Chapter 162

“I hope you’re enjoying the luncheon, Felicia,” I said pleasantly, raising my glass. “Is your family here?”

Felicia visibly blanched. “I’m afraid they didn’t come.”

“At all?”

She shook her head, her gaze falling to her lap. Pushing her glasses up her nose, I saw her lower lip quiver. “No. They assumed I would lose.”

My chest clenched. “Why would they assume that?” I asked. “Your speech was phenomenal, you answered every question with grace, your overseas charity work was incredibly impressive, and your work as a local school teacher for inner-city kids is commendable.”

Felicia paused, drawing a breath. She opened and closed her mouth, then turned to me with a sad smile. “I’m not… pretty,” she said softly.

“Felicia—”

“I mean, look at me,” she cut me off, gesturing to herself. “I’m short and a bit chubby, I wear glasses, my hair is frizzy, my nose is too big, and I have a bit of a lisp. It’s okay; I’m not upset. It’s just… one would typically assume I wouldn’t win a competition like this.”

My mouth frowned. “None of those things make someone unattractive, Felicia,” I said gently, placing my hand over hers. “I see a bright, beautiful young woman with a kind heart. And frankly…”

I lowered my voice, leaning closer. “I think you have a gorgeous body. I wish I were as curvy as you. Your hair is beautiful and vibrant, and I’d love to see it down. Your glasses are cute, your nose speaks to your heritage, and your lisp makes you stand out. Who told you any of that isn’t beautiful?”

Felicia flushed and bit her lip, looking away. “A lot of people,” she admitted with a wry laugh. “But… that means a lot, Luna Hannah. Thank you.”

I grinned and patted her hand. “Besides,” I said, “I know you’ll use that reward money well.”

She nodded vehemently. “Oh, yes. I already have plans to use the funds to buy new equipment for my school’s classrooms, and…”

Over the next half hour, Felicia and I chatted nonstop; she was a sweet and intelligent young woman, and I was glad she had won.

However, I was curious who Noah voted for. Did he vote for Felicia, or someone else? I wanted to ask, but I hadn’t seen him. In fact, I was also curious who Zoe voted for, but I hadn’t seen her either. Only Drake remained, chatting animatedly with a stagehand in the corner.

Frowning, I searched for my husband. When I didn’t find him in the crowd, I rounded the corner to the bathrooms, wondering if he was there.

And that’s when I saw them: Noah and Zoe, huddled at the end of the hallway… their heads bent close, their hands gesturing wildly.

“She… I don’t… I know…”

I could only make out fragments of their conversation, but something felt unsettling. Pressing myself against the corner, I peered around to watch, straining to hear.

Then Zoe’s head snapped up, her nostrils flaring. “Quiet, Noah,” she commanded, raising her hand. “We’re being watched.”