Chapter 25 He’s Looking at Me

bAmid /bher swirling thoughts, the Hope Cup finals bbegan/b..

+8 Pearls

“Jean, hurry up and put on your costume!” Lacey sharplymanded, pointing at the cumbersome costume piled in the backstage corner.

Everyone else had already finished their makeup, faces glowing with excitement, eagerly anticipating Jean’s appearance in the ridiculous tree costume. Quiet chuckles echoed softly through the group.

Jean didn’t move. After a brief pause, she reached beneath a nearby btable /band pulled out a bag she’d prepared earlier.

“What’s that?”

All eyes turned curiously toward her.

With a subtle smile, Jean opened the bag, revealing a flowing, forest–green gown.

I thought the original costume didn’t bquite /bmatch my style,” Jean raised an eyebrow, her smile growing brighter. “So, I designed something myself.”

She couldn’t bear wearing the cumbersome, rounded tree costume after all. Even if she’d initially thought she could endure it just once for the finals, bthe /bidea felt increasingly unbearable. So, she’d spent bthe /bprevious night making ba /bcostume more suited to her tastes.

Silence settled over the group.

Finally, Lacey snappedb, /bbfrustration /bbevident /bon her face. “Jean, what do byou /bthink you’re doing? Who gave you permission to change costumesb?/b”

“Jean, this y was carefully nned! You can’t just improvise like this!” others joined in, scolding her.

b“/bbAre /byou kidding me? Do byou /bbthink /bbyou’re /bspecial? This isn’t a game!”

Their teacher looked troubled, turning uncertainly toward Jean, “Jean, there’s really no need for this-”

Holding tightly to her dress, Jean’s voice was firm. “My outfit better matches the theme. If I can’t wear it, I won’t perform”

Lacey clenched her fingers, irritation boiling within her. Her ns bhad /bbeen disrupted. She’d thought Jean would obediently y along, but now she was cornered by Jean’s unexpected stubbornness. If Jean refused bto /bperform, the consequences would

be disastrous.

bAfter /ba tense bmoment/b, Lacey exhaled slowly. “Fine, suit yourself.”

?

Seeing Lacey relent, others quickly changed their tone. “Just don’t embarrass yourself! Your rags aren’t better than our

costumes.

bIgnoring /bthem, Jean slipped into the dressing room. She changed into the forest–green bgown /bshe’d made and ced ban /belegant crown of bleaves /bon her head. bExamining /bherself in the mirror, Jean smiled, satisfied. She looked more like ba /bwoond sprite than a ridiculous tree.

When she reappeared, silence fell again.

Lacey and her bfriends /bopened their mouths to bspeak /bbut froze, their eyes widening in surprise bas /bthey took in Jean’s

appearance

Before anyone couldment, staff arrived. “Your turn ising up. Get bready/b!”

Apple of tension spread. Faces tightened anxiously. For these teenagers, performing on such a grand stage for the first time

undeniably nerve–wracking

Jean luwever, felt calm. Her true purpose today was not the performance itself but unraveling the mystery behind the metal

7:41 PM

Chapter 25 He’s Looking at Me

+B Pearls

The audience stretched far into the distance, a sea of eager faces. Cameras stood ready to broadcast live, capturing every

moment.

In the front row sat the judges–mostly elderly men and women Jean didn’t recognize. But in the center sat a dazzling young

bman /b

Jean blinked.

It was her second brother, Easton.

His silky hair shimmered bunder /bthe lights, his stunningly beautiful features mesmerizing. Jean mused that he looked bexactly /bbhow /bmythical sirens were described–almost otherworldly in his allure.

The Ginger family was undeniably blessed with remarkable beauty, Jean thought wryly, though she herself was ban /bunrted imposter. Right now, she felt more like a in potato among swans.

As if sensing her gaze. Easton suddenly looked over.

Jean startled as their eyes met.

Easton smiled softly, braising /bhis hand in a gentle wave.

Immediately, piercing shrieks erupted beside her.

“Oh my bgod/b! Easton’s waving at me!”

“No way, he’s waving at me!”

Only Jean knew the truth–Easton had waved specifically at her.

The beautiful man quickly refocused ahead, leaving Jean’s ssmates still buzzing with bexcitement/b.

“He’s so gorgeous!”

“I could die happy now…”

As they continued swooningb, /bthe y finally began.

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