The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 267

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Chapter 267

When my turn came, I approached the table with every intention of making similar errors. I’d pour the tea too fast, spill something on the pristine white tablecloth, maybe even use the wrong spoon for the sugar.

But the moment my hands touched the teapot, muscle memory took over.

I warmed the cups without thinking, measured the tea leaves with precision without even looking, and poured the steaming water smoothly and efficiently. I then arranged the accompaniments on the serving tray and even added a little garnish.

Shit.

The evaluator made a note on her clipboard with a surprised expression on her face. “Excellent technique, Miss Night. Very impressive for someone with no formal training.”

The dining etiquette station went even worse. I sailed through the place settings without hesitation, selecting the correct utensils for each course and maintaining perfect posture throughout the mock meal.

I couldn’t help it. All my years of intensive training had carved these behaviors so deep into my brain that I couldn’t override them even when I tried.

The ballroom dancing station was the worst yet. When the instructor asked for volunteers to demonstrate the basic waltz, I stepped forward before I could stop myself. My body moved through the familiar steps perfectly even when I made a conscious effort to fuck up.

For the rest of the evaluation, I glided through each task like I’d been born to it. Because I had been, in a way.

These weren’t skills I’d learned as Luna–they were skills that had been drilled into my head since I was old enough to walk. My father might have been a bastard, but he’d made sure his daughter could conduct herself like the perfect little future cash cow he wanted.

Well, at least I could still drop out.

When the evaluations were finished, we gathered in the center of the ballroom to wait for the results.

“Stella, you’re amazing,” Anya sighed as she came to stand beside me. “You didn’t make a single mistake. I bet you win first place again.”

I forced a smile. “Thank you. You did really well, too. I can tell you practiced hard.”

“Thanks to you.” Anya beamed, but then her face softened. “Truthfully, I’m really just doing this for my family. I’ve been sending money to them each time I get paid, but it’s not enough—if I win this,

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Chapter 267

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though, they might be able to come live here.”

I blinked in surprise. “You didn’t tell me your family was struggling.”

She shrugged. “Why should I? It’s not like you could change anything.” If only she knew that I could have changed that a few months ago, if only I hadn’t been so consumed with thoughts of pleasing a man who never truly loved me. “Anyway, it’s just a pipe dream. Oh, look–they’re about to announce the results.”

I turned to see that Alexander and the evaluators had gathered and were waiting for everyone to quiet down. Across the room, I saw Sophia glance at me again. When she noticed me looking, she lifted her chin and looked away.

When the results were announced, I wasn’t surprised to hear my name called among the top performers. I’d scored in the highest tier across all of the categories, earning a spot in the next round despite my best efforts to fail.

As the eliminated contestants filed out and the remaining women began to disperse, Sophia made her move. She approached me directly and with a smile that was all teeth while her two remaining followers trailed behind her.

“That was quite a performance,” she said, sticking out her hand. “I’m Sophia, by the way. And you are…?”

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