Chapter 53
The entire conference room erupted.
"What? That rumor was actually true!"
"That's the top-ranked Royal Ballet in the world! Sophia, you're amazing—you actually got an interview with them!"
"Seriously, so many ballet dancers spend their entire careers trying to get that opportunity. You're incredible, like, literally our idol!"
I stood outside the door, listening to everyone heap praise on Sophia, my brow furrowing. Sophia and Asher's scheme had failed—so how had she still managed to get an interview? Had those two made some other arrangement? Or had Sophia gotten it through Leopold?
I walked in slowly.
"Cindy, you're here."
Sophia spotted me and greeted me warmly. "Your semifinal performance was beautiful. Those difficult moves—even I couldn't pull them all off in one go. You're really talented."
The others threw in a few compliments my way, too, but quickly steered the conversation back to the Royal Ballet.
Suddenly, someone directed a question at me. "Lucinda, with your skill level, didn't you receive an interview invitation from the Royal Ballet?"
The room gradually fell quiet.
I glanced over. The question had come from another of Sophia's followers, Jessie Ward. Unlike the impulsive Lillian, Jessie had a round, cherubic face that made her look innocent and harmless. So when she asked that question, everyone would assume she was genuinely curious, not deliberately stirring the pot.
Seeing I had no answer, a flash of triumph crossed Sophia's face. After a few seconds, she reached out to tug at Jessie's arm. "Jessie, saying that will embarrass Cindy."
Jessie acted like she'd just realized her mistake, apologizing to me carefully. "Lucinda, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."
Sophia smiled gently. "It's fine. Cindy's very gracious—she won't hold it against you." Then she looked at me with a smile. "Right, Cindy?"
I suddenly realized Sophia was really good at this kind of manipulation. First, she'd built me up, then Jessie had jumped in to knock me down and embarrass me publicly. When I didn't take the bait, Sophia positioned herself as my "spokesperson," lecturing Jessie while Jessie apologized meekly.
On the surface, everything seemed resolved. But in reality, without saying a word, I'd been subtly cast by everyone as petty and vindictive, while Sophia—who'd been orchestrating the whole thing—came off looking gracious and tactful.
I offered an honest suggestion. "You two should really become actresses."
Sophia's smile froze. She looked at me with hurt in her eyes. "Cindy, why would you say that? Jessie misspoke just now, and I spoke up because I didn't want you to feel awkward. How is that acting? I feel really hurt that you'd say that."
Jessie looked flustered, too. "Lucinda, don't blame Sophia. This is all my fault. If you're mad, take it out on me..."
Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, the others looked uncomfortable. Someone tried to smooth things over. "Lucinda, Jessie really didn't mean any harm. That's just how she is—kind of naive, speaks without thinking. Don't be mad at her."
I stated the facts plainly. "I'm not angry. I was just offering my honest opinion. After all, I hadn't said anything at all—they were the ones going back and forth with each other, weren't they?"
The person who'd tried to defend them seemed to realize something, turning to look at Sophia and Jessie. "Oh, right. Lucinda hadn't said anything, and Jessie was already apologizing."
The others nodded in agreement.
Jessie's expression changed slightly, and she looked anxiously at Sophia.
Sophia shot her a furious glance and opened her mouth to salvage the situation, but just then, the director, Samuel, arrived.
"I've gathered everyone today to make an announcement. Yesterday, I received an invitation to a charity event on behalf of an international relief organization—they want us to help raise funds. This event is getting major attention both domestically and internationally, and many industry heavyweights will be attending."
"Since our company was invited, we need to bring our absolute best. This is our chance to make a name for ourselves and get everyone to remember us!"
This bombshell instantly dispelled the awkward atmosphere. Everyone's attention shifted to the charity event.
"Mr. Flores, I saw on the news that representatives from several top ballet companies are in Silverlight City right now. Will they be attending too?"
"Can all of us go to the charity event?"
"If we can all attend, that would be amazing! Those representatives from top companies must be incredible. Getting to talk to them would be such an honor!"
"Not just that. Representatives from elite companies are rare to meet, sure, but Silverlight City's young elites are even rarer. With good luck, you might even get to dance with one of them."
Seeing everyone getting more and more excited, Samuel quickly spoke up. "Everyone, quiet down."
The conference room reluctantly settled.
"The charity event has limited capacity—we were only given five spots. Besides Lucinda and Lillian, who made it through the semifinals and will definitely attend, only three others can go. I'll discuss those three with the senior staff and announce them later."
The excitement that had filled the room moments ago deflated dramatically.
"Three people? That's so few. I definitely won't be chosen."
"Three... if I push hard, I might have a shot."
"But there's still Sophia! Really, only two spots are left."
"Two?! Then I... Ugh, it's such a shame. We finally get this opportunity, and I won't be able to participate."
I looked at Sophia, seeing her face full of eagerness, before speaking up leisurely. "Sophia, has your leg injury healed? If it hasn't, then there'd be three spots left."
She liked using moral blackmail on me, didn't she? Perfect—let her get a taste of her own medicine.
Hope sparked in everyone else's eyes as they turned to look at Sophia in unison.
But what I hadn't expected was that Jessie would be the first to lose her composure.
"Sophia, you were just saying your leg hurt, and you asked me to get you a cushion. We're so close—could you give me your spot?"
Sophia saw right through my intentions and glared at me viciously before turning to Jessie with her trademark shocked expression and pulling out her usual tactic.
"Jessie, I never said my leg hurt. You gave me that cushion on your own. Are you trying to force me to give up this opportunity?"
Seeing them turn on each other, I settled back to enjoy the show. Sophia playing the victim now probably wasn't going to work.
"Sophia, your boyfriend can get you invited as a special guest to international ballet competitions, so he can definitely get you into this charity event too. Why don't you let someone else have the spot? We're not as talented as you, so this might be our only chance in life to meet these top-tier people. Could you just be generous this once and help us out?"
"Yeah, you're so kind and beautiful—you must understand how we feel. So, thanks in advance!"
With things phrased that way, no matter how reluctant Sophia was, she had no choice but to agree.
After the meeting ended, I deliberately waited until everyone had left before calling out to Lillian, who was emerging from a corner.