"Stop it!"
Cielo stepped in immediately, shielding the person behind him.
"B—but Cielo, it's for your sake too!" Dawn cried. "M-maybe that Navares girl is just deceiving you!"
"So where's your proof?" Jason asked flatly.
Dawn turned toward him—Airah did the same.
"Why are you even here?" Jason continued. "Just to stir up trouble? That only means you don't trust Cielo. Is that it?"
"And you, Airah," Kenneth added sharply. "Why are you here?"
"I'm helping a friend," Airah replied coolly. "It hurts when someone tries to steal your man."
Jason noticed Nicole raise an eyebrow.
"Nicky?" Julie's voice echoed through the video call. "Did you steal Joel?"
Nicole didn't answer—she didn't have to.
"We're sorry about this," Cielo said quickly, turning to the Pop Princess. "Are you okay?"
"I—I'm fine," she replied softly. "I was just startled."
"You—"
"Enough!" Cielo cut Dawn off again, his voice firm. "You're really pathetic, Dawn—coming here just to cause trouble. Do you really trust me that little?"
Dawn faltered. "I—it's not like that…"
"Then why are you here?" Kenneth sighed. "You just embarrassed yourself."
"Before accusing anyone," Jason said evenly, "why don't you find real proof? You've spoken to Julie yourselves. You've heard her."
Julie sighed through the call. "Why won't you believe it? And honestly—it's embarrassing to throw accusations around like this." She shook her head. "If you're angry at me, fine. But don't drag innocent people into it."
Kenneth nodded. "Sorry about the chaos. I hope you don't feel uncomfortable. We still have a mini-event coming up."
"N-no, it's okay," the Pop Princess replied with a faint laugh. "I understand. Maybe she just really loves her boyfriend."
"You'll get your time with us too, Navares," Dawn muttered.
"Sure," Julie answered with a mockingly sweet smile.
"Let's go," Airah snapped, pulling Dawn away and shooting Nicole a sharp look. Nicole didn't flinch.
Jason watched them leave, then glanced at Nicole with a faint smile.She's learning how to stand her ground now.
They all understood—this wasn't the time to dig deeper.
"Well done," Cielo said quietly.
Later that Saturday, they gathered at Jonathan's mansion—their usual place.
"Yesterday was intense," Neah muttered, shaking her head.
"It really was," Kelly said. "Julie, you were a great actress." She gave a thumbs-up.
"I did get a few scratches from Airah," Julie admitted, glancing at the marks on her arm.
"But you held back," Gabriel said with a chuckle.
"Why didn't you show up after that?" Julie asked him.
Jason remained silent, listening.
"I didn't want to," Gabriel replied. "I'm sure they were already planning something else."
"Where's Kean?" Dennis asked.
"Sleeping," Kenneth answered.
"Let him rest," Cielo said. "He did well—and so did you, Dennis."
"It's nothing," Dennis shrugged. "I'm always prepared."
"Yeah," Gian laughed. "When Dennis really uses his gift, he reads people like an open book."
"So what's the next move?" someone asked. "We've set the stage, but we don't know if they're convinced Julie and Pop Princess are different people."
"No," Cielo said calmly. "We convince them for real. Kenneth—let's use your event. Both of them."
Kenneth paused, then grinned. "You're sharp today. Alright—let's do it."
"I just hope I don't get mobbed again," Julie muttered.
"You'll be fine," Cielo said, kissing her forehead.
"I am," she smiled. "Really."
"So?" Kevin asked. "What's the plan?"
********
Elsewhere—
"That bitch," Dawn muttered, pacing. "I'm sure of it—it's Navares."
She turned to her friends. "Paulene, did you see her boyfriend yesterday?"
"N-no," Paulene said. "I didn't."
"Wait—she has a boyfriend?" Airah asked.
"Yes," Camille smirked. "And get this—they share the same last name."
"What?" Airah frowned. "Who is he?"
"Doesn't matter," Dawn snapped. "What matters is she pisses me off."
Airah clenched her fists. "We messed up—but we'll get another chance. Charles is obsessed with Kelly. And I'm obsessed with getting revenge on the girl who stole Joel."
Dawn sneered. "Vincent doesn't want Julie involved. He wants her handled alone."
"Fine," Airah said coldly. "Let Vincent deal with Navares."
Dawn's lips curved into a smile. "They have a mini-concert, right? If Navares doesn't show up, then they're the same person."
"That's perfect," Airah agreed. "We'll humiliate her."
"Don't worry," Dawn added. "You'll get your turn with Nicole too."
Airah said nothing—only nodded.
Monday arrived.
Dawn spotted Julie immediately. Annoyance surged—but she forced a smile.
"Hey, Julie."
Julie stared at her calmly.
"Recovered from Friday?" Julie asked casually.
"Yeah," Dawn replied. "It was embarrassing. I just didn't want you deceiving Cielo—or flirting with my boyfriend."
Julie nodded. "I have a boyfriend. Why would I take Cielo from you?"
She's brutally honest, Dawn thought.
"You do have a boyfriend," Dawn said quietly. "But I don't like girls hovering around mine. Especially Pop Princess. Maybe that's you."
Julie smiled.
"Dawn," she said gently, "why are you so insecure this early in the day? Maybe you're projecting your fears onto me—calling me a thief. That's unfair."
She leaned back. "You don't trust your boyfriend. I've known him since childhood. We're just friends."
Julie paused, then smiled again. "I have a suggestion. Join our group. You'll be safe—we don't bully. We respect each other. You'll get to know me… and Cielo's friends. Nicole and Melissa would agree."
She tapped Dawn's arm lightly and sat back down.
Dawn's jaw tightened.
She thought Julie would be easy—like Crisha before.
But Cielo still hadn't replied to her messages.
Damn it.I let the rumor spread that Cielo was courting me.Now I have to stand by it.
She clenched her fists and stayed silent.
Let's see how far you can go, Navares, Dawn thought darkly.You've challenged me.