Chapter 340
Some parents remained seated, staying out of the argument. They quietly edited the videos they had just recorded. and uploaded them online.
“If Merida doesn’t want to quit, then let her embarrass herself on stage.”
“The audience’s eyes are sharp! If she drags my daughter’s performance down, I’ll make sure she’s drowned in online criticism!”
The seated parents whispered among themselves.
“Mommy,” Merida called out softly to Elara, who took her chubby little hand in hers.
Merida bit her lower lip as her other hand rested on her chest, fingers lightly clutching the crystal decorations on her costume. Her eyes were misty, and the corners glistened with unshed tears.
“I… I’ll just quit!”
Merida had made up her mind. When she put on the costume, many of the other children had secretly laughed at her.
She asked why they were laughing, and they told her it was because she was fat.
She didn’t think she was fat–she thought she was just fine. But when she made mistakes on stage, she began to doubt herself.
Elara crouched down in front of her. “Merida, is that really what you want?”
“Yes!” Merida nodded.
Elara had always respected her decisions. Merida reached up and took off the white feathered headband from her hair. Her dark locks tumbled down, and Elara’s fingers gently combed through them, smoothing out the tangles.
“I don’t want to be laughed at. When I’m on stage dancing, the way people look at me makes me uncomfortable.” As she spoke, Merida glanced at Darcie.
“Ms. Roman, if you don’t like me, just say it! No need to be so passive–aggressive. I’m only five, and I don’t do well with fake sugar coating.”
Darcie’s face instantly changed, her skin seeming to crack under the weight of Merida’s words.
“What are you talking about? Who taught you to say that?”
Merida pouted. “Mr. Theodore taught me. He said, ‘Even if you haven’t met a wolf, you’ll know when someone’s howling at you.‘ He told me to spot the fake smiles so I don’t get tricked by them!”
Elara looked at Merida with a faint smile in her eyes.
da, you’ve learned to let go and stop conforming to others‘ expectations. But quitting doesn’t mean giving
“Mommy wants to ask the school to give you a chance to perform solo on stage! Would you like to try that?” Elara’s words slowly lit up Merida’s eyes, which had dimmed moments ago. A spark of excitement flickered deep within her.
Elara knew her daughter loved the stage. She took every dance move seriously and adored the sparkling costumes and dance shoes.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 340
Merida wanted recognition and applause, but being sidelined in a group performance wasn’t worth it. She’d rather step back and perform solo.
In Elara’s eyes, her daughter was more than capable of commanding the stage all on her own!
“Yes!” Merida nodded firmly at Elara. “I can perform a solo! But what should I do?”
She propped her chin on her hand, thinking.
“Ms. Jones, don’t be ridiculous. The talent show is about each class presenting one performance. The school won’t let Merida perform solo–it wouldn’t be fair to the other classes!”
Darcie’s gaze was full of disdain as she looked at the mother and daughter. Elara was no longer the Mrs. Fisher she once was, and even the former Fisher heiress had lost the Fisher name.
How dare these two not only ignore her but also dream of making their own decisions about the talent show lineup?
Merida spoke up, “I’m not asking to be judged, but I have the ability to perform solo!”
“That’s still not allowed!” Darcie’s tone was sharp and final. “What kind of precedent would that set?”
Standing below the stage, Rosalie suddenly had an idea. She smiled slyly and raised her voice, “Ms. Roman, why don’t you let Elara and Merida go ahead and make their request to the school?”
