The thought made Alice’s blood boil. Desperate to save face, she moved forward, intending to insert herself into one of the Rolls-Royces—only then would she feel at ease.
But before she could act, Hera and her group were already being escorted by her bodyguards. They moved swiftly, forming a wall around Hera and her friends, effectively blocking Alice from slipping in.
It was as if they could read her mind. Thepetition staff, having already witnessed "his mon amour" seatedfortably in a Rolls-Royce, knew better than to intervene. He simply pulled Alice’s two massive 40-kilogram suitcases—as if she nned to settle in for a month—and loaded them into the ck nanny van. With Alice still frozen in frustration, he finally nudged her inside, instructed the driver to go, and gestured for the convoy of luxury cars behind them to follow.
Just as Alice expected, the moment the ck van pulled up in front of the hotel, a swarm of reporters and paparazzi rushed forward. Microphones were shoved in her face, and camera shutters clicked in rapid session. But the excitement quickly died down when they realized it was only Alice. Some of the bolder reporters even peeked into the van, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone more newsworthy.
Those familiar with the contestant list, who knew Alice came in second to the much-anticipated Andarta Aria, immediately lost interest. A few half-hearted questions were thrown her way, more out of obligation than enthusiasm, before the crowd quickly dispersed.
Meanwhile, the hotel staff, who had been instructed to help with Alice’s luggage, stood near the rear of the van, behind which was thepetition staff, waiting for Hera and the others to arrive.
They’d given Alice a moment to enjoy her screen time, assuming she’d soak up the spotlight. But to everyone’s surprise—especially Alice’s—the so-called interview ended in mere minutes, with no fanfare.
And then, Hera’s convoy pulled in.
When Hera and her group arrived, the reporters surged forward, ready to bombard them with questions just as they had with Alice. But the moment Hera stepped out, her razor-sharp gaze swept across the crowd, cutting through the noise like a de.
Instantly, the reporters froze, their microphones hovering uncertainly in the air. Hermanding presence and piercing eyes made it clear—this wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
Without a word, the reporters instinctively stepped back, their tone shifting from aggressive to respectful. They didn’t dare push her boundaries, but they also couldn’t ignore the opportunity in front of them. They might not recognize the girls apanying Hera, but from their poised demeanor and the fleet of luxury cars behind them, it was obvious—they were important.
Just as the tension hung in the air, one of the reporters suddenly gasped and eximed—
"Eh?! Isn’t she the Barcelona Racing Champion?" one reporter suddenly blurted out. "Wait a second, I know there’s a race happening tomorrow, but it’s not even in Paris! What’s she doing here—don’t tell me she’s attending the jewelrypetition too?"
The remark stunned the crowd into silence for a beat before a wave of realization hit them. In an instant, the reporters scrambled forward again, microphones raised and cameras shing. Even if they couldn’t get an exclusive scoop on the elusive rising star of the jewelry world, Andarta Aria, getting an interview with a female racing champion was just as headline-worthy.
After all, car racing was a male-dominated sport, and a female champion was not only rare butmanded immense respect, easily worthy of front-page coverage. She could just as well be featured in a top-tier women’s magazine celebrating powerful and sessful women across different fields.
If they managed tond an interview with this female racer now, their scoop would be a guaranteed hit. They might even meet their monthly quota in one go, or earn amendation from their editors.
Realizing this, the reporters instantly forgot their earlier hesitation, undeterred even by Hera’s sharp, intimidating gaze. Hera, meanwhile, was a bit taken aback. These reporters were like hungry wolves who had just caught the scent of fresh prey.
Fortunately, Hera had brought her bodyguards with her. Without needing a single word from her, they immediately stepped in to clear a path for Hera and her friends. Still, some paparazzi had already managed to snap clear shots of her, and within minutes, her photos were all over the inte—even reaching her home country.
It quickly became public knowledge that Hera would be participating in the next 2 day’s race. At the same time, spection surged about why she was staying at the same hotel as the contestants of the IGI Expressions Competition Finale. As a result, Hera’s name once again dominated the trending topics, stirring both excitement and curiosity.
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Thank you, Windwa1ker and Shell_Rodriguez, for the Golden Ticket! (?ε?? )