?Chapter 489:
Maia seized the moment to remove her disguise. With deliberate grace, she lifted the hat from her head and slowly peeled away her mask, unveiling features that radiated refined elegance.
Marisa froze momentarily before arching an eyebrow in recognition. “Well, well, it truly is her.”
Her gaze immediately darted across the stage, seeking Mnie, who hovered indecisively in a shadowed corner, caught in the limbo between escape and confrontation. Without warning, fingers mped around Mnie’s wrist, eliciting a startled gasp. Despite her instinct to pull away, she found herself firmly guided toward Maia by a determined Marisa.
“Time to honor your bet,” Marisa dered with a triumphant smile, folding her arms across her chest in anticipation.
The students of the elite preparatory program had gravitated toward themotion, forming a curious circle. Several recognized Maia from previous school visits and gasped in astonishment.
“Look, everyone — it’s Ethan’s sister, Maia!”
A ripple of excitement coursed through the gathered students. “Isn’t she the mysteriousposer K? Her melodies are absolute treasures in our household!”
“Seeing her in person today — such poise and beauty!”
“That’s definitely her! And there’s more to the story… She’s also MCN’s principal designer! MCN has been making headlines since acquiring Aurora Apparel Company. They’re destined to dominate the national fashion industry!”
“Never imagined Ethan’s sister would possess such striking beauty and remarkable talent! Truly heaven-blessed! I’d give anything for a photograph with her…”
The chorus of student voices swelled, their excitement drawing inquisitive looks from venue staff across the hall.
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Trapped at the center of this unexpectedmotion,prehension finally dawned on Mnie’s face as she grasped Marisa’s intentions. Color fled then flooded herplexion in rapid session, her skin cycling through rming shades of crimson and ghostly white.
She also heard the students’ments. Inwardly, bitter realization crystallized into seething thoughts. Ethan’s sistermanded that level of respect and admiration? That damn Rosanna! How could she tell her lies about Ethan’s supposed slum origins?
Now, Mnie was going to face a public humiliation. She swore that she would definitely not let this go!
Noticing Mnie’s vacant expression, Marisa delivered a pointed tap to her shoulder. “Earth to Mnie — what’s upying that mind of yours? Hurry up and honor the bet!”
Mnie snapped back to reality, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as she stared at Maia — who stood there like she had just stepped off a red carpet. She looked every bit the star people whispered about. Maybe they weren’t exaggerating. Maybe admitting her mistakes and offering an apology to Maia wouldn’t be as unbearable as she had imagined.
But still, apologizing in public was something she couldn’t bring herself to do. No, she couldn’t.
Up on stage, the air thickened, tension stretching like a wire about to snap.
Mnie’s fists curled at her sides, fingers digging into her palms. Her eyes burned — not from tears, but from everything else boiling inside her.
The conflicting feelings of swallowing her pride while struggling to maintain her dignity churned violently within her, leaving her scalp tingling and her pride in tatters.
She had never felt so humiliated in her life.
Still, she stayed silent, lips pressed together, face pale and defiant. That only gave Marisa more fuel. Grinning, Marisa tilted her head and teased, “Mnie, everyone’s watching. You’re not seriously trying to bail on this, are you?”
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