Determined to avenge his unfaithful wife, the millionaire attended a beauty contest and observed models mocking a young cleaner: «Got mops for poles, huh?» Approaching her, the wealthy man murmured: «Dry your tears, come with me…»

First, they worked on the hair. Long blonde strands were washed with special shampoo, nourishing masks applied, then the master began creating a new haircut. He didn’t radically change the length but added volume, made light waves that softly framed the face.

«Hair is the basis of the image,» he explained to Hannah. A proper hairstyle can change the perception of the face, emphasize advantages and hide flaws. Then came the makeup turn.

The makeup artist worked carefully, aiming to enhance natural beauty, not create a mask. Light foundation evened the skin tone, shadows accentuated the depth of gray-blue eyes, mascara made lashes more expressive, and natural shade lipstick added freshness to the lips. The secret of good makeup is that people see your beauty, not the cosmetics, the master instructed.

In parallel, the manicurist worked on the hands, making nails beautiful and removing traces of heavy physical work with paraffin wraps. Signor Paul, Fabrizio finally called. «Done! Look! What Paul saw exceeded all his expectations.

Before him stood a completely different girl. Long hair was styled in an elegant hairstyle that opened the graceful neck line and emphasized aristocratic facial features. Light but professionally done makeup highlighted natural beauty without hiding it under a thick layer of cosmetics.

But the main change was in Hannah’s eyes. They were no longer full of despair and uncertainty. In them appeared a new sparkle, that special glow that women have when first realizing their strength and beauty.

«Oh my God!» she whispered, looking at her reflection in the large mirror. «Is this really me?» «I can’t believe it! This is the real you!» Paul replied, unable to hide admiration. The one that was hiding under the uniform and fatigue.

«But I still feel like the same girl inside. And that’s good,» Fabrizio noted. External changes should emphasize the inner essence, not replace it.

The next stage was wardrobe selection. Victoria’s personal stylist, Frenchwoman Gabrielle Dubois, brought a whole collection of outfits from the best fashion houses in Las Vegas. «For different days of the contest, different looks are needed,» she explained, hanging the outfits on special racks.

Sportswear for morning activities, business suit for intellectual challenges, cocktail dress for evening events, swimsuit for beach show, national costume, and of course, evening gown for the final. Hannah tried on several options, and with each new outfit, she seemed to discover new facets of her personality. The strict business suit added confidence and intellectuality.

The cocktail dress emphasized femininity and grace. Sportswear made her younger and more energetic. «You have a great figure for modeling,» Gabrielle noted.

«Clothes fit you perfectly.» That’s a big advantage. By the end of the first day, the main part of the external transformation was complete.

Hannah looked like a real participant in an international beauty contest. But Paul understood this was only the beginning. «Tomorrow we’ll tackle the most difficult,» he warned during dinner at the hotel restaurant.

«Walk, manners, ability to behave on stage. I’m worried,» Hannah admitted. «What if I don’t succeed? What if I seem ridiculous compared to other participants?» «It will succeed,» Paul said confidently.

«Do you know why? Because you have what many of them lack. What exactly? Authenticity. You’re real.

And that’s a great rarity in our time.» That night, Hannah stood long before the mirror in her new room. Paul insisted she be given a separate room befitting a contest participant.

She studied her new reflection and tried to get used to the thought that this elegant girl was really her. Somewhere deep inside, confidence was awakening—the same that once helped her get lead roles in institute productions. Tomorrow awaited a new day of transformation, and she was ready for it.

Tuesday started early. At eight a.m., Isabella Rossi began work, a former participant in international beauty contests and now one of the most sought-after trainers in runway walk and stage behavior in America. Isabella was a woman in her forties, impeccably built, with royal posture and a piercing gaze.

In the past, she herself participated in beauty contests, won several titles, then switched to preparing other girls. «We have very little time,» she warned, eyeing Hannah with professional interest. «Usually, preparation for a serious contest takes months of intensive training.

But I see good natural data and correct body proportions.» «We’ll manage,» Hannah replied confidently, and Paul was surprised to hear new notes of determination in her voice. The training took place in one of the spacious hotel halls usually used for conferences.

