The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

At the competition venue.

Abby and Antoney scanned the room anxiously, their faces tight with worry.

"What's going on? Why isn't Star here yet?"

Antoney's expression darkened. "I've called both Star and Joshua, but no one's picking up."

Abby's concern deepened. "Star's supposed to be on stage any minute now. If she doesn't show... we could be looking at a forfeit."

"That's not even the worst of it," Antoney replied. "Today's the team event. If Star doesn't show, she drags her partner down with her."

Abby's face blanched at the realization.

Stella's popularity online was sky-high—on par with any A-list celebrity.

If she missed the competition without an explanation, the trolls would have a field day tearing her apart.

But whether Stella would get roasted online was the least of their worries right now.

What mattered most was-

What if something had happened to her?

Abby hadn't come to the venue with Stella today because she'd been busy coordinating with the concert organizers. Antoney had left from the studio. Stella, meanwhile, was supposed to come with Joshua, setting out from her apartment complex.

of them had met up beforehand, so they

by, each one

finished, it was time for

the

grand entrance. With her star power and talent, it made sense-maybe the organizers wanted to milk

several awkward minutes passed. Stella still didn't appear. The lights and music never kicked

on the audience

on? Did

sick, is she? If she's missing because of illness, that's a

If Stella was sick, the organizers would have

dragged

murmured and speculated, the host strode out, looking

"Sorry,

One. Since contestant

failed to arrive on time,

with the judges, this round is considered

down in tears the

outrage rippled

up and they lost, fine-but this

so Felipa gets penalized

make up

not fair. Felipa

sabotage their partner, all they'd have to do is bai at