Unmasking the Heiress (Evangeline and Walte)
Bitten Once Shy Forever 196

Chapter 196

Ms. Kast is one of my students. She's still pretty young and just got back from overseas, so she's not quite up to speed with how we do things here. Let's cut her some slack, okay?" Alex tried to smooth things over for Minnie. The crowd was not having any of it.

"So she doesn't know the rules? That's her excuse for getting all up in Ms. Evangeline's face? No way, she's got to pay up-she has to take off that dress today!"

They were adamant, and Alex, with a worried look creasing his brow, still tried to keep his cool as he responded, "Look, Ms. Kast did lose the competition, but making a girl strip down in front of all of us? Isn't that going a bit too far? Who's going to deal with the fallout on he Alex had a point, and the room went quiet.

"I get it, you guys aren't trying to be harsh on her just for the sake of it. You're just ticked off because she dissed Ms. Evangeline. So here's what I propose: I'll step in as the peacekeeper.

"Evie, Minnie didn't get the rules and she stepped on your toes. How about she just apologizes to you right here, right now? The whole stripping thing could blow up into something bigger than we want. If word gets out, it'll look like the Fosters are throwing their weight around, picking on a kid."

Evangeline was not that interested in watching Minnie strip down either. She was stuck between a rock. and a hard place because of the guests and had kept silent about it.

With Alex stepping in to smooth things over, she saw her chance to back down without losing face and to shake off any bad vibes from today's violin showdown.

"Okay, since that's how you see it, I guess it's only fair that I lay out where I stand. The violin contest today was just a whim. I stepped up to play for one simple reason-to make you all smile. And if everyone had a good time watching, that's all that matters to me. "As for Minnie apologizing? I really don't think we need to go there. She came to my birthday bash to wish me well, as my esteemed guest. It wouldn't be right for her to apologize to me."

Evangeline was not one to sweat the small stuff. She had only just met Minnie, and even though Minnie had been pretty rude a few times, it was not like they were archenemies or anything. It was all about being the bigger person, especially with Alex watching. If a little violin showdown could nudge Minnie to not cross her anymore, that was plenty

Minnie had been sure she would end up having to do the walk of shame-stripping down as her

punishment. Fortunately, Alex stepped in, smoothed things over, and she was

front of everyone.

She did not have to strip or apologize. How could she not be thrilled?

even ready to say sorry in

However, there was no way she was going to give that lowlife Evangeline the satisfaction. She was convinced Evangeline was just playing the saint to win everyone over.

The nicer she was to Minnie, the more she looked like the queen of cool to the crowd, raking in all their love and admiration!

+25 BONUS

Chapter 196

Minnie had only lost the contest because she had underestimated Evangeline, and watching her rake in all this acclaim was more than she could stand.

So, with a poised stride, she approached Alex and took the mic from his hand.

"Big thanks to Evangeline for being so gracious. I just got back from overseas and I'm still a bit out of the loop with how things are done here. If I've overstepped, I'm sorry. Evangeline's generosity made me think of my own sister back home. "I know I'm not in the same league as Evangeline, so I just hope we can be friends. What do you think?"