Rising From Betrayal Reborn As The Family Outcast novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

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Upon seeing the results displayed on the large screen, Nicole and Felicity could hardly believe their eyes.

Despite their confidence in their own strong performances, the audience votes had turned out disappointingly low.

Almost instinctively, each began to blame the other for dragging the team down, each convinced her own plan was superior, frustrated that the other had stubbornly insisted on taking a different direction.

The host glanced at the results and announced cheerfully, “Congratulations to Team 4!

*Each of the eight trainees in this team will receive an additional thirty thousand votes on top of your current totals.”

The members of Team 4 immediately broke into celebration, embracing one another with visible excitement.

Meanwhile, the other three teams watched with a mix of admiration and envy.

The members of Team 1, in particular, could only manage strained, unconvincing smiles as they took in the news.

After the mentors departed for a brief intermission, the trainees remained on stage, awaiting the final tally.

Once voting closed and the results were compiled, the updated rankings were displayed across the large screen.

In this pivotal round where thirty-two contestants were narrowed down to sixteen, Alicia’s team achieved an impressive outcome, with five members successfully advancing.

Sean soared to first place. Spencer climbed to third, and the rankings of the remaining three also rose considerably.

In stark contrast, only two trainees from Nicole’s team made it through.

Elijah, who had previously held the top position, fell to fourth, while the other advancing member, once secure within the top ten, now found herself outside it.

The influence of the week’s live broadcasts and this particular performance was evidently significant.

Watching the results, Nicole and Felicity grew visibly more distressed.

From their seats in the audience, the Hammond brothers observed the outcome.

Kevin remarked thoughtfully, “I always assumed Alicia entered the entertainment world because of Nicolas and that she’d drop out before long.

“But seeing her perform like that, it’s clear she genuinely loves the stage.

“To deliver at that level, she must have put in serious work behind the scenes.

“Nicole, on the other hand, talks about chasing her dream in this industry, but her performances come across as rather average

Without direct comparison, Nicole’s singing might have been considered passable.

Yet placed beside Alicia, she paled noticeably.

Austin shrugged, as if stating the obvious. “Hasn’t Alicia always been better at pretty much everything?”

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Chapter 66

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Despite her privileged background, Alicia possessed a resilient spirit, capable of weathering challenges in any environment.

Nicole, deeply scarred from childhood, remained fragile, like a delicate greenhouse flower, unable to endure the slightest

storm.

The brothers had never doubted Alicia’s ability to hold her own.

When she first announced her plans to enter the entertainment industry, they had opposed the idea, convinced that a life of comfort and influence was far preferable to the turbulence of stardom.

They had deliberately avoided watching her performances and ignored updates about her career, hoping she would eventually grow weary and step away.

“Still,” Austin admitted, “Alicia’s performance tonight was a real surprise.

“Looks like she won’t be leaving the industry anytime soon.”

He turned to Kevin. “So, do we keep objecting?”

Kevin offered a rueful smile. “Would it even make a difference?”

The other two brothers exchanged a glance and sighed quietly in response.

As the results for the trainees were finally announced onstage, the public performance drew to a close, along with the very first episode of Friends on the Road.

The live camera lingered on the eight guest mentors, all smiling and waving toward the lens. “See you next time!”

Once the broadcast ended, the mentors made their way backstage to change.

Alicia had just changed out of her stage outfit when Sherry Miller stepped in to help remove her makeup.

Sherry, who had officially started as her assistant just a couple of days earlier, was already settling smoothly into the role.

As the final touches of makeup were being removed, Maxwell entered the room.

He approached with an easy smile. “Alicia, Kevin and the others are here. They were hoping to see you.”

Alicia didn’t glance up from the mirror. “We have nothing left to discuss.”

Maxwell’s smile stiffened slightly, caught off guard by her direct refusal.

“They mentioned it’s about business,” he continued. “Kevin specifically wants to talk dividend shares.”

He had assumed the mention of money would at least prompt a meeting.

But Alicia replied evenly, “He can discuss that with my legal team.”

If Kevin failed to transfer the dividends directly, she was fully prepared to let the courts handle it. She had no intention of dropping the lawsuit.

Maxwell paused, visibly surprised. ‘Is that really the best approach here?”

Alicia met his eyes briefly in the mirror. “Just deliver the message.”

With a resigned nod, Maxwell replied, “Alright, I’ll let him know.”

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Persuasion had failed. The only remaining option was to bring the Hammond brothers to her directly.

Stepping outside, he called them over and relayed Alicia’s response to Kevin.

The faces of the three brothers tightened with clear displeasure.

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Nicole had just changed when she heard they’d come backstage. Without even taking off her stage makeup, she hurried out

to meet them.

Yet after a polite but noticeably brief greeting, they had immediately asked Maxwell to summon Alicia instead.

It was painfully evident they were here for Alicia alone.

And when Alicia didn’t appear right away, they actually walked over and waited outside her dressing room. Nicole watched, a sharp twist of irritation tightening in her chest.

Nicole’s eyes grew moist as she ventured, “Maybe Alicia got the wrong idea. She might have thought you were here for me, and that’s why she’s upset.”

She glanced around at them. “I could go in and clear things up if that helps.”

Kevin answered without hesitation. “Please don’t.”

Involving Nicole would only make things worse.

He paused, then continued gently, “You’ve had a long day, Nicole. Let me call an assistant to take you home first.”

The real issue between Alicia and the others, after all, was Nicole herself.

Having her stay would only make things worse when Alicia eventually emerged.

Their visit today was meant to mend fences, not create another scene.

For a moment, Nicole simply stared in disbelief. Then tears spilled down her cheeks. “Kevin, did I do something wrong? Are you sending me away?”

The hurt in her voice was genuine.

In the past, when Alicia had thrown similar tantrums, they would have simply taken Nicole’s side and left.

Now, sending her off first felt like surrender, a gesture of appeasement toward Alicia, and Nicole was determined not to be sidelined.

Watching her cry, Kevin sighed wearily. “You didn’t do anything wrong. But if Alicia sees you here now, it’ll only set her off again.

“Think about it. Both of you are in the public eye. There are reporters and photographers all over the place tonight. If this turns into a spectacle, it won’t help anyone.”

He rested a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t read into this. You’re family to us. We’d never just cast you aside.”

It troubled him to realize how fragile her sense of belonging still was, even after all this time.

Austin and Caleb chimed in warmly. “He’s right. You’re our little sister. Nothing’s going to change that.”

Caleb reached over and ruffled her hair. “Come on, quit sniffling. A pretty girl like you, you’re gonna end up with a streaky

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face from crying.”

Nicole finally broke into a wobbly smile and pushed his hand away lightly. “I’m not.”

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Just then, Alicia’s voice cut through from the doorway, cold and sharp. “What’s wrong with you? Do you mind taking your little family reunion somewhere else? You’re blocking my door.”

Her gaze swept over Nicole, unimpressed. “And you, I’ve seen this act way too many times. Can’t you at least switch up the routine?”

It was always the same: the tears, the fragility, the performance.

Normally, Alicia would have simply walked away, but tonight they were gathered right outside her dressing room, and Nicole was putting on yet another show, clearly trying to get a reaction out of her by flaunting their closeness.

Alicia wasn’t provoked, but the whole display was exhausting.

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