The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 688

The crowd buzzed with speculation, everyone whispering their own theories and opinions.

The hotter Stella's fame burned, the more controversy swirled around her.

Not that any of it touched her. Stella remained unbothered.

Soon, the day of the finals arrived.

To prevent the strongest competitors from knocking each other out early-letting a lucky underdog slip through to second or third place the competition wasn't set up as a simple elimination. Instead, they used a points system.

The ten finalists would each face a gauntlet: solo performances, ensemble work, and a round-robin of head-to-head duels. Every match and performance earned points, and in the end, the three highest scorers would be crowned champion, runner-up, and third place.

This format demanded not only skill, but also stamina and steady nerves. For every contestant, it was a true test of endurance and mentality.

Stella had made it to the finals. Abby, Candida Fletcher, Antoney, Neville, and Marvin Connolly all showed up to support her.

taken. Scanning the crowd, Stella even spotted quite

time, Mr. Walden himself had been invited to deliver the opening

encouragement. Up on stage, most of the contestants-everyone except Stella and Rachel-looked visibly moved, some even

Once, she too had idolized Mr. Walden. These days, the pedestal she'd placed him on had long since crumbled, but she still respected him.

promising protégé is competing today, and she's the odds-on favorite to win. Mr. Walden, how

legendary. He responded with a

scene. "Bringing up Mr. Walden's student so openly before the competition even starts is bound to put pressure on the others. It's

her eyes. "Since when is anything in this world actually fair? The fact that Mr. Walden was invited to give the opening speech might be a way

people in the industry- three of the four special guest judges at the finals are Mr.

special guests, they'd want big names. And among those qualified to judge or mentor, at least half were linked to Mr. Walden. Of not

students of his students.

Mr. Walden's influence in the field

think they'll try to trip Stella up? Or maybe give Rachel an easy

many eyes on them, I doubt they'd be that blatant. But...