Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life novel Chapter 1949

“If I told you I have both the determination and the skill to win her over, what would you say?”

“Mr. Connor, you…”

“Surprised? Didn’t expect I’d be the calculating type? Well, who do you think runs this company?” Fiona’s eyes narrowed, her gaze cutting straight through her.

The other woman fell silent, lips pressed tight. In this place, only real talent counted. No one cared for little tricks or shortcuts—they just didn’t work here.

“I understand, Mr. Connor.” The words sounded forced. She turned to leave, but a flash of resentment flickered in her eyes.

She gripped the recorder in her hand even tighter. If Fiona wanted to make things difficult, then fine—she’d just take everyone down with her.

As soon as she left, Fiona set down her coffee and followed the rest of the team toward the competition hall.

They ran into the Country M team in the hallway. Esther tipped her chin up and gave Fiona a smug, knowing smile, like the win was already in her pocket.

Fiona barely glanced at her. If Esther wanted to win, she’d have to actually prove she was good enough.

“Wait—someone’s missing,” Jean said, scanning the group.

Fiona’s eyes swept the team. The one missing was the contestant she’d replaced.

“Addison’s not here,” Jean said, frowning. “Seriously? Right before the final? I’ll go find her. What is she thinking, wandering off now?”

“She’s probably upset,” someone said quietly. “Addison and I both came here ready to compete, but she ended up facing Esther—the famous one—and then Mr. Connor replaced her. Of course she’s hurt. She’s probably just hiding out in her room.”

But Fiona caught her by the wrist, gave her a look, and held up her phone for everyone to see the latest headline.

“There’s no need.”

Everyone paused, their confusion turning to worry as they read the story pinned at the top of the page.

#Exposed! Ugly Secrets Inside International Glam: Contestants Sabotaged and Replaced#

The article laid everything out: how Jean had been swapped out for Jane by Fiona, and how two team members were drugged and forced to withdraw, so Jean had no choice but to compete. It even said that the original finalist had been quietly replaced—by Fiona herself. The report made Fiona out to be a ruthless manipulator, too powerful to challenge because of her Stonnell family connections and her position as the head of International Glam.

There it was: the original contestant list, the lineup for every round, and, at the very end—a damning audio recording, all about Fiona.