Chapter 101: Sealing Fate

A murmur of understanding rippled through the classroom as Daphne's cryptic message hung heavy in the air. The students, unlike Alice, grasped the underlying threat. Daphne's words weren't simply congratulations; they were a veiled warning, a reminder that the spotlight could just as easily be snatched away. But Daphne, oblivious or uninterested in Alice's simmering anger, quickly shifted her focus. "Mariana," she said, her voice cutting through the tension, "there's a change of plans. We need to get you down to the office to sign your contract right away." Mariana's brow furrowed slightly in surprise. "Sign the contract today?" she echoed, her voice laced with disbelief. "But I thought we were waiting until all the actors were on board?" Daphne offered a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "There's been a slight change," she explained. "Apparently, Beatrice and the production team are working on a tighter schedule than originally anticipated. They want to g