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.

so they had no clue what could

ticked by, each one

it was time for

spotlight hit the

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

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

it dawned on the audience

Did Stella

missing because of illness, that's a

If Stella was sick, the organizers would have announced it by

dragged down

and speculated, the host strode out,

"Sorry,

One. Since contestant

to arrive on time,

this

down in tears the moment she heard

wave of outrage rippled

Stella didn't show up and they lost, fine-but

so Felipa gets penalized

make up

Felipa doesn't deserve

all they'd have to do is bai at the last minute, and