Winning the Heir Who Bullied Me Chapter 16

*Don’t trip. Don’t trip. Don’t trip.*

I chant the mantra to myself as we walk into the massive ballroom and onto the stage. I squint slightly, blinded by the huge spotlights pointed at the stage.

As we line up, my mantra changes: *Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up.*

I can barely hear myself panic, though. The huge ballroom is packed to the brim with not only reporters and their cameramen but an actual audience, too. I squint through the blinding lights to see that the crowd is made up mostly of girls, which doesn’t surprise me in the least.

“Oh God, it’s Lara Ellington!” a voice screams from the crowd.

“Lara! We love you!” another screams from the other side of the room.

I glance at the girl in question, and she just smiles politely, as if she’s used to all the attention, maybe even expects it.

“Valerie St Clair!” I’m surprised to hear a voice scream, and other voices join, yelling about how pretty Valerie is and that they love her.

Unlike Lara’s polite, passive smile, Valerie gives a self-satisfied smirk, obviously reveling in the attention.

I hear the crowd call other names, but Lara’s and Valerie’s are the most predominant. And, of course, not a single soul knows who I am.

Not that I care. I’m too busy trying not to hurl all over the perfect stage. Everything—the lights, the cameras, the crowd…it’s all too much for me.

I glance down at June in worry. If I’m feeling this awful, how much worse is she feeling?

I’m surprised, however, to see my sister unfazed. She’s smiling at the crowd excitedly, her eyes aglow with curiosity and wonder.

For the umpteenth time, I think how much better it would be if our roles were reversed and *she* was the one in the competition.

My gaze shifts from June to the other side of the stage—where the Ashfords are seated.

Glamorous and stunning as usual, they look comfortable, like they experience attention like this regularly. And Nathan, of course, looks handsome and dashing, like something out of a magazine.

My dream flashes through my mind. *Audacious and delusional.*

I turn away.

Easton steps on stage, and the crowd quietens a little, but the spotlight is still blinding, and the cameras still flash.

“Good day, Chicago,” his voice booms across the room, thanks to the microphone in his hand. He goes on to give an opening speech, thanking the audience, the reporters, and most importantly, the Ashfords.

“It’s an honor to introduce you today to the prospective brides of the three Ashford heirs.” He turns to us and beams. It’s a smile I’ve never seen on Easton’s face, and I wager that it’s fake—something he only whips out for events like these.

“Three of these beautiful young ladies will marry the three Ashford heirs and usher in a new age for the family.”

*"He’s not talking about you,"* a voice whispers in my mind. "*You’re audacious and delusional if you think he’s talking about you*."

“Now, without further ado,” Easton says, and my stomach gives a violent lurch as I realize what’s coming: “The contestants will introduce themselves.”

He turns and bows deeply to Lara, handing her the microphone reverently like it’s some precious jewel.

She takes it and steps forward, her simple movements filled with such grace that I have to force myself not to stare.

The crowd roars at the sight of Lara, and she has to wait a while for the noise to subside before she can finally speak.

“I’m Lara Ellington,” she says; even her voice is soft and melodic, “the last daughter of the Ellington family. I’m twenty-two years old and a runway model.”

Of course, she is.

She passes the microphone as deafening cheers erupt.

Valerie steps up next, and I roll my eyes, not caring if the cameras pick the action. “I’m Valerie St Clair,” she says smugly. “I’m twenty and a travel influencer. I also take online classes at Harvard University while traveling the world.” She winks at the crowd, and they go wild.

Envy runs through me as I imagine the beautiful, glamorous lives Lara and Valerie lead.

I wait as girl after girl introduces their self. They’re all between nineteen to twenty-two, either in prestigious universities or have glamorous jobs.

Then Eliza takes the microphone, and I wonder about the reception my new friend will receive.

“Um, h-hi.” I wince as she stutters. I can see her hand shake. “I’m Eliza Kinsley, and I…um, I—” Her voice is too soft, and her shyness is evident.

I feel awful when Easton steps forward and puts an arm on her waist. “Eliza Kinsley, everybody!” he announces and all but shoves her out of the way so the next girl can introduce herself.

My sympathy for Eliza is short-lived, however. Because soon, it’s my turn.

My microphone feels heavy in my hand as I step forward, struggling to keep my composure.

“Hello, everyone.” My voice sounds too loud to my ears. “I’m April Farrah. I’m twenty-one years old and I’m a Biomedical Science major at UChicago.”

Due to the blinding lights, I can barely see the crowd, but I don’t need to see them to know that my reception is nothing compared to some of the other girls, especially Lara and Valerie.

June tugs on my hand and I continue like I was asked to. “Um, this is my little sister, June,” I say, hating how the attention in the room shifts to her. “I’m her primary guardian, and the Ashfords have been kind enough to let her be with me.”

Then, against every instinct that screams at me to protect my sister from the cruel world, I hand her the microphone and hold my breath.

“Hi!” her small, childish voice rings through the air. “I’m June. I’m nine years old and I love it here!” Scattered laughter echoes through the room, and a few people even clap.

I let out a huge sigh of relief as I pass the microphone to the last girl.

After the introductions, Easton announces that there will be a press conference in the gardens outside. He encourages the crowd to stay indoors and help themselves to the surplus buffet while the press conference is ongoing.

By the time we appear in the garden, the press conference has started and the Ashfords are being interviewed. I catch the end of a question.

“…dependent sister. How does that affect the dynamics of the competition?”

I barely register that the question is about me and June when Peter answers, like he’s been waiting for that one question specifically.

“It’s…fun,” he says with a smirk, and his gaze meets mine across the garden. “It adds flair, ensuring that the competition will not be boring or straightforward.” I grit my teeth, recognizing those words from that first day in my room.

The reporters chuckle amongst themselves, evidently loving his reply.

Samuel, however, looks less than impressed. And he proves my hypothesis that he favors Nathan over Peter correctly when he pointedly turns to his second son and says, “Nathan, maybe you can provide a more insightful answer.”

My heart skips a beat as Nathan crosses his legs and clears his throat. My breath stills as I wait for him to tell the whole world what he thinks about me.