Ulterior Motives

"Tonight has been quite the eye-opener."

Albert emerged from the bathroom with a dry towel draped over his head. He had just sat down at the table, ready to use the Two-Way Mirror to chat with Isobel.

Then someone knocked on the door.

"Is something wrong?"

Albert hurriedly dried the remaining water from his hair with the towel. When he opened the door, he found Diana, the bar owner, and her daughter Yanila standing in the corridor outside.

"Here's the list."

Diana smiled as she handed Albert a sheet of paper. "The competition starts at around ten tomorrow morning. You can choose one spell from the list and demonstrate it before the judges."

Albert accepted the paper and glanced over its contents. His gaze then fell upon the stack of papers in Diana's hand, and he quickly guessed what was going on.

The competition was starting tomorrow. Every contestant needed to demonstrate magic before the judges, so they had to make preparations in advance to avoid being caught off guard by any mishaps.

As for Yanila's curious, appraising gaze, Albert simply ignored it.

"Thank you. I understand."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Diana, Albert closed the door again. As he turned to return to the table, he heard the mother and daughter talking in the corridor.

"Mother, you were right. Mr. Anderson really is a very special person. But he seems to know what you're trying to do, and he doesn't like it." Yanila spoke very softly, and Albert could barely make out her words.

"Don't be silly, my daughter." Diana looked at Yanila's beautiful face and said softly, "You're so pretty, you're a famous singer, and what man could possibly refuse you?"

"Didn't you say he already has a girlfriend?" Yanila frowned, clearly disapproving of Diana's suggestion.

"So