed was secure.
The account I had never told Tessa about.
And suddenly, the competition wasn't just about my stolen cake anymore.
May you like
It was about the money I had been saving to see again.
And my mother had just given me a reason to investigate every dollar.
