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…»

But real problems started during the lunch break. Monica Stein approached Hannah with a few other participants when she was sitting at a separate table. «Listen, newbie,» Monica said with a cold smile, «don’t think your touching story about a poor girl impressed anyone.»

«We understand perfectly what’s going on. What exactly is going on?» Hannah asked calmly. «You’re here thanks to the patronage of one of the jury members.

This whole Cinderella spectacle is just a PR stunt. I’m here for the same reason as you: desire to participate in the contest and readiness to fight for results,» Hannah replied, not raising her voice. «Participate?» — laughed the Frenchwoman Isabelle.

«Yeah, you were mopping floors yesterday. What do you know about the world of beauty and fashion? Your place is in the utility room, not on the runway,» added the Italian Giulia. «Your job is to clean toilets, not compete with real models.»

Hannah felt a familiar pain rising inside. These words hit right on target, awakening all old complexes and fears. But then Paul approached the group.

«Excuse the interruption, ladies,» he said with icy politeness. «But it seems you’re confusing a beauty contest with a contest of origins.» «Mr. Harrison, we’re just expressing our opinion,» Monica tried to justify.

«Your opinion is clear,» Paul replied. «But allow me to remind you that true elegance manifests not in the size of parents’ bank account, but in the ability to behave decently toward other people.» He took Hannah by the arm.

«Let’s go; we have a lot to do.» When they walked away, Hannah was close to tears. «Maybe they’re right,» she whispered.

«What have I imagined? I really was cleaning these corridors just three days ago.» Paul stopped and turned her to face him. «Listen to me carefully.

These girls are afraid of you. Do you know why? Because you’re real. You have a soul that they’ve lost in years of competition and pretense.

And that scares them. But how will I get through the remaining challenges if they keep attacking me? Stay yourself. Don’t let them throw you off.

And remember, you have the main advantage—you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.» In the evening, the grand opening ceremony of the contest took place. All participants walked the red carpet before numerous photographers and journalists.

Hannah looked stunning in an elegant cocktail dress, but most importantly, she held herself with dignity. When she was introduced to the public, loud applause erupted. The story of the girl who rose from the utility room to the stage of an international contest truly captured the audience’s imagination.

And tomorrow the main challenges begin, Victoria announced at the end of the ceremony. I wish all participants luck. After the official part, Hannah and Paul met in the hotel bar.

The first day is over, Hannah said. I survived. You didn’t just survive; you made an impression.

Did you see how journalists and spectators greeted you? Yes, but the other participants. Forget about them. Focus on yourself, on your goals.

Tomorrow are the most important challenges, but neither of them suspected that their conversation was being overheard by a woman in dark glasses sitting at the next table. It was Sophia, who had managed to escape custody during transportation and secretly make it to Las Vegas. Friday began with a tense atmosphere in the hotel.

Today, the participants had to go through three main stages of the contest. Swimsuit catwalk, intellectual test with interview, and creative performance. Based on the day’s results, five finalists were determined.

Hannah woke up with a firm determination to prove her worth. The rivals’ words the day before only strengthened her desire to fight for a spot in the final. The first challenge—swimsuit catwalk—was to show the participants’ natural beauty and ability to behave on the runway.

For many girls, this was the most stressful stage. Hannah was more nervous than others; unlike professional models, she had no experience performing in swimsuits before a large audience.

But when her turn came to go on stage, something inside her switched. She stepped onto the runway under bright spotlights and felt at home. All the trainings with Isabella, all the instructions on correct posture and walk, all merged into perfect movement.

The hall fell silent. Hannah moved along the runway with such natural grace, as if born for it. Her beauty was completely different—not retouched and artificial, but alive, real, breathing.

Jury members exchanged glances of surprise and approval. Even those who didn’t know her backstory saw a special girl before them. Who is she? Whispered French actress Michelle Dupont, a jury member.

«A modern Cinderella,» someone from the jury replied. When Hannah finished her catwalk and left the runway, the applause was louder and longer than for previous participants. She herself couldn’t believe what was happening—for the first time in her life, she felt truly confident and beautiful.

The second stage—intellectual test and jury interview—went even more successfully. Questions touched on modern problems, art, politics, ecology. Hannah answered thoughtfully and sincerely.

