Chapter 97
“If it wasn’t on purpose, why did you run off without apologizing?” Joseph jumped down from the stage.
Joseph was someone Ella couldn’t afford to mess with. She pressed her lips together. Tm scared,”
Joseph let out a mocking laugh, glancing lazily at Esther. “Didn’t your dear cousin Esther ever tell you that Bonnie is under my protection!”
These words struck a nerve with Esther. Her face went pale. Ella was stunned for a moment before reacting, and then she looked closely at Esther. “You’ve met Mr. Joseph Chapin before!”
“Ella, listen–Esther stared.
Ella slapped Esther before Esther could finish making excuses.
She hit hard, leaving a clear handprint on Esther’s pale face, Esther covered her check in disbelief. “Ella, you hit me?”
Ella’s hands were shaking, overwhelmed with anger, as she glared at Esther. “You said those things yesterday on purpose, didn’t you?”
Esther held her swollen face, hatred flashing in her eyes while tears filled them. She shook her head fearfully. “Ella, you’re the one who’s jealous of Bonnie. You’re afraid Ms. Harris will make her a disciple and pass on her skills.
“You’re the one who wanted to ruin her leg, so why blame me?” she argued.
Ella’s eyes widened in disbelief at Esther’s words. She stared as if seeing her for the first time. Ella had been on the international stage with Victoria, met many people, and wasn’t naive or impulsive
She dared to act today because she thought Esther relied on her apprenticeship and didn’t have the courage or ability to plot against her.
Reality hit her hard. Even though she knew the man was Joseph, Esther told her that Lenore had been fooling around with him to get in. “Esther.” Ella groveled with gritted teeth, itching to slap her again. You were waiting here for me, weren’t you?” she accused.
Esther still looked innocent. “Ella, I didn’t say anything, it was all you,” she insisted.
If you’re gonna fight, take it elsewhere. We don’t have time to watch you cousins tear each other apart,” Joseph interjected impatiently and then asked Lenore. How should we handle this?
Lenore remained expressionless. “Lock them up until Emily wakes up
Joseph glanced back. “Mark!”
The presence of this group was overwhelming, so when Mark arrived, he didn’t dare to move while trying to understand the situation. When called out, he quickly moved to arrest Ella.
Ella genuinely panicked now, holding onto Victoria tightly. “Ms. Harris! I made a mistake, please help me!”
At this stage, there was nothing more to say; the truth was almost completely clear. Disappointment flashed in Victoria’s eyes as she slumped into a chair, her back hunched. “I can’t help you”
“Ms. Harris?” Ella pleaded, “I know I was wrong. I won’t dare to do it again. You’re with the International Dance Association, surely you can help me. I really know my mistake.”
Having not taken any other students, and with her only student ending up like this Victoria closed her eyes, appearing to age ten years in an instant “From today on, you are no longer my student,”
“Ms. Harris!!” Ella’s face turned pale as she knelt on the ground and crawled over to
over to cling to Victoria’s leg, pleading desperately. “Ms. Harris, I was set up, which pushed me to act recklessly. I’ve been with you for so many years…
“Ella.” Victoria pressed down on her shoulders, speaking slowly. “I really can’t save you” She looked over at Lenore. “Do you know who she is?”
Ella bit her lip hard. “My cousin, Lenore..”
Victoria shook her head and said softly, “Do you remember the story I told you
story I told you before! Ella pau
paused, confused.
Victoria had a lingering regret. Four or five years ago, she went to a city to perform and saw a girl dancing. She introduced herself and wanted the girl to be her apprentice, but the girl refused without hesitation.
At that time, Ella said the girl didn’t recognize talent. But Victoria just shook her head, looking complicated, and refused to say more.
Ella’s eyes widened in surprise. “That person… was Lenore?”
