Chapter 29

Morning sunlight streamed through the car window, casting a golden glow on Aria Bennett's delicate profile as she deftly wove strands of straw. The livestream chat exploded with excitement.

[OMG! She actually remembers the way back?]

[Her memory is insane!]

[No way. Waiting for her to mess up.]

Mason Bell tightened his grip on the steering wheel, glancing at her skeptically. "Ms. Bennett, are you sure you remember the route?"

Without looking up, Aria continued weaving. "Turn left."

The car veered onto a narrow country road. Elliot Hayes leaned forward curiously. "Ms. Bennett, what are you making?"

"Our secret weapon for selling cherries," she replied with a playful wink.

Kieran Doyle, lounging in his seat with a piece of straw between his teeth, smirked. "Let me guess—a straw hat?"

"Wrong." Aria chuckled as the straw took shape in her hands.

[Ahhh! So excited!]

[Her fingers move so fast!]

[How many hidden talents does she have?!]

Owen Parker suddenly pointed ahead. "Hey, isn’t that the crooked tree we passed earlier?"

The group gasped—Aria’s directions had been flawless.

Leo Brooks’s eyes widened. "Ms. Bennett, you actually memorized the whole route?"

"Mhm." She finally looked up. "Take a right up ahead, and we’ll reach town."

Mason’s knuckles whitened around the wheel, disbelief written across his face.

[No freaking way! She did it!]

[What kind of superhuman memory is this?!]

[Bet the haters are crying right now.]

Elliot stared in awe at the delicate straw basket forming in Aria’s hands. "Ms. Bennett, can you teach us?"

"Of course." She slowed her movements. "Watch closely—first, you do this..."

Kieran suddenly spat out his straw and scooted closer. "Let me try."

[LMAO the tsundere act is crumbling!]

[Kieran, your tough-guy image is ruined!]

[Aria’s charm is too powerful.]

By the time the car rolled into town, Aria had finished three intricately woven baskets, each adorned with wildflowers.

Elliot swallowed hard. "Are we... really using these to sell cherries?"

Aria grinned mischievously. "No. These are our secret weapons."

[Ohhh! It’s a marketing strategy!]

[Her business sense is next-level.]

[Is there anything this woman can’t do?]

Mason parked and turned to face her. "Ms. Bennett, seriously—what can’t you do?"

Tying a final ribbon on the last basket, Aria winked. "That’s classified."

[AHHH! That wink killed me!]

[This woman is dangerously charming.]

[Officially a fan now.]

Meanwhile, the livestream viewer count skyrocketed. No one had expected a talent show mentor to captivate the entire audience—armed with nothing but straw and an impeccable memory.