Chapter 338
The dance teacher, Darcie Roman, had spoken to Elara a few days earlier. Elara had gotten her number from Bridget and called to discuss Merida’s situation..
She had explicitly asked Darcie not to body–shame the children, but the response over the phone had been dismissive and perfunctory.
Afterward, Elara reached out to Tilly, who was assisting with the dance performance. Hearing Tilly praise Merida’s performance had eased half of Elara’s worries.
But now, Merida hung her head upon hearing Darcie’s words, knowing she was at fault. Her chubby fingers clutched at Elara’s clothes. Elara glanced at her daughter and felt her heart aching for her.
“Ms. Roman, this stage accident happened because the floorboards are old and cracked. This stage has been in use for over 20 years. Look at these holes in the wood–it’s clear the boards are infested with termites.
“The priority now is to repair the stage floor to prevent similar accidents from happening again.”
Before Elara could finish, Darcie interrupted, “As Merida’s mother, you’re biased and can’t see how out of place she is in the group. Merida isn’t suited for ballet. She’s too heavy and clumsy.
“I’ve already told Mrs. Moore that Merida shouldn’t be doing fouettés. What’s the difference between her and a spinning top?”
Darcie then crossed her arms and blew a strand of hair out of her face in frustration.
Merida couldn’t hold back anymore. “I know Ms. Roman doesn’t like me.”
Darcie forced a sweet smile, her voice dripping with false gentleness. “Merida, how could I not like you! It’s just that you’re not naturally suited for ballet.
“Your body type isn’t ideal, and that’s something you should ask your mom about. Why hasn’t she helped you lose weight?
“I’m just thinking about the bigger picture. I don’t want you to drag down the performance for the other children.” Tilly stepped forward. “I think Merida is the highlight of this dance. With her, class 1B might even secure a–top- three spot in the talent show.”
Darcie’s eyes flickered with a disdainful sneer. “Mrs. Moore, you may have been the star of the Capitol Ballet Troupe, but this is your first time assisting with class 1B’s rehearsal.
“I’ve been at this school for three years, and every class I’ve coached has won first place in the talent show. So, when it comes to guiding children through rehearsals, I have more experience than you!”
Darcie glanced at Rosalie, who was standing below the stage. It was precisely because her classes had won first place for the past three years that Rosalie had offered her significant benefits this time.
In return, Darcie had made Paisley the lead dancer.
A few days ago, when Rosalie noticed Tilly adding more dance moves for Merida, she grew worried that Merida might steal Paisley’s spotlight. Their eyes met, and Rosalie gave Darcie a meaningful look
Darcie understood Rosalie’s message: Merida had to be removed from the performance. As long as Merida was put, no other child could overshadow Paisley.
Darcie crouched down, her voice soft and sweet as she spoke to Merida. “First, you damaged the costume, then you lost the hair accessory, and now you’ve broken the stage floor.
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Chapter 331
“Merida, if something goes wrong during the performance, the entire class 1B will suffer because of you! The other students have worked so hard during rehearsals, and Paisley even threw up several times because of it.
“If you step down, class 1B can confidently take first place at the talent show. If you don’t, I won’t force you, but not just me -the whole class, and even the other parents, will be on edge because of you!”
As she spoke, Darcie clasped her hands over her chest with her brows furrowed and her lower lip bitten. She looked at Merida with pitiful eyes, as if she might burst into tears if Merida refused to quit.
Back at Price Nation’s headquarters, Priscilla headed straight to the development department to hear the R&D team’s report.
“Is there really no way to fix the framework Elara wrote?” she asked.
The team leader wiped his bald head with a handkerchief and said, “We haven’t even sorted out the data yet. We don’t know where to start.”
Priscilla turned to the experts from Ohm Technologies, and one of them spoke up, “To modify this new framework, we’ll need at least six months.”
“Six months!” Priscilla’s voice rose sharply.
The expert explained, “We’ll need three months just to understand the model’s logic and core parameters.” Priscilla took a deep breath. “I can’t wait three weeks, let alone three months!”
The R&D team leader knew exactly why Priscilla was so anxious. They had to deliver a progress report to the Department of Energy next month.
This project was government–backed, and if they botched the initial report, the losses for Price Nation would be incalculable.
The team leader hesitantly suggested, “Maybe… I could talk to Elara?”
Elara’s words echoed in Priscilla’s mind once again. “Ms. Price, if you insist on burning bridges like this, then pray you won’t come crawling back to me for collaboration later.”
Priscilla clenched her jaw so hard it felt like her molars might shatter.
She pulled out her phone and admitted, “I underestimated her abilities.”
She was about to call Elara but then remembered she had deleted Elara’s number the day she kicked her out.
Priscilla frowned, feeling as though she was rummaging through the trash for something she had thrown away. She turned to her assistant, Kira Melendez. “What’s Elara’s phone number?”
Kira provided the number, and Priscilla dialed it on her phone.
Meanwhile, Elara’s phone buzzed in the school auditorium. She glanced at the screen and saw “Priscilla Price” displayed on the caller ID.
She declined the call without hesitation. She had no interes in dealing with Priscilla right now.
