Chapter 265

After the young artists headed in, Maria Lewis and Catherine Ramirez exchanged a glance and chuckled. "Don't we look like parents sending their kids off to college entrance exams?" Maria sighed. Catherine nodded with a laugh. "That’s surprisingly accurate." Just then, a van pulled up beside the curb. A handful of slim, well-groomed artists got out. Each of them looked sharp and camera-ready. The person in charge was gesturing wildly, giving them reminders. Then they waved to someone hauling tons of bags and gear. They seemed to be asking for something. That person quickly ducked into the van, grabbed a few bottles of water, and handed them out before stepping aside, eyes blank, like their mind was somewhere else. As Maria chatted with Catherine, she caught a glimpse of that person out of the corner of her eye. Her ears buzzed, and she froze like a statue. For a second, she couldn’t hear a thing—just saw Catherine's lips moving without catching the words. Then, as if pulled by some invi