Abby grinned. "No wonder I haven''t seen Mr. Richards aroundtely. Turns out you''ve been working in Sandford!"


    Foreman smiled. "That''s right. Most of the Richards family''s businesses are based here in Sandford. The O''Brien Group, on the other hand, has most of its operations in Neo-Vespera. There''s a lot of coboration between the Richards Group and the O''Brien Group, so I end up splitting my time between both cities for most of the year."


    Abby replied, "Thispetition is going tost about a month. We''ll be relying on you, Mr. Richards."


    Foreman''s voice was warm. "You and Star are both friends of mine. It''s no trouble at all. Sandford is a tourist city-tomorrow, I''ll show you around."


    Abby brightened. "Sounds great! Star''s been swampedtely-if she wasn''t at apetition, she was performing at concerts. She''s barely had any time to rx." She turned to Ste. "Star, you''ve never been to Sandford before, have you?"


    Ste shook her head. "No, I haven''t. There are a lot of cities in Novaris I''ve never visited."


    Before she turned eighteen, her life revolved around studying. Afterwards, she left for college in Solmaris. She had only just returned to Neo-Vespera after graduation when she met Haynes, got pregnant, and married him. Ever since, she''d been at home, raising their child. She truly had never taken a real vacation.


    Foreman spoke, almost offhandedly, "You know, Haynie used to travel all over for work-flying to different countries and cities all the time. But he never actually got to sightsee; he''d finish up business ande right home, rarely staying even a day longer. Later on, though, he did start traveling more-with Rachel..."


    Foreman''s voice trailed off, as if he''d just realized he''d said the wrong thing.


    Ste and Abby''s expressions cooled. After what happenedst time, whatever small sense of goodwill Abby had begun to feel towards Haynes vanishedpletely.


    Foreman hurried to change the subject. "By the way, where''s Joshua? He''s usually right by Star''s side. I thought he''de with you this time."


    Ste answered, "Joshua took some time off. He needs a break."


    Foreman grinned. "Don''t tell me he''s gone home to start a romance?" Abby snorted. "I doubt it. He told me the other day he''s still single."


    Foreman looked surprised. "Really? Not long ago, he and Simone were practically joined at the hip—meeting up almost every day. I assumed they''d started dating.”


    Abby had never liked Aurora, and


    she liked Aurora''s best friend Simone even less. Every time Simone spoke to Joshua, she''d deliberately ignore Ste, as if She wasn''t even there. Even when she approached Ste, it was always with the intention of prying Joshua away from her. Trying to steal someone''s friend right in front of them—it was hard to stomach.


    Abby said, "No way. Joshua would never go for someone like her."


    Ste didn''t want to gossip about other people''s business, so she smoothly changed the subject. "Let''s get back to the hotel and rest. We still have to check in at thepetition venueter."


    No one protested, and the conversation died down.


    Sandford wasn''t far from Neo-Vespera-just a two-hour flight. After lunch,


    Foreman personally drove Ste and Abby to thepetition hall.


    There were three days set aside for check-in, but most contestants arrived on the first day. It gave them a chance to settle in, get ustomed to the environment, recover from any jetg, and maybe even do some sightseeing in Sandford.


    The venue was packed. Contestants from all over the world mingled and chatted,


    the atmosphere buzzing with excitement.


    But the moment Ste and Abby stepped inside, every conversation abruptly fell silent.