The Thorne Heiress Unveiling Shadow novel Chapter 32

The backstage area of the auditorium was a controlled chaos of nervous competitors, judges, and event staff. Chloe, already a bundle of nerves, was made even more anxious by the strange, tense conversation with Mark Chen.

"What was that all about?" she whispered to Evelyn as they found their assigned station. "He looked like he'd seen a ghost. And what's ‘The Black Ledger'? It sounds like a pirate ship."

"It's nothing, Chloe," Evelyn said, calmly setting up her laptop. "He's just trying to play mind games before the competition. Don't let him get to you."

Just as Evelyn finished speaking, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was one of the event organizers. "Miss Thorne? Professor Albright would like a quick word with you before the event begins. He's in the judges' green room."

Evelyn nodded. "I'll be right back," she said to Chloe, giving her a reassuring look before following the organizer.

The moment Evelyn was out of sight, a new figure materialized at Chloe's side. It was Aria Sutton. She was wearing a chic, expensive-looking white pantsuit, her face a mask of practiced concern.

"Chloe, right?" Aria began, her voice a soft, sympathetic murmur. "I am so sorry to bother you, but I just heard something that I thought you should know. As a friend."

Chloe, who was kind-hearted and tended to believe the best in people, looked up, surprised. "Oh. Hi, Aria. What is it?"

"I just feel so terrible about this," Aria said, lowering her voice and leaning in conspiratorially. She looked around as if she were afraid of being overheard. "It's about Evelyn. I've known her a long time, and… well, she has a history. Back in high school, she was suspended for plagiarizing a major coding project. She stole the entire thing from another student."

Chloe's eyes widened in shock. "What? No, that can't be true."

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