THE BILLIONAIRE AMONG US.

Chapter 6: The audition.

Celeste made sure her voice was raised, calling the attention of customers quickly.

“You stole the card!! You're a thief!!" She accused falsely.

The people began to murmur, gathering around.

“Isn't that a black card?!"

“This man doesn't look like someone that could possess such a treasure. Only 'West bank' issues such cards in Elf city. It's for their VIP customers." Someone added.

Bill remembered he asked John to change the card pin some time ago. How could he forget to ask him about the new pin. Bill lamented within and quickly pulled out his phone.

“Hello John." He pulled a call across immediately. “What's the card's new pin? Okay." He dropped the call.

“It's just a little complication. It has been sorted." Bill told Stephanie and typed the correct pin on the machine.

Ding!

A smooth Sharp sound came from the machine, indicating a successful transaction. Stephanie couldn't believe her eyes.

$21,000 successfully wired!

“It's successful sir." She smiled and stepped towards the rack and hung down the gown.

Celeste went dumb. Shock rippled in the air from the onlookers.

Bill smiled at her and pocketed his hands. “Payment successful, kiss the floor." He snapped.

Celeste didn't move an inch. The reluctance in her eyes was noticed.

“Kiss the floor. A deal is a deal." A man said.

“Huh.. isn't that Celeste Gate. My favorite Tiktok mentor!" A young girl muttered to Celeste’s hearing.

Oh no! She could only wonder how many of her fans were there to witness her humiliation.

“She always swears she won't say made a promise she won't fulfil no matter how tough it is." The same girl said.

Celeste gulped hard. This might ruin her Content creation on Tiktok if she fails to comply. She noticed some people had pulled out their phone and activated the camera to take a record of her humiliation.

Slowly, she went on her knee and kissed the floor.

“Yuck!!"

“Jezz!!"

“How embarrassing!!"

The people commented, displaying a look of detest on their faces.

Celeste was covered in shame. The weight of the embarrassment pressed down on her, making her linger on the floor. When she stood up, her eyes were red with anger.

“I swear you're going to regret this!!" She threatened and stormed out of the boutique angrily.

Meanwhile, Clara had gone to the dressing room with the gown. Moments later, she stepped out and her beauty filled the space. The gown fits her at the right place, accentuating her beauty and calling attention to her.

Like a model she is aspiring to become. She swung her hip forward, each step effortless and graceful. Her long legs stretched endlessly on the heels and she swung them with ease.

Bill couldn't believe his eyes.

“You look beautiful ermm.." Bill momentarily forgot her name.

“It's Clara." She helped him and smiled.

“Yes.. Clara." He swallowed hard.

Meanwhile, at a place called Lumina where the audition is meant to take place. One could see girls, each of them gaped in red short gown with a black heel on their feet seated on chairs which was arranged horizontally near to the wall while at the centre is a red carpet stretching endlessly from a place where some two men and a woman dressed in Sharp outfits sat behind a desk which had microphones stationed on it. They were the audition judges.

Among them were Clara and Alice, smiling sheepishly and feeling belonged.

The woman among the judges stood up, her gaze sharp and observative. “Welcome to the annual Audition of MISS WORLD BEAUTY 2025. As you know we'll be selecting only the talented three.." As the woman was speaking, Beauty entered the hall, her beauty breathtaking and captivating.

Clara and Alice were visibly shocked to see her, especially her new appearance. They could stop staring at her till she took her seat among the contestants.

“How did that brat.." Clara gritted her teeth, bitterness creeping into her heart.

“...we'll be selecting only the talented three who will represent us at the main contest. Show us what you’ve got, Models." She concluded and took her seat with a smiling face.

“Contestant 1" She spoke into the microphone.

The first contestant stepped out onto the red carpet, which is the catwalk. She stood with a flawless posture- back straight, shoulder gently pulled back and a subtle lift to her chin. She moves like a viscous liquid, her steps measured and precise. One foot fell gently before another, her heels making the softest click on the red carpet till she got to the finishing point. She walked back with the same posture and effortless steps.

The judge watched with keen interest, whispering comments and observations and they scribbled pen on a book.

Beauty suddenly felt uneasy and felt like using the restroom. She quickly informed the girl nearest to her and entered the restroom. She pulled her heels at the door and entered.

Seeing her, Clara stood up and followed her to the restroom to see her heels at the door.

“Huh? How did that filthy thing get this." She looked down to the stiletto and a wicked grin suddenly crossed her face. “I know what to do." She took her stiletto and replaced it with a faulty one.

Unknowingly, Beauty wore the faulty stiletto and quickly left for the hall.

Clara grinned devilishly when she saw the stiletto on her feet.

“Let's see how you're going to make it out." She said in her thoughts.

All the contestants displayed their talents before the judges including Clara and Alice. They both flaunted their beauty and skills on the catwalk like their life depended on it.

“Lastly, Contestant 80." The female judge called and Beauty stepped out to the red carpet.