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Claire behaved,quietly finishing her soup.
I shaped my sticky rice cakes into a daisy—taste might fail,but looks could compensate.
According to the rules,nine lucky members from the audience would taste our dishes and rate them.
The screen displayed their seat numbers as they came up.
I knew this was rigged.The audience wouldn’t all favor Claire,but she would most definitely win in the end.
Though I wasn’t confident about my cakes,losing without a fight stung.
As the host prepared to call the ninth person,the director signaled her.
She paused,listening to her earpiece,then announced excitedly:
“A VIP will be our ninth lucky guy.He’s backstage now—let’s count downfrom ten and give him the warmest welcome!”
10,9,8,7...
As numbers on the screen ticked down,my nerves spiked.Who was this big star?
When he appeared,I froze.It was him.
The mysterious person was Nathan Sterling.
In a sharp suit,his polished black shoes gleaming,he strode onto the stage with confidence.
His face, more chiseled and even more handsome than the eighteen-year-old I met,exuded raw charisma.
He was truly captivating.
My heart ached.This man,bound to me by my potion at eighteen,was now someone else’s husband.
Though he ate it by mistake,shouldn’t he at least owe his “ex” some explanation?
If he offered a fat check like a stereotypical CEO,I’d consider lifting the potion.I felt a twinge of guilt,after all.
Then it all clicked—Nathan was here to negotiate about the potion’s removal.
But something was off.It was a full moon tonight.If he had indeed betrayed me,the potion’s backlash should have him writhing in agony now.Why was he standing here,perfectly fine?
Had my potion failed?
As my thoughts went wild,Nathan’s appearance sent the crowd and online fans into a frenzy:
[Nathan’s here!He’s backing Claire!]
[No wonder Claire made mushroom soup—she knew he would show up.]
[He never does entertainment shows.He’s here to protect his wife from Mara’s bullying.]
But Claire didn’t seem to agree.Panic flashed across her face.
She quickly composed herself,flashing a practiced smile and approaching Nathan.
But before she could reach him,the host, eager to get things under control,had already swooped in.
Nathan wasn’t just a lucky audience now—he had stolen the spotlight.
Ignoring the host’s flattery,Nathan walked straight to me,picked up a sticky rice cake,and popped it in his mouth.
His move shocked everyone.A smart alec commented explaining:
[Got it.He’s cutting Mara down before defending his wife—probably a zero score.]
But Nathan’s next words stunned them: “Delicious!”
I stared,unblinking,thinking,Smooth move,Casanova.Butter me up before the negotiation.
Claire pushed forward,beaming,offering a bowl of soup.
“Nathan,try my cream of mushroom soup.”
I glanced at her.Showing off you two all lovey-dovey in front of me,his ex?You’re not taking my potion seriously.
The room went silent,all eyes on Nathan.
He turned slightly,his gaze dripping with disdain:
“I never eat mushrooms.Stay away from me”
Claire’s face flushed bright red.She stood frozen,unsure whether to stay or go.
The host intervened: “Claire,step back.Nathan might not be in the mood for soup today.”
She shot Nathan a fawning look.
Claire slunk off,deflated.
The host called the other eight audience members to taste my cakes,but Nathan’s glare stopped her.
“The cakes are all mine.”
