“Lila, hurry! Make sure all the gowns are in place!” Rosemary’s voice was firm, though her face showed deep exhaustion.

Backstage was buzzing with chaos. Models rushed around, makeup artists scrambled with brushes and palettes, and organizers hurried to arrange the audience seats. The tense atmosphere pressed down like a heavy weight.

Lila ran over with the checklist in hand. “Everything’s ready, Sis! But… I’m still worried. This collection was finished in such a short time. What if—”

Rosemary cut her off with a burning gaze. “There is no what if. We’ve been trampled long enough. Tonight, I must stand tall.”

---

On the other side of the hall, Cassandra...