Facade

The final Belle & Hunk election showdown was a speech contest. It was scheduled for 2:00 pm at Cavenridge International Academy. 

Early that morning, the teacher overseeing the contest, Wanda Walker, posted a notice on the school forum and bulletin board: “Finalists from the auditions, please report to backstage of the school auditorium at 1:00 pm this attemoon.” 

Christopher took a screenshot of the notice and sent it to Hera but received no response. He couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t been replying to his messages since the previous day. 

Believing he had a valid reason to contact Hera, Christopher scrolled through his contacts and called the contact that was saved as “Goddess for the first time. However, the call didn’t go through, indicating Hera’s phone was switched off. 

Concem gnawed at him. Christopher couldn’t help but wonder if Hera was in trouble. He hurried to the teacher’s faculty to find Kerry Lane, the homeroom teacher of junior year chis K 

“Heral 

ta messaged me two nights ago, saying she needed two days off for personal matters,” Kerry remarked as she checked her phone for the message. 

For over a week now, Hera had been heading to the lab shortly after she arrived in the classroom every day. 

While Kerry had been willing to overlook Hera’s classroom absence, she disapproved of her skipping the speech contest. 

Kerry tried to persuade Hera to return to school many times, but Hera didn’t respond to her messages. Berry had even tried calling her, but Hera’s phone remained switched off. “Ms. Lane, Christopher, you can’t reach Boss–uh, I mean Herd–either?” Katie interrupted, having overheard their conversation. She was there to submit the homework on behalf of her class. 

“I can’t teach her either! Rate added, placing the large pile of workbooks on Kerry’s desk 

She thought Hera had deliberately ignored her because she found her too bothersome. 

“Is she in some kind of trouble? Kerry asked, her tone tinged with concern. 

Ashiver ran down Katie’s spine as a worrisome thought crossed her mind. 

“Could she have been kidnapped? I mean, Doss is beautiful..” 

Christopher pondered silently for a moment before speaking up. 

“Please contact her parents, Ms. Lane.” 

“Of course, I’ll do that right away.” 

Kerry nodded. 

While they were preoccupied searching for Hera, a gossip post titled “Hera Taking Leave Possibly to Avold Competition” emerged on the school forum and quickly gained traction as the most popular post of the morning. 

“Taking leave to dodge the competition? What game is she playing at?” 

“Wasn’t she busy flirting with Christopher two days ago? Did she strike out?” 

“obviously! Our Christopher wouldn’t fall for her.” 

“Go, Christopher!” 

“What the heck? Is she chickening out? Then why bother campaigning?” 

“Ismell a conspiracy behind the people pushing Hera’s campaign.” 

“Who posted this? Do you have any evidence? Delete this now! Herat Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

ra wouldn’t skip out on the speech contest!” Katie responded to the post. 

“Katie, are you Hera’s lapdog or something? I’ve noticed you always defend her.” 

“Lapdog and lackey, I’d say. I really don’t get why the mayor’s daughter is so sycophantic toward a country bumpkin like Hera What’s in it for you, Katie? 

“Katie, my source is solid. Hera won’t be participating in the contest this afternoon.” 

It was boop. The audition finalists reported to the backstage of the auditorium promptly. 

Lily, the first finalist to arrive, stood at the registration counter, counting the finalists who came to sign in. 

Cure all the finalists had registered, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed and scomful that Hera hadn’t shown up. It confirmed the gossip post on the school torum about Hera’s decision to skip the contest.