Isabella turned it into an improvised studio: set up mirrors, laid out an improvised runway, turned on music. «Runway walk is an art,» she explained. «It’s not just moving from point A to point B. It’s a way to tell a story, convey emotion, declare yourself.

The first lessons were dedicated to posture basics. Back straight but not tense. Chin slightly raised.

Imagine an invisible thread pulling you by the crown.» Isabella commanded. Hannah tried her best, but at first, movements came out stiff.

She concentrated too much on technical details and looked constrained. «Forget the technique for a minute,» Isabella advised after the first hour of training. «Just walk.

Imagine you’re walking toward the dearest person in your life.» Hannah tried again, thinking of her father waiting for her return home. And something changed.

Her walk became softer, more natural, but at the same time more confident. «Now that’s good,» the trainer approved. «You have natural grace.

It just needs to be properly directed and honed.» The next two hours, they practiced various types of walks: for business suit, for evening gown, for swimsuit. Each look required its own movement style.

In a business suit, the walk should be confident and energetic, Isabella explained. In an evening gown, more fluid and feminine. In a swimsuit, naturalness and lightness are important.

Gradually, Hannah began to feel the difference, understand how the look affects the manner of movement. In the second half of the day, they worked on interviews and public speaking. Paolo Benete joined the training, an experienced journalist and media trainer who had prepared many famous personalities for interviews.

The main rule for communicating with the press and jury is sincerity, he explained. People sense falsity from afar. Better to honestly say «I don’t know» than invent unconvincing answers.

Paolo asked questions typically heard at beauty contests, and Hannah learned to answer confidently and vividly. «What does beauty mean to you?» Paolo asked. Hannah thought for a few seconds, then replied.

«Beauty. It’s harmony. When a person lives in agreement with themselves and the surrounding world.

When they can see the beautiful in the ordinary and give joy to others. External beauty is important, but it’s worth nothing without inner content.» Excellent answer, Paolo nodded.

Sincere, deep, and at the same time understandable. Such answers are valued at international contests. «Tell about your plans for the future,» Paolo continued.

«I want to return to acting,» Hannah replied without hesitation. «That’s my true passion. But now I understand I need to be stronger, more confident in myself.

And if this contest helps me with that, I’ll be grateful to fate. And what would you do if you became the winner?» Paolo asked. Hannah thought again, then said.

«I would use this platform to help other girls in difficult situations. Show them that you can rise after any fall if you don’t give up.» Paul listened to her answers and realized the girl was not just beautiful; she was wise beyond her years.

Her life experience, though painful, gave her a depth of understanding lacking in many of her peers. By the evening of the second day, Hannah had changed significantly not only externally but internally. Her movements became more confident, speech livelier and more expressive, gaze brighter and more meaningful.

«Tomorrow is the last day of preparation,» Paul said. «Do you feel ready?» «Almost,» Hannah replied. «But there’s one thing still bothering me.»

«What?» «What if the other participants find out, remind me of my past?» «That I worked here as a cleaner.» «What if they laugh at me, like those girls in the dressing room?» Paul looked at her seriously. He expected this question.

Hannah, remember one thing once and for all. Your past is part of your story, not a reason for shame. Honest work doesn’t humiliate anyone.

If someone tries to use it against you, it says more about them than about you. But still. They’re from completely different families, with different opportunities.

And so what? Paul interrupted her. Do you think a person born into a rich family automatically becomes better than one who achieved everything themselves? On the contrary. You’ve gone through trials that tempered your character.

You have what spoiled princesses will never have: inner strength. Hannah nodded, but Paul saw the anxiety hadn’t fully passed. «Want me to tell you a secret?» — he offered.

«What? When I was just starting my business, I had no money, no connections. I lived in a rented room in a bad neighborhood, rode an old bike, wore the same suit every day. First clients laughed at me, considered me an upstart without a future.

And what saved you? Understanding that their opinion doesn’t define my value. Important not where you came from, but where you’re going. Your past doesn’t make you who you are; your present and future do.»

Hannah smiled for the first time in these days; her smile was truly calm and confident. «Thank you,» she said, «for everything you’re doing for me. I don’t even know how to repay you.»..