Chapter 161
“This is the perfect out for you right now,” Nate said coolly. “Take it while you still can. This talent showcase is being recorded, you know. Once it’s online, there’s no taking it back. You really want your most embarrassing moment living on the internet forever? Be the punchline to everyone’s jokes? Honestly, you should be thanking Kelly. If not for her, you’d be the laughingstock of the whole show.”
Wendy stared at him, stunned at how shameless he was. “So by your logic, Kelly dumping coffee all over Sharon was the right thing to do? We should be grateful to her for it?”
Nate didn’t flinch. “If you want to thank her, we won’t stop you. But don’t go blaming Kelly later just because you can’t pull it together onstage. We’re not taking the fall for that.”
Kelly tugged lightly at Nate’s sleeve, her voice soft. “Nate, let it go. I didn’t mean to, but… it was my fault.” 1
“You’re too kind, Kelly,” Nate said coldly, shooting a look at Sharon. “That’s exactly why people think they can walk all over you. Sharon, that’s enough. Kelly already apologized. Don’t drag this out. If your little drama ends up messing with Kelly or Theo’s performance, I won’t forgive you.”
Wendy looked like she’d just been hit with a frying pan. “Sharon… do they always do this? Twist the truth and actually convince themselves it’s real?”
Sharon nodded, completely unfazed. Clearly, this was nothing new to her.
Wendy let out a low whistle. “If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never believe people like this actually exist. To have their values more distorted than their faces…”
Nate wasn’t even embarrassed. If anything, he doubled down. “Everything I said is the truth.”
Sharon stayed calm. “Well, everything you just said-we recorded it. Should we upload it? Let the internet decide what the truth is?”
Nate’s expression changed instantly. “Don’t you dare post that online!”
Sharon tilted her head. “Why not? Scared people will hear you twisting the facts and call you out?”
“I’m not scared!” Nate barked.
“Then why not let me post it?” Her tone was light, but her eyes were sharp. “What, you don’t dare?”
His face turned red, but he still scrambled for an excuse. “There are kids here, okay? I just don’t want to involve them in adult matters and have them dragged into this mess!” 1
Wendy smiled. “Relax. I didn’t film a single kid. Just the adults. Oh, and don’t worry about image rights. I’ll blur out anyone who’s not involved.” 19
This time, Nate had no comeback.
“Enough.” The voice sliced through the tension like ice.
It was Carter, who had stayed silent up until now. “The showcase is about to begin. This isn’t the time for arguing.”
Wendy let out a cold laugh. “Wow. How touching. Where were you when Sharon was being attacked? Not a single word. But now that there’s nothing left to gain, now you speak up? What a warm, supportive family.”
Carter didn’t rise to her sarcasm. He turned to Sharon. “How do you want to resolve this?”
With time ticking down, Sharon didn’t bother dragging it out.
“Simple. Have her give me her dress. Whatever you want her to wear after that, however you plan to fix it, that’s your problem.
1/2
I’m not involved.”
Carter didn’t even hesitate. “That dress was custom-made for this performance. It matches Theo’s outfit. It can’t be given to
you.”
He paused, meeting her gaze. “Ask for something else.”
2/2
