Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

But that thought vanished as quickly as it came. Joe shook it off. He'd only caught a glimpse of her once at the competition, and that was purely by chance, seeing her briefly without her mask in the lounge. Someone like her showing up here? No way. Must've been

someone with a similar look. With a sigh, he set the registration form aside. The odds of him ever meeting her again in this lifetime were slim to none.

...

Connor first took Flora to the hospital to get her stitches out, and then they headed back to the villa. Amanda and Ethan were lounging on the couch in the living room.

"Hey, big bro, Flora!" Ethan greeted cheerfully.

"We're back," Amanda smiled warmly. "Flora, how's your hand doing?"

"All healed up," Flora replied, giving her hand a little wave. The stitches were out, and now all it needed was a bit of ointment-nothing major.

"That's great to hear." Amanda grinned before diving into another topic. "Flora, I've got a couple of friends who are dying for some of your perfume. They're willing to pay top dollar, but if you're swamped, don't worry about it."

"Your friends? I can't take money from them," Flora insisted. "I've been a bit tied up lately, but I'll carve out some time to make it for them."

"Wonderful, just don't overdo it. There's no rush," Amanda said, clearly pleased, before heading off to call her friends.

"Flora, do you know Féraphine?" Ethan asked, leaning in conspiratorially.

Flora paused, curious. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I heard that Féraphine isn't just an amazing doctor but also a top-notch perfumer," Ethan said, pulling a face. "Today, some woman claimed she knows Féraphine really well and was throwing shade at Mom." Flora blinked in surprise. What woman? Knows her well? This was news to her.

"Féraphine's perfumes are like gold dust-super rare. That lady bragged she was tight with Féraphine and could get loads, like a hundred grand a bottle."

Flora raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? A hundred grand? My perfumes are worth more than that, surely?"

"She must've bought a fake," Flora concluded with a knowing look.

"What?" Ethan was shocked. "How do you know, Flora?"

Flora just gave his shoulder a reassuring pat and led Connor back to their room.

...

Austenberg. Airport.

A swarm of journalists crowded the arrival gate, all buzzing with anticipation.

"She should be stepping out any minute now, right?"

"Yeah, the timing feels just about right!"

"Can't wait to finally see the legendary Flora!"

News of Mr. Tanner and his crew heading back had already spread like wildfire, and these reporters were quick to respond. Tanner had brought a lot of glory to Austenberg, putting it on the global map. They knew Flora played a crucial role in that success.

After the competition, Lone Island released footage, and the striking young woman on stage left a lasting impression. Flora had become an international sensation.

Aside from interviewing Mr. Tanner and his team, their main goal was to get a few words with Flora!

"Look, there's Mr. Tanner and his entourage!"

A group dressed in matching red

and white uniforms approached, led

by Mr. Tanner himself. Oddly

enough, there was a girl in a wheelchair trailing behind them, but that didn't matter much to the eager journalists.

The press quickly surrounded them. "Welcome back, our celebrated champions!"

"Thank you all," Mr. Tanner nodded, acknowledging the crowd. He had tried to keep their return under wraps, but the media had their ways. "Mr. Tanner, could you tell us where Miss Flora is?"