Chapter 23
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The surprise e was palpable in the air as Matthew watched her on stage, a revtion in every sense of
the word. Never had he known she could sing, and so beautifully at that. Dressed in a stunning evening
gown under the dazzling spotlight, she resembled a radiant superstar, eliciting uncontroble screams
from the audience. The shy girl who usually hovered in his shadow seemed to have transformed
completely. It was mesmerizing.
Xanthea?
Miranda reeled back in disbelief when the mask was lifted, her face draining of color as she staggered,
nearly falling over. Jealousy and hatred swelled within her, uncontroble and fierce.
How could it be Xanthea? How could she appear on “The Masked Singer”? Before the contest, hadn’t
Xanthea helped her write songs and wished her victory? And when it mattered most, Xanthea had
snatched the championship right from her hands. It must have been deliberate, a ploy to crush her and
bask in her superior vanity. That wretch!
Why would Xanthea do this? Wasn’t everything she already had enough-wealth, family, friends,
ssmates, and Matt’s attention? Did Xanthea know how much she had sacrificed for this day? She
despised Xanthea!
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“Ms. Nightshade?” Cedric’s jaw dropped upon seeing Xanthea, almost tumbling from his seat. More
than shock, his heart was filled with sorrow.
He had hoped that a new goddess would divert Orion’s attention, allowing him to move past his
unrequited love for Ms. Nightshade. But fate had cruelly looped back to her. It seemed Orion was
destined to fall for her.
Oliver grabbed the microphone, “Xan is my niece, and her participation in ‘The Masked Singer’ caught
me off guard but delighted me. I’m amazed by her courage to step up a wild card contestant and by her
talent in clinching this stage. Congrattions, Xan!”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Xanthea’s eyes twinkled with joy.
The host then announced, “Now, please wee the major sponsor of this season, M Orion
Lockwood, CEO of the TOYUM Group, to present our champion, Ms. Xanthea, wit the honorary crown!”
A spotlight suddenly illuminated the VVIP seat, casting light on Orion’s noble andposed figure,
provoking waves of gasps and cheers from the female audience. “Oh my gosh, he’s so handsome!” “Is
he really a CEO and not an actor?” “Is this really ‘The Masked Singer’ or just a feast for the eyes?”
As everyone’s eyes turned to the sponsor’s seat, Xanthea’s gaze inadvertently met Orion’s She
couldn’t shake off the feeling that he had recognized her long before, watching from the shadows.
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Their paths seemed intertwined, destined to meet here of all ces.
The crown for “The Masked Singer” finale was a masterpiece, intertwined with vines and adorned with
thousands of pearls, perfectly matching her gown’s theme.
Orion stepped forward, his tall, impressive figure overshadowing her on the stage.
Xanthea looked up and smiled brightly, “Mr. Lockwood, we meet again.”
“Indeed, Ms. Nightshade.”
As if dazzled by her smile, Orion’s gaze briefly flinched, then focused on the radiant crown. He carefully
lifted the crown, gently cing it on her elegantly styled hair, as if fearing the sharp jewels might snag a
strand.
Hearing him call her ‘Ms. Nightshade, Xanthea couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. The stark. contrast to
the more intimate ‘Xan’ he once used made her curious and yful, eager to explore the man behind
the facade.
She tiptoed, teasing, “Did you use the ointment I gave youst time?”
Orion momentarily lost himself in her stunning presence, his hand slipping from the crown to her neck,
appearing almost as if he were about to pull her into a kiss.
Oliver, observing from the side, overheard their familiar and somewhat intimate exchange, surprised,
“Xan, you know Mr. Lockwood?”
Xanthea nodded, “Yes, we’ve known each other for some time.”
“Really? You never mentioned that before.”
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