The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

After listening, Candida frowned. "Honestly, the climate back home really does need to change."

It wasn't long before the results of the match between Stella and Rachel were announced.

Stella earned ten points.

Rachel... zero.

Even though the host and judges praised Rachel for her valiant effort, she still felt utterly humiliated.

She'd lost to Stella. Again.

Fortunately, she'd prepared herself before stepping onstage, so at least her dignity remained somewhat intact.

Rachel forced herself to smile gracefully. Turning to Stella, she said, "Ms. Cameron, congratulations on winning the first round."

Stella's own smile was impeccably polite. "Thank you, Ms. Pearce. We'll have another chance to compete soon. I hope you recover quickly, and that your hand heals well. Maybe next time, you'll take back the win."

This time, Stella scored ninety-nine points.

To beat her, Rachel would have to achieve a perfect score.

Even Antoney, the undeniable prodigy of the day, had only managed ninety-five.

Rachel's score didn't even come close.

Defeating Stella wasn't going to be easy.

After their display of polite rivalry, Stella and Rachel stepped down from the stage.

The other contestants continued with their matches.

By the end of the day, no one had managed to surpass Stella's top score.

Rachel had the second-highest score after Stella, but since she'd lost to her, she walked away with zero points.

Today was only the first day of the round-robin tournament. The others still had a chance to catch up in the next rounds.

After all the matches concluded, the host announced the results of the online popularity vote.

“Judges, take a guess—who do you think is today's fan favorite?"

Some judges guessed Stella, others picked Rachel, and a couple chose different

contestants.

Of the ten judges, five believed Stella was the most popular.

Three voted for Rachel.

The remaining two each picked someone else.

Once the suspense had built up, the host finally revealed the results.

"Our winner for today's fan favorite is... Ms. Rachel Pearce!

By the end of the competition, she had received one and a half million votes!

Ms. Cameron came in just behind, with one point four million!"noveldrama

The host didn't even mention third place—it was simply too far behind to be worth bringing up.

Rachel stared in disbelief.

What?!

Stella was only a hundred thousand votes behind?

After all the help Joshua promised with the voting, that was all she'd managed to pull ahead by?

As soon as the event ended, Rachel called Joshua.

"Joshua, didn't you say you'd help boost my votes? Why did I only barely edge out Stella?"

Joshua sounded utterly

unconcerned. "Stella was the

undisputed champion today. She's

ahead of you in talent, looks, and charisma. How much did you expect to win by-three million? Five mittion? Ten? The public isn't stupid, Ráchel. Beating her by a hundred

thousand is still a win. Just like your match-second place, but no points."

His words hit Rachel right where it hurt.

She clenched her teeth in frustration, but had nothing to say in response.

After all, she had technically beaten Stella.

She didn't dare offend Joshua, so she simply hung up in a huff.

On the first day of the tourna

Stella had already crushed

Rachel who was more persistent

th warm of gnats. Abby was

the moon.

She threw

arm around Stella

with a grin. "Come on! Let's

celebrate-drinks are on m

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