“Then that’s good.” Maddie exhaled with exaggerated relief. “The last thing we need is you trending for attempted parasol-based property damage.”
We just exchanged glances, and Maddie gave me a look that seemed to say,It’s all fine.Then we stepped out from behind the velvet divider, rejoining the soft buzz of the Champions’ Dinner.
As we neared the crowd, Maddie suddenly slowed. “Wait. Look.”
I followed her gaze and spotted Alex across the room, standing near one of the catering staff. She wasn’t smiling, but she wasn’t cold either, just composed, her voice low and calm as she spoke. Her brows were slightly furrowed in concern.
“What’s she doing?” I asked, curious.
“Only one way to find out,” Maddie said, already veering subtly in their direction, pretending to inspect a passing tray of macarons. I trailed behind her, trying not to look too obvious.
We lingered a few feet away, just close enough to catch the tail end of Alex’s conversation. She was facing awayfrom us, so she couldn’t see that we were probably eavesdropping.
“No, it’s fine,” Alex was saying. “I don’t want anyone getting in trouble over it. It was just a jammed sliding door. I used the parasol to pop the latch; that’s all. I will talk and explain everything to the head that it was my fault and none of your staff, it was just a mis hap”.
The staffer looked flustered. “Still, Miss Cadiz, you don’t have to own up to that damage.”
“Don't worry about it, and I’ll cover all the damage,” she said firmly but not unkindly. “I don’t want this incident affecting anyone else. It was just me.”
The staff was about to say something, but then just said their thank you.
She gave a small nod, then walked away.
Maddie turned to me with raised brows. “Well, damn.”
“She didn’t even mention I was there.”
“She took the blame and offered to pay for it all,” Maddie said, sounding almost impressed. “That’s not Mysterious Queen behavior, that's more like a Knight.”
Before I could say anything else to Maddie, a familiar, poised voice spoke from behind us.
“There’s the champion.”
I turned, and my eyes widened. Amelia Wilson was standing in front of me, holding a champagne flute with the kind of elegance that didn’t need effort.
“Oh, Mrs. Wilson. Hi,” I stammered, trying to gather my scattered thoughts.
Maddie gave me a quick side glance and a small smirk before mouthing,Good luck, and making a swift, polite excuse. “I’m gonna give you two a moment. I see the dessert cart calling my name.”
She vanished into the crowd, leaving me standing face to face with a tennis royalty.
Mrs. Wilson smiled warmly. “I just wanted to say congratulations, Olivia. You played with such control and fire. It was one of the best Wimbledon finals I’ve watched in years.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilson,” I said, heart thumping for the second time that evening. “That really means a lot coming from you.”
She tilted her head. “You know, watching you out there brought back memories. You’ve come a long way since the days we’d find you sneaking extra drills after hours at the academy.”
I smiled, a little bashfully. “I didn’t think anyone noticed.”
“We noticed,” she said with a knowing look. “Even back then, it was clear you had something special. You weren’t just working hard, you were working smart. That’s rare at that age.”
I swallowed the knot in my throat, unsure what to say. But then she continued, her tone shifting ever so slightly, like she was sliding into a well-practiced pitch.
“I know this might be a long shot,” Mrs. Wilson began, her voice calm but laced with affection. “But our academy’s graduation is coming up next week in Brisbane, and we would be truly honored to have you as our guest speaker.”
She paused, her expression softening into something almost motherly. “You’ve grown into such an extraordinary young woman, Olivia, not just as an athlete, but as a person. The kids look up to you.” A warm smile touched her face. “And really, who better to inspire them than the reigning Wimbledon champion?”
My eyes widened. “Wow. Mrs. Wilson, that’s... I mean, thank you. Really. I don’t even know what to say.”
