Chapter 61
"Mr. Wood, don't worry. I'll handle this properly." Samuel quickly assured him.
Asher clicked his tongue. "Then deal with it fast. Don't waste my time."
Samuel nodded repeatedly, then turned to me angrily.
"Lucinda, when every dance company in Silverlight City rejected you, I took you in. I saw your talent and self-awareness."
"But I never imagined that in just a few short years, you'd become so selfish. You knew how important last night's charity event was to the company, yet you left without a word."
"I always thought you understood the bigger picture, so even when you were a bit willful, I tolerated it. But this time, you've disappointed me deeply!"
"Since your heart isn't with the company, the company won't keep you. Let's part on good terms."
My entire body went cold. "Mr. Flores, the International Ballet Competition finals are next week. If you make me leave the company now, how can I compete?"
"Besides, everything I said is true. I really was kidnapped last night. If you don't believe me, I can have Leopold Percy vouch for me!"
"Mr. Percy?" Samuel's expression shifted as he glanced at Asher.
Asher's face also froze for a moment before he looked at me mockingly.
"Lucinda, who do you think you are? You don't have the right to invoke Mr. Percy's name!"
"You're just counting on us not daring to bother Mr. Percy, so you can spout whatever nonsense you want here!"
"That trick won't work on us. We're not falling for it!"
I laughed coldly. "Fine. If you won't contact him, I will."
Just as I pulled out my phone, Sophia burst through the door.
"Mr. Flores, I heard you're firing Lucinda. Isn't there some misunderstanding?"
She conveniently knocked my phone out of my hand and stomped on it hard, instantly shattering the screen.
I shoved her aside immediately, demanding furiously, "Sophia, you did that on purpose!"
Sophia gasped in shock, covering her mouth as she quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Cindy. I didn't see it. I'll buy you a new phone."
"No need." I tested it—I could still make calls. I pulled up Leopold's number again.
"Cindy, don't be angry. I really didn't mean to."
Sophia approached again, and in the ensuing scuffle, sent my phone flying directly into the nearby fish tank.
"My fish!"
Samuel jumped up in alarm, rushing to the tank.
I was about to explode.
But Sophia looked completely innocent. "Cindy, how could you be so careless? You threw your phone into the fish tank. These are all expensive ornamental fish that the director bought. What are we going to do now?"
I was absolutely speechless. "If you hadn't grabbed for my phone repeatedly, would it have ended up in the tank?"
Sophia immediately looked hurt. "Cindy, how can you blame me? You were clearly the one..."
She stopped mid-sentence, then deliberately adopted a magnanimous expression. "Fine, if you say it was me, then it was me. Mr. Flores, I apologize. I'll have someone buy you identical fish right away."
Samuel was furious. "Lucinda, stop putting on an act! Letting you leave with dignity is me being generous. Don't be ungrateful!"
They'd clearly seen what just happened, yet still sided with Sophia.
I suddenly found the whole thing pointless.
"Fine. Whatever."
"Lucinda, this doesn't have to be the end."
Asher suddenly spoke up, his eyes roving over my body in a way that made my skin crawl.
"Even though what you did last night was inappropriate, as long as you admit your mistake properly and sincerely apologize to me..."
"Maybe I could help you out."
I knew exactly what he meant. I refused directly.
"Not interested."
Asher's expression stiffened. "Lucinda, you'd better think carefully."
"The International Ballet Competition starts next week, and they don't accept individual entries. If you leave the company now, your only option is to withdraw."
"Even if you currently have buzz and talent, with just one word from me, no dance company in Silverlight City will give you a place."
"Think it over carefully. Don't regret this."
Looking at his smug expression made my blood boil.
"No need to think. I won't regret it."
Asher's face turned livid. "Lucinda, walk out that door, and you'll never get another chance. Your reputation will be destroyed. Are you sure you won't apologize to me?"
I gripped the door handle, my chest tight.
"We're not the same kind of people."
I turned the lock and walked out without hesitation.
Back in the changing room, I ripped off the seal, opened my locker, and removed my personal belongings.
Just as I finished packing, the changing room filled with people.
Most looked somewhat reluctant to see me go.
A few, like Jessie, wore gleeful smirks.
"Lucinda, are you really leaving?" someone asked.
I nodded. "Thank you all for your support over the years. Maybe we'll work together again someday."
Jessie burst out laughing. "Lucinda, you sure know how to talk big!"
"The International Ballet Competition is next week, and Mr. Wood already said he won't let you have any foothold in Silverlight City."
"How can you have the nerve to talk about working together again? Aren't you embarrassed?"
I picked up my bag and walked toward her.
Jessie's smile vanished as she stared at me warily.
"What... what are you going to do?"
"If you're going to be a coward, stop doing other people's dirty work."
I glanced at Sophia standing by the door. "Now that we're not in the same company, if I hit you next time, I won't hold back!"
Jessie's face paled as she quickly stepped aside.
Sophia's eyes blazed with anger.
But she restrained herself, even giving me a gentle smile.
"Cindy, even though you're leaving the company, we've worked together for so many years. There's still some friendship between us."
"If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to contact me."
I laughed coldly. "You and I have no friendship."
"Lucinda, don't be so ungrateful!"
Jessie jumped out again.
"Sophia already spoke with the Royal Ballet Company representatives last night. They were very impressed with her and said that after she has her private interview with the Royal Ballet's Vice Director, she can officially join. Sophia will be ballet's next rising star."
"She's willing to help you out of consideration for past ties—that's an honor. How dare you refuse?"
My heart sank. Had Sophia already secured an interview with the Royal Ballet?
Then what about me?
"How did you pass?"
Ethan had said Sophia couldn't possibly pass the screening.
Why was this different from what he predicted?
Sophia couldn't hide her pride. "Through talent, of course."
"Although my leg injury prevents me from competing in this International Ballet Competition, they watched videos of my previous performances and agreed to give me an interview to showcase my abilities."
"Of course, Leo helped too. Without his strong support, I wouldn't have been so confident."
I couldn't hear another word after that.
I'd always thought that even though Leopold's and my relationship was terrible, we'd tacitly agreed not to sabotage each other's careers.
So I'd always believed he would respect my right to pursue my dreams.
I never imagined he would personally destroy them.