The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

It wasn't that Stella's team had done poorly—far from it.

"Is Stella seriously this amazing? She's actually on par with someone like Harry now?"

“Mr. Walden brought in Harry to lend some star power, but honestly, that just seems beneath him. Even though they both got perfect scores... in the end, Rachel still couldn't beat Stella.”

“I just don't get it. Why would Mr. Walden choose Rachel as his apprentice over Stella?"

"Exactly. In terms of skill, looks, charisma, even talent-how could Rachel ever compare to Stella?”

One of the judges spoke up, “Our scoring is always fair and impartial. This was a team event, and Stella and Antoney worked together seamlessly. Every section was executed flawlessly.

If anyone has doubts, you're welcome to submit the full recording of the competition to the world's leading adjudication board."

Mr. Walden and the others looked visibly unsettled.

They were, after all, the top musicians in the field-no strangers to how these things worked.

They knew the judges hadn't played favorites.

The chemistry in Stella's group really did deserve a perfect score.

The host called the previous teams back onstage to announce the scores and the overall rankings.

stood with a stony

tie was not the

microphone, the host proclaimed, “Currently in second place, we have Miss

undefeated champions of

"Hold on."

the host could finish, another voice cut through

blinked,

is there something you'd

room could hear. "Stella and I made a wager backstage on the outcome of

tie. There needs to be a clear

the judges

Antoney's face darkened. "Despicable!"

Harry had cornered Stella, leaving her no way

if Stella lost, she'd have to quit

aback. “A wager? What

lifted his chin, voice

to Stella's mother and her mentor in

get down on my knees and bark like a

5

glanced at

that a

pressed on, "And if