NovelBookChapter 389
Keen said, "But... when | studied French with my tutor, Mom never once joined us. And besides..." He glanced
toward the stage at Stella, his voice softening, "She speaks even better than my French teacher."
Jasper scoffed, unconvinced. "That's just your opinion. If Stella's French was really that good, why would you
need a tutor in the first place? She could have just taught you herself. | bet she just got lucky-knows a few
phrases and now she can't wait to show off."
Deanna, overhearing their muttered conversation, couldn't resist butting in. "What exactly did Stella say?"
Rachel pressed her lips together, clearly reluctant, but finally translated Stella's words for Deanna.
Haynes sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the woman standing confidently under the stage lights. For a moment,
his gray eyes seemed distant, reflecting something soft and unplaceable-like the memory of a song drifting in
from another room.
A memory, long buried, suddenly surfaced.
They had been at the O'Brien estate then. Deanna had brought up the idea of hiring a tutor for Keen to learn a
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtforeign language. Stella had quietly offered, "I could teach Keen," only to be cut off by Deanna's dismissive
retort:
"You? Teach Keen? We're hiring a professional language tutor. What could you possibly teach him? If Keen falls
behind because of your meddling, I'll hold you responsible."
After that, Stella never mentioned it again.
Haynes found himself surprised astonished, even-by how much he didn't know about his former wife. So many
things he never expected.
Astonished? He paused at the word. To him, Stella had always been as plain and unremarkable as a glass of
water. He had never once imagined she could surprise him.
To Haynes, love and marriage were separate things. Over the years, he'd never loved Stella, but he'd always
believed that simply fulfilling his duties as a husband was enough. He'd never bothered to truly understand her.
But now, watching Stella shine beneath the stage lights, he felt strangely unmoored, as if seeing her for the first
time.
Across the auditorium, Mr. Burton burst out laughing. "Well said! Stella sure put those shameless judges in their
place!"
Abby looked at him in surprise. "Mr. Burton, you speak French too?"
Mr. Burton shot her a mock glare, feigning offense. "What, you think I'm just scountry doctor?
traveled the world when | was
traveled
young. A few foreign languages are nothing!"
Abby grinned, quick to flatter him.
"Wow, Mr Burton, not only are you a
brilliant doctor, but you're also a language whiz. What a wonderful surprise! We're so lucky to know you."
Her easy charm had Mr. Burton beaming. "You're a sharp one, aren't you? | like that! Trust me, your good luck's
only just begun!"
Neville, overhearing, gave Mr. Burton a thoughtful look before turning his focus back to Stella.
He'd only ever helped her because of Marvin, or so he'd told himself. But now... he realized he'd stumbled across
a hidden gem.
Meanwhile, Franco was left
speechless by Stella's flawless
French Just when he thought she might finally stop, she looked at him and quipped, "Mr. Franco, di@you catch all
that?"
Franco was never good with words; otherwise, he wouldn't have been foolish enough to try to belittle Stella's
background and credentials in the first place.
Just as he floundered for a response, a fellow judge a silver-haired, blue-eyed gentleman-suddenly chimed in,
responding in rapid-fire French.
Stella listened, then smiled politely and replied with equal fluency, her words flowing effortlessly.
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