Annie could only stand where she was, her smile much more restrained than before.
Lin Mo noticed, but he didn't call her out in front of everyone. He simply reached out and gave Joanna's hand a squeeze, then turned to Ashley.
"What's the plan from here?"
"First, we announce the results."
Ashley glanced down at the message she had just received.
"The media are already waiting outside. Reception was just asking roughly when we'd be finished here."
After all, this had been a nationwide open selection. After so much publicity, they had to let the public know who had ultimately been chosen.
Besides, Lin Mo, Joanna, and Maeve were all here today. Even if the reporters had only come for those three, they weren't going to leave this soon. They probably already had their questions lined up, just waiting for the new member to make an appearance.
At the mention of the media, Annie's shoulders, which had only just relaxed, tensed slightly again.
"Do I have to go out there now?" she asked with some apprehension. She had only just been selected, and now she was about to face the national media. She hadn't quite made that mental adjustment yet.
"Yes."
Ashley looked at her.
"But don't be nervous. I'll walk you through the process first."
Listening to them, Lin Mo offered a little encouragement too. "Get the stuff outside out of the way first."
"Once you're done, we'll throw you a welcome party. It'll be a good chance to meet everyone else too."
Annie's eyes lit up again.
This time, she remembered to glance at Joanna beside him before nodding in agreement.
"Okay."
Watching from the side, Maeve finally couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.
Ashley had already closed her folder and beckoned to the staff waiting by