Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 653

Chapter 653

Contestants from every country were keeping an eye on their rivals’ champions.

Carter’s expression, however, betrayed no surprise.

“Aunt Victoria,” Theo called out, his eyes shining with admiration. “I want to learn rock climbing and paragliding too!”

Victoria crouched so she could look him directly in the eye.

“No, Theo. You’re still too young for such dangerous sports.” She paused, then smiled. “But in a few days, once your holiday starts, how about I take you ice skating instead?”

Theo’s eyes widened. “You can skate, Aunt Victoria?”

Johanna laughed softly from the side. “Your Aunt Victoria can do plenty more than that. She doesn’t just skate-she skis, shoots arrows, and rides horses as well.”

Theo’s face lit with longing. “I want to learn horseback riding too!”

Victoria chuckled. “Then you’ll have to take good care of your body first. Once you’re healthy again, I will take you riding.”

Theo nodded with fierce determination. “I’ll take good care of myself.”

She smiled. “Tonight I’ll have someone prepare medicinal dishes for you.”

The boy froze, then lowered his head.

“I want to eat the food Mom makes… but she’s always so busy.”

Victoria opened her mouth, as if to say something, then only sighed softly. She drew him into a gentle embrace, offering

comfort.

Straightening again, she turned her gaze toward Julliard and Thomas.

“Carter, and these two gentlemen are…?”

Carter replied, “Julliard Macaron, a close friend.”

Julliard greeted her with a polished smile. “Victoria, a pleasure.”

“Julliard,” Victoria returned the courtesy with grace, “your reputation precedes you.”

Her eyes shifted to Thomas. “And this is…?”

Carter’s expression chilled. “Not important.”

But Thomas smiled easily. “My name is Thomas. I’m Sharon’s assistant.” 1

Assistant?

A fleeting glimmer crossed Victoria’s eyes, but she quickly masked it. She cast Johanna a subtle glance before smiling warmly.

“So you’re her assistant. I’m Victoria Kalen, Sharon’s elder sister. And this is my friend, Johanna Walton.”

Though intrigued by Thomas, Johanna carried herself with the poise and pride of a noble daughter. She didn’t appear overly

eager.

“Hello,” she said with calm grace. “My name is Johanna.”

As the foremost socialite of her circle, Victoria’s fame, talent, and beauty were unmatched. Any woman standing beside her

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risked fading into the background.

But not Johanna. Even next to Victoria, her brilliance held its own. She, too, was a striking beauty.

Thomas’s smile remained polite. “Johanna, a pleasure to meet you.”

His demeanor never wavered.

Even Carter and Julliard barely spared Johanna a second glance, their expressions unchanged, unaffected by her beauty.

Noticing Thomas’s calm indifference, Johanna’s smile deepened, though she revealed nothing more. She was interested, yes- but not infatuated. 1

It was simply rare for anyone to stir her curiosity, and she wished only to learn a little more about him.

Julliard glanced at the time. “The competition is about to begin. Let’s head to the hall.”

No one objected, and the group moved toward the venue.

For Sharon, the preliminary round posed no challenge.

This competition’s open format worked in her favor. With everything transparent, she need not fear manipulation behind the

scenes.

But as she stepped down from the stage, her steps faltered.

Not only did she see Carter and his companions, but she also spotted Victoria and Johanna.

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