Ste had to admit, her own reasoning felt a little flimsy, but she truly couldn''te up with a better exnation.


    Abby pressed on, "By the way, did you tell Keen about this?"


    Ste shook her head. "No, I don''t n to tell him for now. This is between me and Haynes—it''s not something a child needs to be dragged into. Besides, I don''t want to tip Haynes off. I''d rather wait and see what he''s really after. Worst case, I''ll just be extra careful with anything Keen brings me from now on."


    Abby couldn''t help but admire Ste''sposure. If she were in Ste''s shoes, staying calm would be out of the question.


    ***


    The day of thepetition arrived sooner than expected.


    Thanks to the organizers'' mediation, all the contestants had agreed to return. Their goal in withdrawing earlier was to manipte rankings and grab attention, not because they truly wanted to quit. If they''d actually left, they''d have lost their leverage entirely. If they really had that much backbone, they wouldn''t have yed these little games in the first ce.


    This was Ste''s first public appearance since the scandal, and all eyes were on her.


    The venue was packed to the rafters. In previous rounds, there were always tickets left unsold, but this time they''d vanished in a sh—and even scalpers were prowling outside. The livestream hadn''t even started, yet nearly a million viewers were already online, waiting.


    Howard Shaw looked out over the sea of people filling every seat, aplicated expression on his face. He sighed, “No wonder so many directors chase after viral stars these days. The perks of sheer poprity-hard not to be tempted."


    As soon as Ste stepped into the venue, a horde of reporters descended on her like a flock of vultures. Abby quickly stepped in, shielding Ste from the worst of the crowd. Neville Connolly''s hired security guards moved in, pushing back the surging press to keep Ste safe.


    Questions flew in from every direction, relentless and sharp as arrows.


    “Ms. Cameron, Miss Felipa was penalized because of you, yet you''ve never publicly apologized. Don''t you think that''s incredibly arrogant?"


    "Ms. Cameron, we''ve heard you were in a car ident and injured your hand. Is it really possible to recover so quickly? Are you even fit topete?"


    "Some say you have powerful connections behind the scenes—otherwise, the organizers wouldn''t have bent the rules just for you..."


    The questions grew more pointed


    with every passing second. It was as if these reporters wouldn''t stop until they gushed Ste into losing her cool or caught something O scandalous on camera.


    Yet, faced with their barrage, Ste remained perfectly calm; not a hint of agitation flickered across her face. Suddenly, a shrill voice cut through the din.


    "Well, well, after having all the other contestants petition for your removal, you''ve still got the nerve to show up? That kind of thick skin is something else!"


    Ste nced in the direction of the voice. A young woman, probably in her early twenties, stood holding a microphone, looking smugly defiant. When Ste''s gaze met hers, the reporter''s mouth curled with disdain and triumph.


    "I mean, why bother with thepetition at all?" she continued, loudly enough for everyone to hear. "The


    winner''s already been decided behind closed doors, hasn''t it?”


    “Don''t listen to her, Star,” Abby whispered. “She''s just trying to get a rise out of you."


    Ste nodded. "I know."


    She ignored the reporter and, surrounded by Abby and the others, made her way into the main hall.


    Joshua Gardner arrived alongside


    them. Thanks to Mr. Burton''s careful treatment, Joshua was recovering quickly. He wasn''t fully healed yet, but as long as he avoided fights or strenuous activity, he could go about his daily life just fine.