Chapter 144 Use Connections
Bianca knew exactly what had happened. Blair had spent the past few days poisoning everyone against her.
She pressed her lips together and walked into the training room. She kept her composure even as hostile eyes followed her every step.
"Bianca, you're finally here." Blair's face lit up with a bright smile as she moved toward her.
She reached for Bianca's hand, but Bianca pulled away. Blair's smile faltered, replaced by a wounded look.
"Bianca, you've missed so many sessions. You must be way behind. Let me help you catch up."
"No need." Bianca's voice was cold.
A sharp voice cut through the room.
"No need? Blair's trying to help you, and you can't even say thank you? If you don't catch up, you'll drag us all down. You'll embarrass the whole school."
Bianca turned toward the speaker.
She had never seen this girl before, but the hostility radiating from her was unmistakable.
"My progress isn't your concern. And I won't drag anyone down." Her tone remained steady as she met the girl's eyes without flinching.
The girl seemed to shrink under Bianca's gaze. She looked away but muttered under her breath, "Got in through connections, and she still acts like she's better than us."
The words weren't loud, but in the silent training room they rang clear.
Bianca raised an eyebrow. "Instead of spreading rumors about connections, maybe work on your basics. Your fundamentals are weak."
The girl's face flushed red. She had no comeback.
Because Bianca was right—she had joined the reception team late, and her foundation was shaky compared to those who had trained since childhood.
"You think you're so much better? You don't know anything, and you're criticizing us?" Another voice spoke up.
Bianca turned. A different girl had stepped forward, blocking the first one. Her eyes were full of hostility.
And she wasn't alone. The others were staring at Bianca the same way.
Bianca knew this wouldn't end unless she dealt with it now. If she didn't, they'd make her life hell during training.
She stopped wasting words. She pulled out her phone and held the screen in front of the girl's face.
"Look closely. What is this?"
The girl's eyes moved slowly to the screen.
When she saw what was displayed, her pupils contracted. Her eyes widened. She stared at Bianca in disbelief.
"You... you actually won this?"
Her words hit like a bombshell. A few people craned their necks to see. When they caught sight of the screen, their expressions mirrored her shock.
"World Public Presentation and Protocol Gold Award? No way!"
The announcement rippled through the crowd. The way they looked at Bianca shifted—the contempt faded, replaced by scrutiny.
"Worry about yourselves, not me."
With a satisfied glance, Bianca slipped her phone back into her pocket and walked to the back of the formation, leaving their stares behind.
The murmurs in the training room gradually died down. The people Blair and Melissa had influenced looked less hostile now, a trace of shame creeping into their eyes.
Blair's jaw clenched. Anger simmered beneath her calm exterior. But she forced herself to stay composed.
Damn it. How did she not know Bianca had won a gold award? It had to be fake.
Throughout the entire training session, Blair was distracted. When the crowd dispersed, only she and Melissa remained in the spacious room.
"This is your fault. What kind of stupid plan was that?" Blair snapped.
Melissa looked helpless, lips pressed together, eyes flickering.
"I have another idea. We can undermine her credibility. Make her drop out herself. Then we just say she got scared. Everyone will believe us."
"Bianca has a gold award now. You think they'll still believe us?" Blair looked up at Melissa, doubt in her eyes.
"You've known Bianca for years. Does she really have a gold award? Don't you know the answer?" Melissa shot back.
Blair lowered her head, thinking.
The Bianca she remembered had always been invisible. Later, she'd spent every day trailing after Samuel, neglecting her studies. When would she have had time to compete in etiquette competitions?
And with that timid, submissive personality? Even if she'd competed, she wouldn't have won.
The gold award had to be fake.
"You're right. I should've called her out on it. That award is definitely fake!" Blair stood abruptly. "So what's your plan?"
"I'll spread the word that I'm attending the anniversary gala as Terrence's dance partner."
Blair pressed her lips together. "After the Photoshopped photo got exposed, will anyone believe you? Aren't you afraid Bianca will tell Terrence?"
A confident smile tugged at Melissa's lips.
"If Terrence hasn't made his relationship with Bianca public by now, it means she doesn't matter much to him.
"Besides, with Bianca's personality, if Terrence really doted on her, wouldn't she be showing off? Obviously, Terrence doesn't want her to go public. If she says anything, he'll blame her. So she won't dare touch this."
Blair thought there was some logic to that. But she'd seen Terrence defend Bianca with her own eyes. He didn't seem indifferent.
She was about to speak when Melissa added, "I already put out word that I'd invite Terrence to the anniversary. If Bianca really had the guts, why hasn't Terrence heard about my announcement by now?"
Blair's doubts vanished completely.
"I'll help you spread this. With me backing it, it'll be more believable. But if anyone asks about the photo, you explain it yourself. We can't mess up again."
Blair narrowed her eyes, a sharp, determined glint flashing in them.
"Bianca, is training hard?" Jasmine handed her an already-opened bottle of water.
Bianca stopped walking. When she looked at Jasmine, her expression softened.
"It's fine."
"Has Blair been giving you trouble? I really didn't think she'd become team leader." A flicker of displeasure crossed Jasmine's eyes.
Bianca pressed her lips together, her grip tightening around the water bottle. "She's the same as always—using her position to dump all the grunt work on me."
Jasmine's eyes widened.
"That's too much! No, Bianca, we have to tell the instructor. Let them know what she's doing! She's abusing her authority to target you. Someone like that doesn't deserve to be team leader!"