Chapter 346: Stage Explosion

Chloe Morgan's POV

Matilda seemed puzzled but said, "Let's just watch and see what kind of performance they put on."

I felt the same way.

Once the foreign dance troupe officially took the stage, their performance began.

This group's makeup and styling were completely different from what they'd worn during rehearsals. I figured maybe this was their artistic vision.

But looking closer, while their facial expressions seemed fine, the dance they performed was totally different from their previous style—seductive yet somehow frightening.

The choreography was beautiful, but it made me uncomfortable. Every movement they made sent chills down my spine.

Their dance was so strange. Matilda watched them with an equally odd expression. "What are they even dancing?"

I said curiously, "Is this some new choreography they picked?"

But I couldn't shake the feeling that the lead dancer's movements seemed intentional—her kicks, the way she lifted her head, her arm movements, even her expressions. Everything felt familiar.

Like I'd seen this dance somewhere as a child. The memory was vague but persistent, though I was certain I'd never watched anything like this before. Even the lead dancer herself seemed incredibly familiar.

I just couldn't remember who she might be. What was this dance trying to tell me?

My mind was in complete turmoil.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice—Dominic had arrived. He came over and wrapped me in his arms, saying, "You've got this. You're definitely going to win this dance competition."

Being held like that, seeing the warm smile on his face, my attention instantly shifted. I felt better and stopped thinking about the lead dancer.

For the rest of the performance, I didn't pay much attention. Dominic kept holding me and talking to me.

The lead dancer's routine didn't seem that unusual anymore. Dominic kept reassuring me, "You're just overthinking it. Every dance has its own style, no matter how it's performed."

I nodded. "I guess you're right."

But the lingering sense of dread hadn't completely faded. Dominic took my hand and pulled me closer, pressing his face against mine as he whispered, "Don't be scared. I'm right here with you."

Liam Anderson's POV

I definitely wouldn't miss this dance competition.

Today's a good day—the day to close the net.

I brought Mary and Grace along, but those two don't dare show their faces openly. They're huddled in the corner like two venomous snakes waiting for their moment.

I can't be too conspicuous either. It's not time for my grand entrance yet, so I found a hidden spot to sit, keeping my eyes glued to the stage and backstage movements.

Grace and Mary's gazes are desperate, especially Grace. She's practically bouncing in her seat. "Why aren't Chloe and her team on stage yet? Once they're up there, we can sneak backstage and make our move. They'll all be dead by then. We're just waiting for them to get up there."

I roll my eyes. "Chill. Everything's going according to plan."

This kind of thing can't be rushed. We have to wait for the perfect moment.

They nod, but I can see the hatred practically spilling from their eyes.

They've waited too long for this day. They even think they should have sent someone to kill Chloe when she was still a kid—it would've saved them all this trouble.

Mary's face darkens, getting angrier by the second. Grace lets out a cold laugh. "Today's her death day. Dominic better not think about arranging her funeral. Best if he dies with her in some tragic love story."

Mary's gaze instantly turns cold as death. She turns to me. "You'd better have everything arranged properly. If we get exposed, all three of us are screwed."

Grace and I exchange glances. We both understand—this is our moment of revenge.

I say coldly, "Relax. Everything's ready. As long as you two stick to the plan, we'll succeed."

The performance continues, but my attention isn't on the stage at all.

When the foreign dance troupe finishes, the judges give them high scores and applause thunders through the venue. Next up—time for Chloe's team to take the stage.

Grace stares daggers at Chloe's figure until she walks onto the stage.

I snap my fingers lightly, signaling them to begin.

Mary and Grace slip quietly toward backstage.

That's where we hid our stuff beforehand—the bombs.

I don't follow them, but I know their steps: plant the bombs, blow up the stage rigging, and make sure Chloe either breaks her legs or barely survives.

But Mary thinks that's not enough. She wants to add the people I arranged as backup. Once the stage explodes, they'll drag Chloe away and literally drag her to death.

What I didn't expect was for Dominic to appear suddenly.

He'd already noticed something off about the backstage foot traffic. He caught Mary and Grace red-handed and brought his gang members to arrest them and lock them up.

When I got this news, the fury in my chest nearly burned through my ribcage.

The plan got disrupted? Impossible.

I refuse to let this day go to waste.

So I contacted the leader—she's my real ace in the hole.

We already had a backup plan. She'd hidden bombs at the venue beforehand.

I signal her to move, and she immediately detonates the bombs. The scene instantly erupts into chaos.

Watching the audience scream and scatter, I actually feel calmer—chaos is the perfect cover.

The leader goes completely insane, charging out from the crowd with a gleaming dagger in her hand, lunging straight for Chloe.

I can almost see that blade plunging down.

But just as the knife tip is about to reach Chloe, Dominic suddenly rushes forward, kicks the dagger away, and pulls Chloe into his arms.

I grit my teeth in the shadows. Dominic's gang members quickly swarm the leader, pinning her to the ground.

Watching her get subdued, irritation floods through me—so close again.

Dominic carries Chloe off the stage, his gaze cold as steel, interrogating the leader. "What the hell are you doing all this for? Trying to get yourself thrown in prison? Chloe never did anything to you!"

The leader sobs hysterically, staring daggers at Chloe. "Did you forget everything? You almost killed me! I nearly died because of you! Did you think I was already dead? Surprise! I lived to see this day, and I'm here for revenge! You think you're innocent? You brought this on yourself!"

Watching this scene from the shadows, I smirk coldly.

So she couldn't help but spill the truth after all.

Too bad—we didn't manage to kill Chloe today, but I know this game isn't over yet.