Chapter 171
“Hey, here’s a perfect way out for you. Take it and just let it go,” Jasper smirked, his voice dripping with insincerity.
“This competition is being streamed online, you know. You wouldn’t want your embarrassing side to become a viral sensation, right? If you think about it, you should actually be thanking Rachel. Without her, you’d be the laughingstock of everyone!”
Abby was stunned by Jasper’s shamelessness.
“Wait, let me get this straight-you’re actually defending Rachel for dumping coffee on Star? Should we send her a thank-you note too?” Abby fired back, her voice dripping with disbelief.
Jasper shrugged. “If you feel like thanking her, we won’t mind. Just don’t blame Rachel if you mess up your performance. We’re not taking the fall for that!”
Rachel tugged gently at Jasper’s sleeve, her voice barely a whisper. “Jasper, let’s just drop it. I didn’t mean to, but it really was my fault…”
“Rachel, you’re too kind, and that’s why people take advantage of you,” Jasper said coldly, shooting a glare at Stella. “Stella, enough is enough. Rachel has already apologized. Stop dragging this out.”
“If your drama affects Rachel and Keen’s performance, I won’t let it slide!”
Abby’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Star, do they always twist the truth like this?”
Stella nodded, unfazed. Clearly, she’d seen this show before.
Abby sighed. “If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I’d never believe there are people whose morals are more crooked than their looks.”
Jasper, unfazed, doubled down. “Everything I’ve said is true!”
Stella chimed in, “We’ve recorded everything you said. Should we upload it online and let people decide?”
Jasper’s expression changed immediately. “You can’t post that online!”
“Are you afraid of getting called out for your nonsense?” Stella asked, feigning confusion.
Jasper quickly retorted, “Of course not!”
“Then why not let me post it?” Stella challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Are you scared?”
Jasper’s face flushed beet-red as he shouted, “I-It’s about protecting the children! They shouldn’t be exposed to our petty squabbles or become tabloid fodder!”
A dry laugh escaped Abby. “Relax. We only filmed the grown-ups acting like toddlers. And yes,” she added, rolling her eyes, “we’ll pixelate the innocent bystanders you’re so suddenly concerned about.”
Jasper was left speechless, grasping for words.
“Alright,” Haynes, who had been silent, finally spoke up. “The competition is about to start, so let’s not argue anymore.”
Abby snorted, “Save the hero act. Funny how you stayed quiet while Star was being attacked. Now that you can’t gain anything, you decide to speak up. What a tight-knit family you all are.”
Ignoring Abby’s sarcasm, Haynes turned to Stella. “How do you want to handle this?”
With the competition starting soon, Stella decided not to drag it out any longer. “Simple. Give me the dress back. What you do with her outfit afterward is your business, not mine.”
Haynes didn’t hesitate. “That dress is custom-made for this performance to match Keen’s outfit. We can’t just give it to you.”
He paused, looking at Stella. “But you can ask for something else.”