Chapter 96
Celeste frowned slightly, seeming a bit disapproving.
It wasn't that she was taking Freya's side—someone had asked her to look after Freya a bit, and she couldn't refuse them.
However, Celeste's upbringing made it impossible for her to be cold-faced.
"Ms. Thomas, you're Mr. White's fiancée and the principal dancer of the troupe. Surely you wouldn't make things difficult for a minor role?"
Celeste still had a smile on her face, and her tone was polite enough, but she was clearly protecting Freya.
"Thank you, Ms. Harris."
Freya obviously knew Celeste, and her face immediately showed gratitude.
However, when Freya looked at Evelyn, the timid look in her eyes was still very obvious.
Petty and overly timid, not presentable at all.
This was both Evelyn and Celeste's judgment of Freya at the same time. It's just that Evelyn and Celeste had different positions, so their attitudes toward her were different, too.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in making things difficult for people."
Evelyn's smile didn't change: "Come to think of it, Ms. Stewart's brother is Benjamin's lifesaver. I certainly wouldn't make things hard for him."
Benjamin had said he would send Freya abroad, but in the end, he couldn't bear to part with her.
She was a bit angry inside, but Evelyn didn't show it on her face.
Of course, she wouldn't make things difficult for Freya—because she would deal with Benjamin directly!
Solving the root cause was the best strategy.
Celeste didn't know much about Evelyn, and she didn't have that much emotional attachment to Freya either.
She nodded slightly and prepared to leave: "I won't disturb you from discussing business. I'll take my leave."
After watching her disappear, Evelyn looked at Gregory Lopez: "I have some requirements about the stage. Can we talk?"
"Mr. Lopez," Freya spoke up immediately, "I don't mind. You can talk with Ms. Thomas first."
Never mind that she was just a minor role who'd just been sent over—even if she had some stage experience, she'd still have to be respectful in front of the principal dancer.
But her words were clearly aimed at Evelyn, making it seem like Evelyn was being difficult and cutting in line ahead of her.
Evelyn had no interest in arguing with someone like Freya.
But she wasn't going to take a loss on something like this either.
"Mr. Lopez, did you already have an appointment with her? Then I came at the wrong time. Set a time, and I'll come back later."
Evelyn's polite manner showed no intention of competing.
She wasn't just saying it either. She looked around and said, "I'll go check out the stage design. You two talk first."
Throughout the whole process, her smile never changed, but she never once glanced at Freya.
She didn't hide her disgust and disdain for Freya at all.
Gregory was a man, but as the director of Star Dance Troupe, he dealt with all kinds of women every day and had long been immune to their tactics.
How could he not see now that Freya was deliberately trying to squeeze out Evelyn?
But Celeste had specifically mentioned it, and Brian had also called him earlier. As a small-time director, he didn't dare offend Freya.
What's more, Evelyn had just said that Freya's brother was Benjamin's lifesaver.
With that kind of relationship, shouldn't he give Freya some special treatment?
"Then Ms. Thomas can take a look first. I'll go make arrangements."
He arranged for someone to accompany Evelyn, then left with Freya.
Evelyn had been to The White Group Branch many times and didn't really think there was anything worth seeing, so she sat down in the lounge to drink coffee.
After drinking too much coffee, she naturally needed to use the restroom.
And the restroom always seemed to be where you could hear gossip. She'd only been in the stall for a short while when she heard several women talking.
"Did you see? That Ms. Stewart was specially arranged into the troupe by Mr. White."
"Didn't they say she was arranged by Ms. Harris? Mr. White has a fiancée—why would he look after someone else?"
"She's not just anyone—she's the sister of Mr. White's lifesaver!"
They were gossiping enthusiastically. Evelyn, in the bathroom stall, wasn't sure for a moment whether she should go out or not.
But staying here made her feel uncomfortable.
Just as she was about to push the door open, one sentence stopped her.
"She's not just the sister of Mr. White's lifesaver! Mr. White basically treats her like his own sister! As soon as she arrived, she gave everyone an Hermès scarf. Even Ms. Thomas isn't that generous with money."
The troupe had at least twenty people.
One Hermès scarf per person—that wasn't something Freya could afford. It could only be Benjamin footing the bill.
Evelyn's brow furrowed slightly.
Benjamin gave Freya financial compensation—she didn't see a problem with that. But being this extravagant, what was it for?
Benjamin was backing Freya up, so who was Freya's opponent?
Evelyn's finger landed on the door lock. In the end, she didn't open it, but listened to the voices outside.
"You mean Mr. White and Ms. Stewart..."
"Very likely."
"Then what about Ms. Thomas?"
"Who doesn't know her heart belongs to Matthew? It's normal for Mr. White to have other thoughts."
The person seemed to speak with some regret: "If I'd known Mr. White's feelings for Ms. Thomas weren't that devoted, I would've tried my luck too."
"What are you thinking! You should think about how to get on the good side of the future Mrs. White instead."
The young girls left laughing.
Standing in place, Evelyn narrowed her eyes. Benjamin wasn't that devoted to her?
Lounge.
Evelyn sat on the sofa. Watching Gregory walk in with Freya, her red lips unconsciously pressed together.
What, did everyone think she was about to be abandoned by Benjamin?
She was already bright and striking by nature, but once her aura turned cold, it gave people a feeling of noble aloofness that made them afraid to look directly at her.
Gregory was already feeling guilty, and seeing the expression on her face now, the smile on his face became even more uneasy.
"Ms. Thomas, regarding the stage design, Freya has some ideas, so she came along to discuss."
"You're not afraid of me anymore?"
Evelyn never had a pleasant face for people she didn't like, and she didn't give Freya any face either, coming out with a cool remark.
"Just now, when you said one sentence to me, you looked like you were about to cry."
"Now you dare to come over—how did your courage suddenly surge?"
"Could it be that just now, something suddenly gave you unlimited strength?"
Her unhurried manner and measured tone made it seem like she was just chatting.
But that noble, cold face of hers really did carry a frightening unease.
"Ms. Thomas."
Freya seemed to gather her courage and took a step forward: "Can you not have such a big prejudice against me?"
"I know you don't like me, but since I've joined the troupe, I should try to make it better."
Freya's timid appearance, fingers clutching at her clothes, trying hard to express herself—she looked exactly like a delicate flower in the wind, resilient yet struggling.
Evelyn's lips twitched: "Knowing I don't like you, you still insisted on joining Star Dance Troupe."
"What, you think I haven't bullied you in the past, not perfect enough?"
"Since you insisted on making the first move, I'll definitely give you that chance. How about it?"
Her soft, gentle manner and the obvious smile on her face somehow gave people an incredibly frightening feeling.
Even though Freya had prepared herself mentally, she hadn't expected it to be like this.
A flash of surprise crossed Freya's eyes. Her peripheral vision caught Gregory's troubled expression, and she immediately said, "Since Ms. Thomas doesn't welcome me, I should leave."
"Mr. Lopez, don't feel troubled on my account."
"As for Benjamin, I'll talk to him."