Chapter 110
Ruin Evelyn?
Freya's expression shifted as she looked up at Matthew.
His lips curved into a smile: "You can't mess this up again, or else I'll punish you."
She was so scared that she immediately lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
"I'll handle it properly."
"Go rest. There's a rehearsal tomorrow, and it's not good to be too tired."
His sinister look from moments ago seemed like an illusion - now he had returned to that warm and pleasant demeanor.
Freya's tense nerves didn't relax until she entered the bedroom and locked the door behind her.
All the grievances she'd suffered, she would get back from Evelyn - with interest!
At that moment, Evelyn simply washed up and flopped onto the bed.
"So sleepy, I'm going to sleep now. Don't bother me."
By the end, her words were almost like mumbling.
Benjamin looked at Evelyn, rolled up in a ball with her blanket, his eyes showing a tenderness he himself hadn't even noticed.
Anything that affected her happiness shouldn't exist.
The next day, when Evelyn woke up, Benjamin had already left.
But he'd left her a note explaining what he needed to handle today, and reminding her to call him if anything came up.
"This really does feel like being in a relationship."
She held the note and spun around the room once, feeling especially energetic even while washing up.
After getting ready, she casually went downstairs to the restaurant for a bite, then took the bus to the venue.
The girls were chattering away the whole ride. Freya, usually the center of attention, was unusually quiet today.
Evelyn assumed everyone had figured out that Freya wasn't the one Benjamin liked and was deliberately keeping their distance, so she didn't pay much attention.
But then Freya suddenly switched seats with the girl next to Evelyn.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow but didn't speak first.
"Ms. Thomas."
Freya's voice was soft and weak, and combined with her innocent-looking face, she seemed quite fragile.
Too bad Evelyn had no intention of showing pity. She didn't even bother glancing at her, just responded coolly.
"I know you don't like me, but Benjamin has already treated me this way. Can't you forgive my past stupidity?"
Forgiveness - isn't that something only the victim gets to decide?
Since when could the perpetrator shed a few tears and everything would be forgotten?
She laughed coldly and turned to look at Freya.
"We're both smart people, so speak plainly."
"Yesterday you were acting all high and mighty, and now you're playing the victim?"
"Is your memory that bad? You've already forgotten what happened yesterday?"
"Too bad I can't forget a single one of those disgusting things you did."
"So stop playing pitiful in front of me. All I feel is disgust, nothing else."
Evelyn's unhurried tone carried a matter-of-fact coldness.
But because of her striking looks, combined with Freya's innocent face, it easily gave people the impression that Evelyn was bullying Freya.
Naturally, Freya wouldn't stop others from thinking that way. Her eyes were already turning red.
"Do you really have to think of me this way?"
"If you keep this up, I won't even be interested in talking to you anymore." Evelyn turned to look out the window, too lazy to spare her another glance.
Acting in the car to make everyone in the dance troupe think she was heartless?
There wasn't anyone here she cared about, so why should she worry about her image?
Besides, for the sake of the person she did care about, she couldn't go easy on someone who had repeatedly tried to frame her.
Freya performed her one-woman show for a while, but seeing that Evelyn had no intention of engaging, she could only sit there looking pitiful until they got off the bus.
The Grand Theater.
After everyone changed into their dance costumes, they all went on stage to rehearse.
Evelyn danced to the beat, her face wearing just the right smile.
But before long, she sensed something was wrong. Her body felt strange, making her head feel heavy and foggy, unable to get into the performance.
She had to stop: "Sorry, I need to take a break."
When she stopped to drink some water, the discomfort would ease, and Evelyn would start rehearsing again.
But as soon as she started dancing, she felt something was off.
After several times like this, she tried to push through without stopping, until—
"Stop!"
Gregory suddenly called a halt. His expression didn't look good, but he still tried to maintain a kind demeanor when looking at Evelyn, which seemed rather odd.
"Ms. Thomas, the rehearsals were going so well before. What's wrong today? Are you not in the right state? Do you need to rest?"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone else chimed in.
"The official performance is tomorrow. Today's dress rehearsal is crucial. How can you mess up even basic moves?"
"Exactly. Rehearsal takes time, dancing takes energy. Who has time to waste like this?"
After wasting so much time, everyone's expressions became stiff, and their earlier enthusiasm had turned somewhat irritable.
Although they didn't dare openly criticize Evelyn, they could still make a few pointed remarks.
She'd always been proud, but she wouldn't be unreasonably stubborn when she was in the wrong.
"I'm sorry, I've affected everyone today..."
"What good is an apology?"
One girl snorted coldly: "You're a socialite with a rich fiancé. Whatever problems happen on stage won't affect you. We're different - we're counting on this performance for our bonuses."
When it came to their personal interests, quite a few people looked at Evelyn with resentment.
Instead, it was Freya who stepped forward to speak up for Evelyn.
"Ms. Thomas's abilities are there for everyone to see."
"Maybe she just arrived in Shadow City yesterday and hasn't adjusted yet."
"Why don't we all take a break and continue this afternoon?"
Evelyn was personally appointed by Benjamin as the Star Dance Troupe's principal dancer, so naturally, she couldn't miss today's performance.
Everyone had no choice but to agree.
But someone still spoke through gritted teeth: "Freya, no matter how much you speak up for her, she still won't think highly of you."
"She's a socialite - she's from a completely different world than us."
After making these sarcastic remarks, everyone dispersed.
Freya walked up to Evelyn: "They're just upset because things got delayed. Don't take it to heart."
Then she reached out to support Evelyn: "You look really pale. Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Should I take you to the hospital?"
Evelyn didn't believe Freya would be kind to her. Besides, she was fine - why would she suddenly feel unwell?
Thinking back to what happened on the bus earlier, she vaguely sensed the smell of a conspiracy.
Lowering her head slightly, Evelyn leaned on Freya, her voice somewhat weak: "Just help me back to the dressing room first."
"Okay, be careful." Freya helped Evelyn back to the dressing room, still wearing a concerned expression. "You look really bad. I should call Benjamin, shouldn't I?"
Evelyn sat on the sofa, her cheeks flushed, the uncomfortable feeling becoming even more obvious.
She already knew exactly what was happening.
"Call him... I need to see Benjamin..." Her voice was as soft as her body, her eyes clouded with confusion.
"Don't worry, I'll call him right away."
As she spoke, a sinister smile appeared on Freya's face: "I'll make sure he spends a pleasant time with you. Afterward, remember to thank me for giving you such a wonderful experience."