Chapter 410
+25 BONUS
However, after today’s auditorium incident, Darcie would be the laughingstock of the faculty for years.
That was why receiving her termination notice actually brought relief. Continuing to teach here would mean enduring daily–scorn from colleagues.
Yet being forced out still rankled.
Darcie’s gaze sliced toward Tilly. “Tilly Greene! Since I might never see you again, I’ll finally say what’s been festering in me for years!
“I hate you!”
Her fists clenched, jaw muscles bulging as she ground her teeth.
Tilly’s face showed genuine confusion–she’d sensed Darcie’s hostility since their first meeting, but never understood why. Now Darcie’s roar explained everything.
“If you chose pregnancy before 20, why did you have to compete in the Hundred Flowers Cup? Why sweep every national classical dance award?
“The dancers you defeated weren’t untalented–just awardless. They got stuck in minor roles because you took all the glory!
“Do you know how many careers your lovesick choices ruined? Had I won gold, I’d be on world stages instead of teaching toddlers!”
Darcie swiped angrily at her tears. Her eyes were bloodshot, cheeks puffing with rage as she remembered her resume full of silver medals.
When Tilly had burst onto the scene, every Capitol dancer became her backdrop.
Then at her peak, Tilly retired–dragging down all her longtime understudies who’d never get leading roles after playing second fiddle for hundreds of performances.
Tilly hung her head, shadows enveloping her entire body. Her hands clasped tightly before her chest, nails digging into her soft palms.
“I’m sorry…” The weak whisper had barely left her lips when suddenly–a hand settled on her wrist.
Tilly looked up to find Elara standing beside her.
“Apologies are meaningless now.”
Elara turned to Darcie and said in a calm voice, “Let me share something. I, too, chose to be a housewife at 20. After I dropped out of Capitol University, my mentor, Tobias Snapp, refused to accept any more female students. “He decided educating women was worthless–why bother when they’d just abandon their training to play house? “It was Tobias who robbed those women of opportunities, yet I became the villain who ‘wasted her education.‘ “Doesn’t that mirror your resentment toward Tilly? Blaming her brilliance for others‘ failed careers?” Amber light reflected in Elara’s eyes, her clear gaze rippling like undisturbed water.
“Women’s lives contain multitudes men never experience childbirth, nursing, our own biology. Shouldn’t that grant us more grace to stumble, learn, and grow?
“Even if I marry or devote myself to my children, I still deserve education. I still deserve to compete. When we tear
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each other down instead of uniting, more women lose m
Elara’s voice lifted. “Ms. Roman, few things truly matter your future might still shine bright.”
Darcie stood frozen. Her hatred for Tilly, her prejudice ag
Rosalie had hinted to her before that Elara schemed her w and Harold who’d become the laughing stock in the audit
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Chapter 410
each other down instead of uniting, more women lose mentors and more dancers miss their spotlight.
Elara’s voice lifted. “Ms. Roman, few things truly matter besides life and death. Beyond Summit Academy’s gates, your future might still shine bright.”
Darcie stood frozen. Her hatred for Tilly, her prejudice against Elara–suddenly, none of it held weight.
ל
Rosalie had hinted to her before that Elara schemed her way into becoming Mrs. Fisher. But today, it was Rosalie and Harold who’d become the laughing stock in the auditorium.
