Chapter 1409
“That’s right.”
Then Adah sent Elliana a flurry of selfies, each one showing her in a new setting and different outfit, with a few bold bikini shots that would leave anyone breathless. “Well? How about it? With my face, my figure, and a little bit of talent, am I superstar material or what?”
“Superstar material? You were made for the spotlight! It’s as if fate itself decided you should be famous. To be honest, I’m convinced you’ll reach stardom the moment you step on stage and stay there forever!”
Elliana’s message made Adah light up. She quickly replied with a string of laughing emojis and burst out laughing so hard that Leonel and Melanie nearly jumped out of their seats.
Catching herself, Adah slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oops! Didn’t mean to startle you.”
Melanie asked with a smile, “Adah, what’s got you in such a great mood?”
Adah’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Elliana’s about to shell out half a billion just to get me into the competition! I can’t help it. I’m on my way to becoming a superstar after this!”
Leonel looked at her with gentle affection. “I never expected you’d grow up to be so spirited.”
His mind drifted back to her childhood. She had once been such a sweet, quiet child, but now, look at her—feisty and full of mischief.
Knowing how long her father had waited for her mother made Adah feel lighter than she had in years. The words came easily. “Dad, your daughter is going to be a celebrity soon! You’d better start preparing for life as a superstar’s dad!” She flashed a grin at Melanie. “And you, Melanie, time to master your best VIP look!”
Melanie’s laughter filled the room, but a moment later, a faraway look crossed her face. “If only your mom could see you now. I hope she’ll be there when you take the stage.”
Melanie’s words brought an abrupt end to the laughter and smiles on both Adah’s and Leonel’s faces.
Adah’s eyes drifted to the photo of her mother resting on the table, and a heavy sense of longing settled over her. During all those days in Delta, when she and Elliana built Thorn Rose from scratch and fought their way to the top, her mother hadn’t been there to see any of it.
ν
In her mother’s mind, she was probably still a gentle, defenseless child, someone who needed protection. Her mother must have spent countless sleepless nights worrying whether she was fending for herself. Soon, she would stand beneath the stage lights. If only her mother could witness that moment, maybe she could finally let go of her concerns. There was more to Adah’s ambition than she’d let on with Elliana. Defeating Rowena wasn’t her only goal. Above all else, she hoped her performance would serve as a message, a sign to her mother that she had grown up into someone strong and dazzling.
If her mother was facing difficulties somewhere, maybe seeing her daughter shine would give her the strength to keep going. If her mother had lost her memory like Rita once had, perhaps this moment would spark something familiar, a light guiding her home. And if her mother was gone for good, she wished her success would travel skyward, bringing comfort to her mother’s soul.
Ten days slipped by, and the dance competition finally arrived. With Elliana’s influence, Adah managed to snag a coveted spot in the contest.
Because the event’s lineup had been decided long ago, organizers could only add Adah as the very last act.
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