He felt Like an outsider around her.

Bettie stopped and responded calmly, “Let's talk Later when it's over.

I'm swamped with work right now."

After looking at her for a moment, Lance released her, murmuring, “Carry on with your work."

Yet, when the awards ceremony officially started, Lance sought Bettie backstage, only to find she had vanished.

His fists tightened as he wordlessly retreated to his seat.

The gentleman next to him gestured towards Bradley, now performing on stage. "That's the guy?"

With a gloomy expression, Lance gave a subtle nod.

The man Looked at Bradley up and down, touched his chin, and commented,

“There's a similarity between you two."

His words weren't about looks but about their demeanor. They exuded a sense of purity and grace, similar to that of scholars.

As Lance's eyes remained fixed on Bradley, his mood darkened further.

Simultaneously, Zeke, portraying himself as the victim, attended a mediation session with Becker and Cade.

Afraid of bumping into Zeke, Sabrina opted out, advising Trevor to keep her name out of the discussion.

As she sketched alongside Jennie in their art class, she received an update from Trevor; the mediation was unsuccessful.

The supplier didn't agree with the compensation terms that the Faulkner family put forward.

What Lay ahead was either a second attempt at mediation or a Legal battle awaiting the court's verdict.

Cade filled Sabrina in on the details. Zeke proposed a full refund on the materials and a tenfold payment. On top of that, he asked for three hundred thousand for lost opportunities, tarnished reputation, emotional distress, and other related grievances.

"Zeke's not backing down. The supplier counters, claiming Zeke was aware of the material issues. They're only willing to refund the material cost and offer an additional one hundred thousand for damages.

Mediation might be futile; this could be heading to court," Cade's message read.