When asked about the role of women in modern society, she said, «I believe a modern woman should be self-sufficient and strong, but not lose femininity and ability to empathize. We can build careers and achieve success without becoming rigid or cynical.» «Tell about the most difficult period in your life,» asked Michelle Dupont.

Hannah thought for a second, then decided to be honest to the end. I was expelled from theater institute on false accusation. People I trusted betrayed me for their own goals.

It destroyed my faith in justice and made me think dreams are a luxury I can’t afford. And what helped you get out of that state? Hannah looked into the hall at where Paul sat, meeting a person who believed in me more than I did myself. Who showed that falling is not the end of the story, but an opportunity to rise even higher and become stronger.

Japanese designer Hiroshi Tanaka nodded approvingly. «Very wise words for such a young girl. Life experience is also a form of beauty.

The third challenge was the creative performance. Each participant had to prepare a act demonstrating her talents and individuality. Hannah had an advantage: theater education and natural acting gift.

Most girls chose dances or singing—standard numbers for beauty contests. Hannah decided to recite a monologue: an excerpt from Anton Chekhov’s «The Seagull,» the one she prepared in institute before admission. When she stepped on stage, silence fell in the hall.

Hannah was dressed in a simple black dress, without bright decorations or musical accompaniment. Just her, the spotlight, and her voice. And when she spoke, magic happened.

Her voice was magnetic, mesmerizing. She didn’t just recite the text; she lived it, experienced every phrase, every emotion. In the hall, people forgot they were at a beauty contest.

Before them was a real actress who could make you believe any story with just voice and mimicry. The monologue was about a young girl dreaming of the stage, fame, love, but facing cruel reality. Hannah spoke of dreams and disappointments, hope and despair, and every word resonated in the listeners’ hearts.

When she finished, such silence stood in the hall that you could hear water dripping somewhere. Then applause erupted: long, sincere, admiring. People stood from their seats, not holding back emotions.

Paul sat stunned by what he saw. Hannah was not just a beautiful girl he decided to use for revenge. She was truly talented, a strong woman who deserved the best.

And at that moment, he finally understood that his revenge plans no longer mattered. Now he wanted Hannah to win not to spite Sophia, but because she deserved it. Because he had fallen in love with her.

After all challenges ended, results were to be announced in the evening. The jury retired for deliberation, and participants waited in the hotel lobby. The tension was almost tangible.

Out of 25 girls, only 5 advanced to the final. Hannah sat aside, mentally replaying the day’s events. She had done all she could. The rest was not in her power.

In the evening, when announcing results, tension in the hall peaked. Advancing to the final, the host announced solemnly: Monica Stein from Germany, Isabelle Durand from France, Carla Santos from Brazil, Amelia Johnson from the United Kingdom, and… Hannah Clarke from the United States. The hall exploded with applause.

Hannah couldn’t believe it; she had made it to the final of an international beauty contest. Even those participants who initially treated her skeptically now congratulated her sincerely. But the joy was overshadowed by the reaction of some who didn’t make the final.

Monica, though advanced, was clearly unhappy that Hannah was competing with her. This is unfair, she whispered, passing by Hannah. It’s all rigged, but Hannah no longer paid attention to malicious comments.

She had achieved the impossible, advanced to the final honestly, by her own efforts. Paul approached her with a bouquet of flowers. «Congratulations, finalist!» he said with pride in his voice.

«You deserved this spot.» «Thank you,» Hannah replied, beaming with happiness. «For everything.

Without you, this would never have happened. It happened thanks to your talent and willpower. I only gave you the opportunity.

And again, neither suspected that their conversation was being watched. Behind a column in the hotel lobby stood a woman in dark glasses and a scarf, carefully following their every move. It was Sophia again.

And she had a plan to destroy Paul’s happiness with his new passion. Sophia Harrison arrived in Las Vegas the previous evening, having escaped French police during transportation to the airport. The guard she bribed while in jail helped her flee the van at one of the stops.

She had fake documents, a small amount of money, and a huge thirst for revenge. The last days she spent on the run, constantly changing locations and appearance. Money was running out, prospects growing bleaker, and before her eyes was the picture…