Chapter 0229


    Abby


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    The stage lights are blinding, but I try to focus on the announcer standing across from me. His voice


    reverberates through the microphone as he begins his script.


    “Ladies and Gentlemen… Wee to the annual Alpha party cookingpetition! I’m your host,


    Heinrich Williams, and today I’m proud to announce…”


    One by one, the contestants and judges are introduced. Their faces are projected onto giant screens


    that hang above us, and with each announcement, the audience cheers and apuds excitedly. The


    announcer then asks each person a couple of questions, giving them time to promote themselves


    before the show begins.


    As I’m waiting for my turn, though, all I can feel is crippling, soul-crushing fear. How do I look? How will


    the audience respond? What will I say when it’s my turn to talk? I wasn’t expecting all of this, and all I


    can think is that maybe if I had showed up on time this morning, maybe I wouldn’t be feeling so


    unprepared.


    But all the while, Karl stands beside me, steady as a rock. When I nce over at him, I catch his brown


    eyes glinting in the light of the stage lights, and something about it is grounding.


    In an odd way, I’m almost d to have him here. I thought that it would be a disaster not to have John


    by my side, but this feels like a happy ident. My wolf roils inside of me at his presence, attracted to


    his scent and closeness as if he’s a lifeline in a stormy sea.


    “And now,” the announcer booms, pulling me back to reality, “a chef who captured your hearts with her


    interview yesterday. With her unconventional staff and eloquent words about inclusivity in the culinary


    world—please give a warm wee to Abby!”


    Suddenly, the crowd erupts into cheers, louder and more excitedly than I could have ever imagined.


    I blink in surprise.


    Signs, actual signs with my name on them, being held up by people in the audience. The word ‘Abby’ is


    written in colorful letters, hearts dotting the ‘i’ in phrases like “Go Abby!” and “Team Abby”.


    I feel Karl nudge my arm gently, a signal for me to step forward. My shoes click against the stage floor


    as I move stiffly toward the microphone, my heart still racing but now in a different way than before.


    Is it true? Do people… really like me?


    “Wee, Abby,” the announcer says with a wide grin as I approach, outstretching his arm. “Say a few


    words for your fans.”


    As I lean in, ready to speak, my eyes drift across the stage andnd on Daniel. He’s stationed a few


    yards from me, and I can see the disdain etched into his features, his lips curling into a sneer.


    For a fleeting second, I wonder if I should adjust my speech to throw shade his way. It would be so


    satisfying, to see his sneer turn into a pout, to see his shoulders slump in defeat as he gets called out


    publicly for his nastyments.


    But I can’t; that’s not me, and it’s definitely not why I’m here. Why stoop to her level?


    I draw a deep breath and let it out slowly, steadying myself by gripping the mic tightly.


    “Wow,” I breathe, my voice bouncing back at me from the echo in the room in a jarring way. There’s a


    bit of mic feedback from standing too close, and the room falls silent. All eyes are on me. I clear my


    throat, feeling my face get unbearably hot.


    But Daniel and the judges aren’t the only ones here. I nce up, seeing the signs that my ‘fans’ are


    holding up, the grins on their faces. Updated at Drаmanovels


    I see Vanessa sitting with the other judges, a cool but supportive look in her eyes.


    I see Karl standing by himself, hands in his pockets, nodding slowly at me.


    And up ahead, I see a little girl.