Chapter 59

“Jess!” Emma called after her. But she didn’t stop. If anything, she seemed to walk faster. Emma tried chasing after her, but she disappeared into the crowd. What was going on? Jess was clearly hiding and it seemed she didn’t want to be noticed. Was she in some kind of danger? Emma kept trying to spot her, but she was gone.

​ “I have to get to judging,” she said, taking one more look before going inside. The same judges who saw her last time were there, and they smiled as she approached.

​ “Miss Wells,” the older judge spoke. “Congratulations on your recent nuptials.” She blushed.

​ “Thank you,” she responded. “But how did you know?”

​ “You must know that’s it in every magazine,” another judge spoke. “Congratulations, indeed.”

​ “Thank you very much,” she repeated.

​ “Now, to the matter at hand. We scored you very favorably. It’s not often that a newcomer to the contest, such as yourself, impresses us as you have. You show true promise young lady. We are very excite