Deanna''s nails dug into her palms, her entire body trembling with the effort to stay still. Every fiber of her wanted to lunge at Ste-to wipe that infuriating calm off her face with one sharp p. But the crowd''s eyes were on them, and dignity was the only weapon she had left.


    Having weathered many storms in life, Deanna took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She knew that if today''s events got out, her reputation would be in tatters. All thanks to Ste, the troublemaker!


    "Ste," Deanna began, her voice sharp and cutting, "Keen has worked so hard for thispetition. Even if you weren''t invited to apany him, did you really have to go and ruin it for him? Besides, you don''t have a rich family background, nor do you have a fancy degree. We can''t just stand there on stage with Keen, can we?"


    Her words were like daggers,ying bare Ste''sck of pedigree and education, with zero concern for tact.


    In high society, pedigree and prestige were everything. Even outsiders could earn their ce-provided they brought undeniable brilliance to the table. Without it? Well, the whispers followed. In their world, you were either exceptional or invisible. Mediocrity wasn''t just frowned upon-it was erased.


    In their world, everyone was constantlyparing themselves to others, with intricate hierarchies of disdain. The elite looked down on those from different social standings. Those with prestigious backgrounds sneered at mere intellectuals. Intellectuals often mocked celebrities and models. And people like Ste, with seemingly nothing to their name, were at the very bottom, easy targets for everyone''s scorn.


    The crowd''s gaze turned disdainful as Deanna spoke, their eyes assessing Ste with newfound contempt. Was she really just a pretty face with no substance? How did she even be a part of the O''Brien family? Rumor had it she married Haynes because she was pregnant. Could it be she manipted her way in?


    Even if she had, surely she should have at least one redeeming feature. Yet, the picture painted was that of a dramatic soap opera scene.


    Ste, maintaining herposure, replied calmly, "Deanna, you must be joking. It wasn''t me trying to sabotage Keen''spetition; it was Ms. Pearce. She spilled coffee on my dress, making it impossible for me to continue in thepetition. She ruined my dress, so it''s only fair shepensates me with a new one," Ste continued. "And who told you I have no education or talent?"


    Deanna was furious at Ste''s audacity to speak to her like that but had to


    restrain her anger with so many eyes on them. "If you''re asking her to


    Once, Deanna''s barbs would''ve stung. Now, they barely registered-just noise against armor forged through years of her bullshit. "Deanna, let''s get one thing straight. It was Rachel who spilled coffee on me, not the other way around. And as forpetitions, why is Keen''s more important than anyone else''s? If Rachel can''tpete in a stained dress, why should I have topete in one she ruined?"


    Deanna was at a loss for words, pointing at Ste but unable to articte a response. Jasper chimed in, "You wouldn''t score well anyway, so going on stage would just be a waste of time. You might even embarrass yourself, and then Haynie would have to clean up your mess."