Summer walked into the bistro, following the waiter to a cozy private booth.


    Inside, there was just one person, head buried in a smartphone, obscuring their face.


    Narrowing her eyes slightly, Summer shut the door behind her with a soft click.


    The sound made the woman at the table look up. "You''rete."


    It was Heather''s cousin, Michelle.


    Michelle put away her phone and swept her wavy hair over her shoulders, motioning to the seat across from her.


    Summer recognized Michelle from "Country Comfort," and she also remembered her as a Parkside High School alum. Still, she hadn''t expected an invite from someone she barely knew.


    Pulling out the chair, Summer sat down leisurely, taking off her face mask and cap and setting them aside.


    Michelle rested her hands on the table''s edge, her eyes fixed on Summer. "It''s a shame, really. All that talent of yours, just wasting away because your agency shelved you."


    A brief frown creased Summer''s forehead, a hint of frost in her eyes. Just a D-list actress with zero acting chops, who did she think she was, talking down to her?


    If it weren''t for the cklisting, Michelle wouldn''t dare have this attitude.


    Summer took a deep breath to quell her irritation. "What do you want?"


    Michelle pursed her crimson lips and took a sip of her fancy coffee. "I actually wanted to ask you something. You and Juztin used to be close, right?"


    Summer''s expression didn''t change. "I''m pretty sure you''ve seen what the inte says. Do you really need to ask?"


    The implication was clear-was there really any question about it?


    Michelle could sense Summer''s impatience. Maybe if they had met when Summer was still a rising star, she would''ve been more polite. But now... things were different.


    "Just double-checking," Michelle leaned back, her face smug, a far cry from her sweet demeanor on live streams.


    "To gloat, maybe?" Summer''s lips curled slightly.


    "You''ve got it wrong. Since we''re both from the same high school and I''m technically your senior, I thought it wouldn''t hurt to be friends," Michelle said with a smile.


    Summer''s perfectly made-up face remained cool, her eyes not missing the insincerity. "If you''ve got something to ask, just say it. No need to beat around the bush."


    "I want to know about Juztin''s sister," Michelle said, dropping her earlier disdain.


    After seeing Summer''s file from her cousin, Michelle had been wanting to chat for a while but had been too busy. Now, back in Ashford, she seized the chance.


    Summer had thought Michelle might be digging for info about Leo, but the question about Mirabe took her by surprise. After pondering for a few seconds, she replied, "Why are you asking about her?"


    Michelle''s gaze turned icy, not bothering to hide her disdain. "Because she''s incredibly annoying."


    She thought if Summer hadn''t been caught up in the scandal of stealing Juztin''s music, their rtionship must be strained. Otherwise, Summer could have been the one bringing a rtive to "Country Comfort."


    Taken aback, Summer showed a sh of surprise.


    She had only watched a bit of the live show, afraid it would make her angry, and hadn''t known about the tension between Michelle, Heather, and Mirabe on the show.