He rested a hand on Stella’s shoulder, asking, “Are you feeling jittery?”

Stella took a deep breath, straightening up.

“No! I’m all in.

I want to learn from Bella, no matter what it takes!”

Matthew grinned affectionately.

“Easy now.

Just give it your best shot.

Meanwhile, Haley stood outside, eavesdropping with a frown.

Cold sweat trickled down Haley’s forehead.

She balled her hands into fists, noticing her palms were slick with sweat.

The thought that Stella might return to Bella’s side filled her with dread, risking the exposure of her and Kristian’s scheme.

caution echoed in her mind, heightening

thoughts jumbled, she struggled to decide

Then, it hit her.

reach

delay, Haley hurried

breakfast, Stella observed Haley’s subdued demeanor and lack of appetite, prompting her to ask

her head, caught off guard by Stella’s

“I’m fine, really.

think I might have caught a cold

ahead

just need to

her way to the bathroom, and locked

alone, she pulled out her phone and texted Kristian, “Stella is getting involved in Bella’s competition and might meet

What should we do?”

anxiously clutched her

a way to

doesn’t get

you need to do is wait until Stella and

you as Stella’s mother, and we’ll be able to wrap

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