Of course, the price remained the same. Ivy has learned a thing or two there, and sheâs more than happy to see the dance studioâs reputation soar.
Ivy looked indifferently at Ophelia, who, despite pleading, wore an expression of utter humiliation.
The situation struck her as rather comical.
âLook at you, not even a genuine apology. You love to dance, so keep on dancing here. But remember one thing-I donât want to hear any more trouble-making rumors started by you.â
Opheliaâs head snapped up as she glared at Ivy with venom. She was certain this woman was being vindictive just because of Mr. Howard.
Such a catch, and Ivy wanted him all to herself not even considering the mess sheâd caused for Opheliaâs family!
âWhat are you still looking at?â
Balfour stepped in front of Ivy, a frown creasing his forehead. He didnât take kindly to the hostile stares directed at her.
âSheâs agreed to let you stay, but if you canât behave, I can just as easily have you leave.â
Eventually, under Balfourâs reproachful gaze, Ophelia lowered her eyes, seething, âYes, I understand.â
Once Balfour and Ivy left, the classroom buzzed back to life from the eerie silence that had settled over it. Everyone huddled together, still buzzing about Ivyâs performance.
âWow, I had no idea she could dance like that. Iâm totally blown away!â
âYeah, I always thought Ms. Madison was just buttering her up when they said she had talent! Turns out, jeez, Iâve been dancing for years and canât even hold a candle to her. The gap between people is even bigger than between people and pigs.â
âDonât beat yourself up, even whatâs-her-name,â she glanced at the silent Ophelia, then continued, âwith all her trophies, still canât compare, right? Talent is just something youâre born with.â
With that thought, they felt less disheartened. They might not have natural talent, but they could make up for it with hard work.
After all, not everyone in the world is gifted. As long as they put in the effort, they could make up for any shortcomings.
âAlright, enough of that. Next time, donât join in badmouthing Ivy, okay? Didnât you see how protective Balfour is of her? Theyâre sweet on each other. Besides, after spending all this time together, I think Ivyâs not the ice queen the internet makes her out to be.â
The group nudged each other, ready to practice the new dance routine they had just started.
Ophelia was left alone, her fists clenched, simmering with rage as she cursed inwardly, âIvy, Iâll make you pay!â
Why should these people trample her dignity?
Was it just because she didnât have a protector like Balfour?
Ivy was nothing more than a bully, riding on Balfourâs coattails.
Why was the world so unfair?
âOne day, youâll know what it feels like to be humiliated in front of a crowd.â Ophelia cursed under her breath.
Ms. Madison, seeing her state, knew that no words would reach her now. Thus, there was no point in wasting breath. If Ophelia caused any more trouble, she truly couldnât stay.
Even if Ivy were magnanimous, they wouldnât keep a student who disrupted the harmony.
They all came here for one reason: to dance.