Chapter 61 A Once–in–a–Lifetime Opportunity

“I heard it’s for a new reality show.”

“No way, they’reing bto /bour ss!”

“For real. I heard it straight from the homeroom teacher…”

#Finished

The buzz of scattered chatter filtered into Jean’s ears as she strolled into the ssroom, backpack slung casually over one shoulder.

Her sudden appearance made the noisy room fall dead silent.

All heads turned. Every single pair of eyes locked on her.

Jean had been out on medical leave for a few days–long enough that most of her ssmates had nearly forgotten she even

existed.

Now bthat /bshe was back, her quiet reappearance threw everyone off for a beat.

Jean, unfazed, ignored the curious and judging bstares/b. She made her way to her seat without a word.

After setting down her bag, she looked up–and instantly met Asher’s gaze.

The boy was turned slightly in his seat, his dark eyes fixed steadily on her.

For a brief second, Jean thought she saw it–concern.

He was checking on her.

Thest time they’d seen each other was at the Vienna Hotel. Not long after that, she’d vanished.

She’d imed she bwas /bout sick, but being gone this long? Asher clearly wasn’t buying the “simple cold” story.

Jean gave him a bsmall /bsmile, curving the corners of her lips softly.

Asher blinkedb, /bas if surprised she would smile at him at all. His usually cool and unreadable face shed with something else -something almost startled.

He quickly looked baway/bb, /bhis expression stiff, and turned his body back to face the front.

Jean took her seat.

And right on cue-

“Should’ve just stayed on sick leave. The bair’s /bbeen so much fresher without someone stinking it up.”

A sneering voice drifted over from behind herb. /b

“Seriously, one look at that face and my day’s ruined.”

“Of all the bdays /btoe bback/b, of course it’s today. Bet she heard about the big news and rushed in, hoping to get in on

“Talk about shameless.”

fean tuned it all out. That kind of petty sniping didn’t even register anymore.

What did catch her interest, thoughb, /bwas what they bsaid/b–this big news they thought she’d returned for.

Chapter 61 A Cnce–in–alfetime Opportunity

“Yeah.” Asher nodded. “Word is. Taylor’sing

Jean blinked.

Taylor

Finished

She did recognize the name one of the biggest names in reality TV. The guy had created some of the most–watched national shows in the country

But why bthe /bhell was heing to Sterford Academy

“To do what?” she asked, lowering her voice even more.

“He’s casting for a new show. Asher replied simply “Looking for students around our age. They be bringing in actual high schoolers this time”

Now it made sense.

No wonder the ssroom was buzzing louder than a ho’s nest.

Even after the bell rang, no one had stopped whispering, specting, gossiping.

This was a rare shot.

These rich kids had money, clout, and ess, sure–but Taylor’s shows weren’t something you could just buy your war inc.

Even some of the biggest entertainment families had tried and failed to get their kids

his

programs.

Now, Taylor wasing here to handpick students?

This was a once–in–a–lifetime opportunity.

“I thought I heard someone say he wasing to our ss specifically?” Jean asked, raising an eyebrow.

Asher paused for a moment, then gave a small shake of his head. “Not sure. Maybe.”

Right thenb, /ba loud voite brang /bout behind them.

“Where’s Mr. Taylor? Didn’t the teacher say he bwas /bing to our ss?”

“Chill out, man. It’s not like he’s flying in on a helicopter”

“I’m not the one freaking out. The one sweating bullets is definitely Lacey.”

At thatb, /bseveral students turned to nce toward the center of the room.

Lacey sat prim and poised in the middle row, glowing from head to toe.

Her cheeks were rosy. Her eyes sparkled. Her blips /btwitched in an almost involuntary smile. She was bclearly /bhaving a great day.

“Lacey, if byou /bblow up, don’t forget about us,” someone teased.

“I can’t believe it. bTaylor’s /bing here for you. You’ve made it.”

Lacey bgave /ba demure little shrug. “I don’t know that he’s here for me…”

But she couldn’t hide it

The glee practically radiated off her. She looked like she was floating

“Come on. The teacher said he’s here to find someone for his new show–and the person he noticed was the female lead

Chapter 4 Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

“Please! If you get in, your whole life changes. You said you wanted to be famous, right? This is your chance.”

“If you pop off, don’t forget to get bus /bsome autographs.”

At that moment, the entire ss wasser–focused on Lacey.

She’d instantly be the bcenter /bof attention–the future reality star who might be about to blow up.

“Once you’re a celebrity, we’ll be name–dropping like crazy. Oh yeah, Lacey? She was in my ss. Instant clout!”

Lacey basked in it all chin lifted ever so slightly.

Jean leaned back in her seat, brows furrowed.

Finished

So that was what this was about. Taylor, the reality TV giant, was supposedly interested in the Hope Cup performance–and especially, its leadingdy.

Fanny she thought, the lead sang with someone else’s voice.

bSend /bGifts