Chapter 8
I threw myself into preparation, studying hard.
With the invitation and Breeze Lounge’s signature liquor, I entered the competition.
Contestants were a mix of types. The male and female were 50-50.
I wore a sharp suit, catching attention the moment I walked in.
“Who is she? Never seen her before. She is gorgeous.”
“Some actress they hired?”
“No way. She is dressed like a bartender.”
I ignored the whispers, grabbed my number tag, and waited.
Noah sat in the front row in a navy blue suit and gold–rimmed glasses. His face was expressionless as always, but his presence boosted my confidence.
Groups of three competed, and it was judged live. I was in the last group, up against last year’s runner–up.
The pressure was real, but the process felt like a rebirth. This was the path I was meant for.
I mixed rum and gin, a new flavor for Breeze Lounge. Then I added vodka and mint syrup.
The emcee called me up. “Contestant No. 13, explain your creation.”
I took the mic. “I first called this ‘Forgive‘, but now it’s ‘Moon Breeze‘. It’s a breakup drink for people who got hurt. It’s about forgiving yourself and not punishing yourself for someone else’s mistakes.”
I smiled, letting go.
I won a participation award but wasn’t discouraged.
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My mixing clip went viral online, dubbed “The Most Beautiful Bartender“. I didn’t love the focus on my looks. Beauty without skills often got labeled trophies.
Some claimed I only got in because of my face. I shrugged it off.
The buzz died down, but a new post dug up my past, alleging I made three million dollars in three years just by selling liquor.
The details were so rich that they felt real. The lies spread, and strangers messaged me, asking if I was for sale.
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Aidan called as I left work. “Lorelei, come back. Who else would want you? Isabella’s kid can be yours to raise. Stop being stubborn and look at your life. Noah won’t fight for you. Rich guys don’t deal with drama.”
I didn’t really care what people thought of me. Sophie’s death and hardships had toughened me.
Prejudices were just immovable. No matter what I said, it wouldn’t clear my name. What
really weighed on me was the fear of dragging Noah into the mess.
Word had already started to spread. Some people were poking around, trying to find out
where I worked. Sooner or later, it would hurt Noah’s business.
When I reached his office, he was on the phone. “The statement is ready. Put it on the
web.”
I froze, wondering if Sparkle Elegance was already catching heat because of me.
Before I could ask, my phone pinged with a news alert. Sparkle Elegance and Breeze Lounge issued a joint statement with Noah’s handwritten note.
It explained how he met me at a bar and then hired me as a bartender. It clarified I earned
my money legitimately and even included my medical records of stomach bleeding from
the bar days. I didn’t know how he got them.
My classmates vouched for my history with Aidan, saying that I sacrificed for a jerk who
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betrayed me and stirred up trouble when I tried to move on.
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