Chapter 227
"Why would they suddenly change the rules?"
The Valeria International Ballet Competition was a globally prestigious event. Normally, they wouldn't alter rules on the spot.
Amelia leaned close to my ear. "From what I heard, someone apparently bribed the judges. The matter got reported to headquarters, so they hastily organized a meeting and drafted new competition rules."
I couldn't help pressing further. "Who bribed the judges?"
Amelia didn't speak, but typed a name on her phone to show me.
Olivia.
I frowned. Olivia?
Olivia's abilities were quite good. If she'd devoted herself to practice during this time, she definitely could have achieved strong results in this competition.
How could she be foolish enough to go down this path?
Amelia saw my confusion and explained, "Though I'm not entirely clear on the details, it's most likely related to the Wood family marriage alliance."
I was somewhat surprised. "You mean Olivia and Brady?"
In my memory, these two had never appeared together.
How had they ended up in an arranged marriage?
"Their situation is complicated—I can't explain it all right now. I'll tell you later." Amelia said, then reassured me, "Though the competition format suddenly changed, don't feel pressured. Even though I've chosen you as the company's principal dancer, your health comes first. Everything else is less important."
Warmth flooded my heart. How could it not be important?
Crescent Ballet Company was Amelia's painstaking effort over many years. Now it also had to become her and Harper's support.
This year, Crescent Ballet Company had finally gained momentum. This was the perfect opportunity.
I didn't want to disappoint her hopes. "Alright, don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing."
Moments later, the staff came to notify me to wait by the stage.
Over five hundred people from Silverlight City had registered this time, but only eighty-five had actually made it through the semifinals.
With the sudden format change requiring all eighty-five contestants to perform on stage together, everyone felt extremely anxious.
When I arrived, many people were already huddled together discussing the rule change.
"Why did they suddenly change the format? And it's the Dance of the Little Swans, which I've feared most since childhood. It's literally been my nightmare."
"Me too. The moves don't look difficult, but having eighty-five people dance together is hell-level difficulty. I feel like I'll be eliminated the moment I step on stage."
"I'm so nervous. My muscles are already tightening up. I can't imagine what it'll be like on stage."
Some were afraid, naturally, while others remained composed.
I'd just taken my position when someone roughly bumped my shoulder from behind.
"I wondered who was standing in the middle of the path with no awareness. Turns out it's Lucinda."
Sophia looked at me, her lips immediately curving into a mocking arc.
Olivia, who was with her, gave me a contemptuous once-over.
"Lucinda, so you didn't get into the Royal Ballet Company, and now you're here competing with us for this championship?"
"What? She didn't get into the Royal Ballet Company?"
Others were shocked, all turning to look at me, as if trying to read the answer on my face.
I calmly accepted everyone's scrutiny and confirmed Olivia's words. "That's right. I didn't get into the Royal Ballet Company. Is there a problem?"
Olivia laughed coldly. "Lucinda, you're really hypocritical. You were clearly rejected because of your leg injury, yet now you're acting like you rejected them."
"Olivia, don't say that. Lucinda must feel terrible, too." Sophia began her passive-aggressive routine. "But Lucinda, your leg injury hasn't healed yet. Is it really okay for you to compete now? If you get injured again, won't the competition face public pressure?"
Her words seemed considerate on the surface, but were actually suggesting something to the others.
If I lost, the netizens who'd supported me might cause trouble for the competition organizers.
Sure enough, hearing this, others looked at me with wariness and dissatisfaction.
"Sophia's right. Competition isn't child's play. Her competing with an injury puts all the pressure on us. Even if we win, people will say it wasn't a fair victory."
"We've worked hard for years waiting for this opportunity. Why should we bear this kind of abnormal pressure?"
"She's already won a championship once. Why isn't she satisfied? Do we have to be her stepping stones forever?"
Seeing public opinion turn completely against me, I didn't lose my composure.
I simply said calmly, "The Valeria International Ballet Competition rules don't say I can't participate. I'm simply exercising my normal rights. If my participation makes you feel extra pressure, that means you lack the ability to begin with and should prepare to accept failure."
"You're too arrogant, saying that about us!" Someone objected.
I looked at that person and countered, "Am I wrong?"
"This is a competitive event. Even without me, there would be other excellent competitors. Instead of adjusting your mindset, you blame others for being too good and shouldn't compete. Is that the right attitude?"
That person was left speechless by my question.
"Lucinda, don't twist the concept. We would never deny our opponents' excellence. We're just dissatisfied with your approach." Olivia spoke up again. "You clearly received an invitation from a top-tier company, but you didn't cherish it. Instead, you're here competing for a second championship title. Your behavior not only destroys the competition's fairness but also tramples on everyone's efforts."
I looked at Olivia, my gaze calm and steady. "Who really destroyed the competition's fairness and trampled on everyone's efforts—you should know in your heart. After all, the rule change wasn't caused by me."
Olivia's expression instantly froze, her eyes like a poisoned blade stabbing viciously toward me.
Hearing my words, others immediately shifted their attention, whispering amongst themselves while scrutinizing Olivia.
Olivia took two steps toward me but was held back by Sophia.
"Olivia, don't bother with her. Let's go wait by the side."
She half-dragged, half-pulled Olivia away.
Others crowded around me, wanting to find out the reason for the rule change.
I casually deflected with a couple of sentences and said no more.
Unable to get the information they wanted, the others gradually dispersed.
The competition officially began.
Everyone went on stage together, walking into eighty-five spotlights following the host's instructions.
"...'Dance of the Little Swans' is a widely known ballet piece. We believe all contestants will perform at their best. When the music begins, the large screen will randomly switch between all contestants' performances."
"At the same time, the judges in the first row will closely observe every contestant's movements. Once someone makes a mistake or performs a move incorrectly, they'll be immediately eliminated, and the light above their head will go out."
"This round will continue until only twenty contestants remain on stage, at which point it will conclude."
The contestants around me were all relaxing their muscles, striving to last until the end.
This competition was more difficult than I'd anticipated.
I wasn't sure if I could make it to the end. I could only give it my all.
Soon, "Dance of the Little Swans" began flowing through the hall.