Chapter 154-declaration

Cecilia POV

My palms were sweating, and my notes were crumpled in my hand. On the stage, Penny's clear and steady speech echoed through the speakers. I listened quietly for a few minutes, released a sigh of relief, and descended the stairs from the shadows.

Below the stage, Karl withdrew his gaze, brushed past Marilyn and Lynn's shoulders, then followed the queue out. Marilyn and Lynn called after him with furrowed brows, but received no response. Waiting at the stairs connecting the central square to the inner courtyard, I stood there, as if knowing Karl was approaching. I tucked my uniform sleeves into my pockets and gazed ahead with a restrained intensity.