Oscar frowned, his voice a low growl. "What''s it to you?"


    He barely knew Freya. They were just neighbors, nothing more. Yet here she was, reminding him of his family rule.


    He shrugged off her hand, recoiling from her touch. Freya flushed, stung by the rejection.


    Tomas, overhearing, stepped in. "Oscar, that''s no way to talk to ady. Don''t worry, Freya. I''ll have a word with him."


    But his chivalry only fanned Freya''s humiliation. She stormed off, finding Debra in the dance studio. She marched up, hand raised to strike, but Debra caught her wrist. "What''s your problem?"


    Freya, always the picture of calm, was unraveling.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "You''re shameless. Stringing men along, and now you''re after Oscar too?"


    She tried to wrench free, but Debra held firm. "I don''t know what you''re talking about. Are you jealous?"


    Her words hit a nerve, and Freya''s face darkened.


    "I..."


    "I see." Debra released her, stepping back. "If you like someone, you should make an effort to win them over. If you like him, you should go tell him rather than make things difficult for me."


    Freya''s eyes shed. "What do you know? You know nothing about his family. They don''t allow him to date. Stay away from him."


    "And who are you to him?" Debra retorted. "Sister? Rtive? Girlfriend, or wife?"


    "I..." Freya faltered, and Debra pressed on. "You''re warning people off, but you have no im on him. That''s ridiculous."


    Embarrassed, Freya spun on her heel and fled the studio.


    Not knowing about what happened


    the other trainees filtered in,


    whispering among themselves


    "Even Freya can''t stand her. She is something else."


    Debra toweled off, snapping, "Rather than gossip about me here, you''d better focus on impressing Mr. Odom this afternoon."


    Ashley bristled, about to say


    something, but Debra grabbed a towel and headed out, hoping the female trainees'' effortster would distract Edgar from causing trouble for her and Oscar.


    Stimted by Debra''s words, the trainees did their best to touch up their makeup and put on their best outfits during the lunch break.


    The studio was a sea of sequins and lipstick. Edgar, upon entering, felt like he''d walked into an exclusive club.


    Henry, pleased with the well-prepared trainees, couldn''t help but clear his throat when he saw his daughter also dressed up nicely. He said, "Eve,e meet Mr. Odom."