Uncle?

"Ms. Zara Quinn, please come up to the stage." The spokesman's voice echoed through the grand hall, but Zara barely heard him over the thunderous applause.

Her chest tightened. For a moment, she remained frozen in her seat, gripping the fabric of her dress.

"Zara, you fucking did it!" Nadia hissed excitedly, nudging her. "Go up there and shove that bitch off the stage!"

Zara exhaled sharply, adjusting the strap of her dress as she rose. Her legs felt unsteady, but the overwhelming rush of triumph drowned out her nerves.

She had won.

The realization hit her like a wave, and before she knew it, she was moving toward the stage.

The applause swelled, filling every corner of the hall.

But then—

"No! That's not possible!" Gina's shriek cut through the cheers like a knife.

Zara paused for a split second, glancing toward the commotion.

Gina was already storming toward the spokesman, her face twisted with disbelief.