Stella’s eyes flickered slightly. “So, I lost to… Keen?”

“Exactly,” Jasper replied with a self-righteous air. “Rachel was only 0.1 points behind you. And that 0.1 difference? Isn’t that just the gap between Keen and Marvin? Technically, it doesn’t count as Rachel losing.”

At this moment, Stella understood everything. “So, you’re not planning to honor your word?” Her expression was calm, as if she was used to such situations.

Haynes, who was standing close by, felt a pang of discomfort. This was the first time he realised just how irrational Jasper could get.

Jasper continued to argue, “What do you mean, not honor it? Rachel didn’t really lose! When the judges were scoring, didn’t they say it? That 0.1 was deducted because of Keen.”

Trying to cover up his guilt, Jasper raised his voice, “Come on! What’s there to brag about winning against a five-year-old? Especially when that kid is your son! If you’re not embarrassed and think beating your own son is something to be proud of, feel free to shout it from the rooftops. No one’s stopping you.”

Stella looked around at everyone present. “Is that how you all feel?”

Callie averted her eyes, unable to meet Stella’s gaze. Deanna turned her head away, wearing a cold expression. Keen looked guilty and muttered, “It was my fault.” Rachel kept her head down and didn’t utter a word, not contradicting Jasper.

As for Haynes… Stella didn’t even glance his way. He didn’t count as a person in this situation.

Jasper’s face was smug. “See, everyone thinks the same, right?”

Stella smiled faintly. “Mr. Wilkinson, you seem quite eager to defend Ms. Pearce. I suspect it’s not really about her, but rather you not wanting to fulfill the bet with me, isn’t it?”

Jasper’s face changed, and everyone except Rachel looked at him in surprise. Clearly, they hadn’t known about the bet.

Flustered, Jasper snapped, “What are you talking about?!”

Just as he was about to deny it, Stella leisurely pulled out her phone and played a recording.

For a moment, Jasper’s expression twisted, but he persisted, “You didn’t really beat Rachel, so the bet doesn’t count!”

At that moment, the door to the lounge opened again, and Abby entered with a group of people.

“This is just disgraceful!” She looked at Jasper with disdain. “Everyone saw the bet when it was made!”

Neville added with a smirk, “A man’s word is his bond. Blaming a child for your loss is just shameful.”

He looked at Keen, who seemed worried and down in the dumps, but never tried to defend himself. Neville just shook his head. “It’s plain sad when adults can’t even measure up to a five-year-old.”

The crowd gathered at the door, watching the drama unfold, and they all looked at Jasper and his group with scorn.

Stella might come from humble beginnings, and some looked down on her for it, but breaking promises and going back on one’s word was a whole other matter. Who would want to deal with someone or a company that couldn’t be trusted?

Stella glanced at the judges who had followed Abby in, then turned her gaze to Rachel.

“Ms. Pearce, if you feel it was Keen who affected your performance, we can have a rematch.”

She paused, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she looked at Rachel.

“I’ve got nothing else planned today, Ms. Pearce. If you’d like to compete several more times, I’m all in.”

Rachel couldn’t miss the underlying message in Stella’s tone. It was as if she was saying, no matter how many times they competed, Rachel would never win against her.