The crowd's taunts escalated, each insult cutting deeper into Meesha's fragile confidence. "You're a freak!" someone jeered. "A makeup-covered monstrosity!" another shouted. The ladies in the crowd joined in, their voices dripping with venom. "You're an insult to beauty!" one of them sneered. "A pathetic excuse for a woman!" another chimed in. "Your face is a disaster!" a voice shouted from the back. "A catastrophe!" someone else echoed.

  The manager's expression turned grave, his eyes flashing with anger. "Enough!" he thundered, his voice silencing the crowd. "Is this what you all learned? Mocking someone because of their looks?" He scolded the crowd, his words laced with disdain. "Shame on you all!"

  The manager then turned to Meesha, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry for what happened," he said, his voice softening. "It's okay if you don't want to take your makeup off. We'll take the photo that way." He offered Meesha a gentle smile, trying to reassure her that she was more than her physical appearance.

  Meesha's voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, her words laced with a hint of sadness. "No... no need," she said, her eyes downcast. "I'll take my makeup off."

  A woman from the team stepped forward, leading Meesha towards the bathroom with a gentle touch.

  As Meesha stood before the mirror, she let out a deep sigh, the sound echoing through the bathroom walls. She began to wash off her makeup, the colorful layers disappearing down the drain. After drying her face with a towel, she gazed at her reflection, her eyes scanning her features. She looked beautiful, but a nagging voice in her head insisted she looked better with makeup on.

  As Meesha emerged from the bathroom, the crowd gasped in unison, their eyes widening in awe.

  She dropped her eyes, assuming their shock was due to her "ugly" appearance.

  Meesha's natural beauty was breathtaking. Her skin was a radiant, porcelain-like complexion, with a subtle sheen that hinted at her inner glow. Her eyes, now free from the heavy makeup, sparkled like sapphires, their blue color mesmerizing. Her lips, once red and plumpy, now maintained its natural pink color and heart-shaped rim. A tiny dark mole dotted next to the skin beside her eye, a striking flaw.

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  The crowd was stunned, not by her "ugliness," but by her breathtaking beauty. They were shocked to see Meesha, the world-renowned supermodel, standing before them. Her fame and fortune were legendary, with a net worth that rivaled that of A-list celebrities. Her face had graced the covers of countless fashion magazines, and her name was synonymous with beauty and style.

  The crowd erupted into a chorus of admiration, with fans screaming her name and begging for autographs. "Wow, you're Meesha!" "OMG, I'm such a huge fan!" "She's even more beautiful in person!" "Meesha is my ultimate idol – I'm so honored to be competing with her!"

  As the crowd continued to fawn over her, Meesha's confidence soared. She remembered the Fire&Ice perfume advertisement she had shot, which had sold out worldwide due to her stunning beauty. She smiled, feeling a sense of vindication – she was beautiful, with or without makeup.

  The crowd's admiration reached a fever pitch, with fans apologizing profusely for their earlier insults. "We're so sorry for what we said earlier. We were just so stupid!" "Please forgive us, Meesha – we were blind to your beauty!" "You're an inspiration to us all – thank you for being such a role model!" "We're honored to be in your presence – you're a true beauty icon!"

  Hazel, however, seethed with jealousy, her nails digging deeper into her skin as she watched Meesha bask in the admiration of the crowd.

  It felt unfair that Meesha was taking all the glory. She gritted her teeth, her anger simmering just below the surface. She was willing to do whatever it took to ensure Meesha didn't win the competition, even if it meant eliminating anyone who stood in her way. She would make Meesha's stay in the competition so hard, so hard that she would eventually request to drop out herself.

  The director, meanwhile, looked on in stunned silence, his eyes wide with wonder. He had misjudged Xanqer's taste in women, it seemed. Meesha was truly breathtaking, a vision of loveliness that left him speechless.

  The photographer, a warm smile spreading across his face, beckoned Meesha to follow him. "Please, come this way," he said, leading her to the photo studio. Meesha's ID photo was taken with ease, her natural beauty shining through even in the simple, unadorned photograph.

  As the auditions drew to a close, the selected candidates were brought together to take a group photo. Everyone jostled for position, eager to stand beside Meesha in the picture. The manager, a harried look on his face, coordinated the group, ensuring everyone was in place. Those who were lucky enough to stand beside Meesha beamed with pride, their smiles wide and genuine.

  As the photo was printed out and distributed among the group, the candidates couldn't help but praise Meesha's beauty. "You truly stand out in this photo," one of them said, her eyes shining with admiration. The other ladies apologized to Meesha once again, their faces etched with remorse. "We're so sorry for our behavior earlier," one of them said. "We hope to see you in the contest."

  As Meesha made her way out of the venue, a group of ladies rushed towards her, their faces familiar. They were the same ones who had mocked her earlier, alongside Hazel. Meesha's instincts told her to run, but the ladies quickly stopped her, their eyes shining with sincerity. "Don't go! We came to apologize to you," one of them said, her voice urgent.

  Meesha's eyes narrowed, unsure of what to make of their sudden change of heart. "I'm sorry for insulting you earlier," one of the ladies said, her face etched with remorse. "We were misled by Hazel. She told us that if we wanted to remain her entourage, we must support any of her bad behaviors. We were just desperate, we didn't mean what we said."

  Right then, Hazel stomped towards them, her fists clenched in anger. "Why are you apologizing to her? Aren't you all with me?"