Chapter 203 Too Late

Maurice didn’t just ignore Alfie–he blocked him.

Only after his meeting would he think about unblocking Alfie.

Alfie nearly blew a gasket.

“Unbelievable! I’ll just book a flight and beg Jude in person. If I wait until he’s back in Slosa, I’m completely screwed.”

Just as he was about to order a ticket, he got a message.

It was from Jude.

“Here’s your shot at redemption. Help me analyze something.”

He forwarded his chat with Tilda, covering it up with the classic “asking for a friend.”

Alfie almost laughed out loud.

Good thing it was over text.

If Jude saw his grin, Alfie would already be dead.

Seriously? The almighty DY boss suddenly fishing for relationship advice?

Yeah, no. This was clearly about him.

Still, Alfie knew this was his only chance to redeem himself.

So he played along.

“Isn’t it obvious? The girl’s already softening up. If the guy keeps showing he’s real, she’s basically his. If I’m wrong, chop off my head and use it as a soccer ball!”

Jude read it in silence.

His sharp, cold eyes softened, like winter thawing into spring.

Could it be true?

Was Tilda already touched by him?

For once, the icy CEO looked almost hopeful, light flickering in his gaze.

That night, Tilda and Una hit up Nightingale Bar.

“Cheers!”

They clinked glasses, grinning like complete idiots.

“I’m so freaking happy! The only thing missing is seeing Kyla’s jealous little face–ugh, that fake witch! I’ve imagined it a thousand times, but nothing beats seeing it in real life!”

Even in her excitement, that was Una’s one regret.

Tilda chuckled. “Forget about her tonight, Una. Let’s not let Kyla spoil the mood.”

“You’re right, Tilda. Beating her down was satisfying, but tonight’s about partying, not wasting time on that wannabe. Forget her!”

Right then, the band by the bar struck up a tune.

“Tilda, I’ve got another surprise for you.”

Una shot her a playful wink before strutting over to the stage. She waved at the band, signaling she wanted to sing.

Since everyone at Nightingale was a VIP, the band did not hesitate.

They passed her the mic and spotlight.

Una grinned and cleared her throat.

“This one’s for my ride–or–die, Tilda! And to celebrate her winning the national championship! Next stop, the world stage! Tilda’s gonna light it up even more! This song is for you!”

Thanks to a hit reality show, this old song Una wanted to sing had gone viral again–TikTok could not get enough of it.

Funny enough, it was also Una’s favorite back when she was hooked on watching dramas.

Tonight, it was the perfect way to show how much she adored her best friend.

And Una crushed it.

Her voice was sweet, clear, and crazy addictive.

She sang with so much energy that she even busted out some dance moves mid-song.

Tilda just sat there, smiling at her best friend, totally warmed by it.

Upstairs, Wade was watching everything unfold.

He had caught the whole live stream earlier and even voted for Tilda himself.

When her painting popped up, he was floored–completely speechless.

It was not just art.

He had never seen a painting so powerful, so overwhelming, that words could not even describe it.

It was not just a simple piece of art.

It felt more like a creation born from the fusion of souls, something that could steal away the spirit of anyone who laid eyes on it.

It was a masterpiece.

And then she won by a landslide.

Wade felt proud–genuinely proud–because this shining star on stage was his little sister.

With a little sister this amazing, how could he not feel proud?

However, mixed with that pride was a sharp sting.

Why hadn’t he ever tried to really know her before?

He realized he had no clue what Tilda loved, what drove her, or what talents she had been hiding all this time.

By the time he noticed, she was already dazzling the whole world.

By the time Wade regretted it, by the time he wanted to win back his sister and really get to know Tilda, it was already too late.

He even found himself jealous of Una, who was singing and dancing on stage, overjoyed.

Because as Tilda’s best friend, Una could be by her side without restraint, share in the things she loved, and understand her more and more.

That was a place Wade no longer had the right to stand in.