Chapter 229
I noticed Sophia and Olivia's glares but deliberately didn't respond.
"Thank you, Lucinda."
The fourth contestant quietly thanked me before beginning her thirty-second showcase.
Nineteen minutes passed quickly.
These thirty-second individual displays consumed more energy than the entire piece combined.
Many contestants were gasping for breath.
As the third round began, pressure multiplied, and mistakes increased.
The lights went out one after another.
By the time the fourth round's music started, only a third of the contestants remained on stage.
The high-pressure environment combined with intense physical exertion was getting to me, too. I breathed lightly while wiping sweat from my brow.
I counted—twenty-five people left.
This should be the final round.
I adjusted my breathing while glancing sideways at Sophia and Olivia.
They were also panting heavily, clearly unable to last much longer either.
I couldn't lose to them.
Seeing me still standing, their expressions darkened further.
As the three of us faced off, an invisible field of tension formed.
"I can't... I'm out of energy."
Someone collapsed, unable to continue.
Another person slipped on their own sweat and fell.
Failure spread like toppling dominoes, infecting one contestant after another.
The music had barely passed the halfway point when it cut off abruptly.
On stage, exactly twenty people remained.
All the surrounding lights came on.
The stage became spacious and bright again.
"Congratulations to our twenty finalists. You've successfully advanced to the finals. Now, please welcome our judges' representative to select tonight's best performer."
After the host's announcement, everyone looked toward the first row.
The elegant woman seated in the center rose with a smile.
I recognized her—the president of Silverlight City's Dance Association and the organizer of the Valeria International Ballet Competition.
But she didn't take the stage. Instead, she picked up the microphone.
"I was originally supposed to announce tonight's best performer, but I've discovered someone in the audience far more qualified than I am. So I'd like to pass this honor to him."
Hearing there was someone even more accomplished present, everyone instinctively looked around.
The crowd stirred with anticipation.
"He is..." The president looked back, raising her hand gently. "The globally renowned principal dancer, vice director of the Royal Ballet Company, and Silverlight City's own pride—Ethan Guise."
I froze. It was him.
"What? Mr. Guise is the vice director of the Royal Ballet Company?" Olivia looked utterly incredulous, turning to Sophia for confirmation. "Sophia, is this true?"
I couldn't help remembering when Sophia had pulled strings trying to replace me.
Back then, she'd absolutely refused to believe Ethan was the Royal Ballet's vice director, only to be proven spectacularly wrong.
I glanced at Sophia just as our eyes met. Her expression was filled with resentful fury.
Clearly, she remembered too.
"It's true."
Olivia frowned. "Isn't Lucinda close with him? Then why would the Royal Ballet reject her?"
Sophia's expression turned ugly.
I spoke up at the right moment. "Because she lied."
Olivia whipped her head toward me, her lips curving into a mocking smile. "You really never learn. This kind of thing can't be hidden. Sophia has no reason to slander you. Besides, Mr. Guise is impartial and professional—he wouldn't let personal connections compromise the company's reputation. Stop with the petty schemes before you drag Mr. Guise's name through the mud!"
Hearing this, I turned to look at Sophia, whose eyes darted away. "Sophia, did you hear Olivia? This kind of thing can't be hidden. Apologize now, and I might consider not holding you accountable."
Sophia's face tightened. She bit out defensively, "I told the truth. I'm not afraid of your threats."
I laughed coldly. "You're the one who never learns."
The audience suddenly grew excited.
I turned to see Ethan emerging from the shadows, step by step, walking into the spotlight.
"That's the legendary Mr. Guise! I never thought I'd see someone so accomplished in my lifetime."
"I couldn't get tickets to the last international ballet competition and thought I'd missed my chance to see him. I can't believe I'm seeing him here!"
"Me too. I've been a fan of Mr. Guise for years, saving up for his performances."
From the moment Ethan appeared, his gaze had been locked on me.
Such focused attention made me uncomfortable all over.
"Ethan, thank you for this." The president handed him a mysterious envelope.
Only then did Ethan look away, saying warmly, "You're too kind. It's my honor."
He ascended the steps, walking toward us.
Olivia and Sophia both grew nervous as he approached.
I'd made a minor mistake in the second round. The best performer probably wasn't me.
I consciously stepped back half a pace.
"Olivia, congratulations." Ethan stopped in front of Olivia, extending the mysterious envelope.
Olivia looked shocked at first, then accepted it with visible excitement and gratitude.
"Thank you, Mr. Guise, and all the judges, for recognizing and encouraging me. I'll work even harder going forward." She held up the envelope while bowing to the judges in the first row.
After this, she suppressed her excitement and asked Ethan, "Mr. Guise, may I take a photo with you?"
"Of course, but please wait just a moment." Ethan produced another envelope.
Seeing there was a second one, the contestants who'd already given up hope perked up again, each hoping it was for them.
I was somewhat surprised. There were two best performers tonight.
Sophia was the most excited, her eyes practically glued to the envelope.
Seeing this, Olivia asked proactively, "Mr. Guise, who is the second best performer for?"
Ethan smiled softly, his gaze sweeping around before landing on me.
Sophia and the others' eyes followed, all stopping on me.
Before I could react, Ethan had stopped in front of me.
His gaze was warm and gentle. "Cindy, congratulations. You're one of only two best performers tonight."
I could barely believe it. I'd clearly made a mistake earlier—how could I still win best performer?
"Your ten-second showcase was exceptional. Especially those three precise battements—both the explosive power and control were stunning. You're an undisputed best performer." Ethan's explanation made everyone recall my ten-second display.
No one questioned my ability.
Applause like a tidal wave filled the hall once more.
I thanked him and accepted the envelope, casually glancing at Sophia. Seeing her face red with anger but not daring to cause trouble, I finally relaxed.
At the reporters' request, Olivia and I posed for photos with Ethan.
After the shoot, reporters curiously asked about my relationship with Ethan.
Ethan smiled slightly, his manner elegant. "Cindy and I have known each other for years. We're each other's most trusted person. Her talent in dance is no less than mine. I've always believed we'd meet at the summit."
His words were true, but somehow carried an ambiguous undertone.
I was about to add clarification when a reporter asked bluntly, "Mr. Guise, are you confessing your feelings to Lucinda?"
A surge of offended anger rose in my chest.
"Who dares confess to my fiancée?"
A cold, commanding male voice came from behind.