Chapter 81

Chapter 81:

Jenna’s cheeks flushed a deep red as she tugged at Phyllis’s hand. “Mom, please, let’s just go.”

“Jenna, you are too kind, always trying to refrain from embarrassing others, even now,” Phyllis sighed heavily.

As they were about to leave, a contestant walked by, murmuring loudly enough for others to hear, “Isn’t that the girl who got expelled? Why is she arguing with Madi?”

Madi?

Everyone knew who that was. Phyllis’s eyebrows shot up, her voice tinged with surprise. “Are they talking about you?” She stared at Jenna, disbelief etched across her face.

At that moment, Jenna wished she could just disappear, escaping the mounting embarrassment.

“Jenna, you are Madi? That’s incredible! Why didn’t you tell us?” Phyllis’s face lit up with pride and joy. She was convinced her daughter was a star.

Madisyn could never measure up to her daughter!

The air thickened with tension as Phyllis’s gaze shifted mockingly towards Madisyn, preparing to gloat further. But before she could utter a word, the same onlooker who had started the murmur approached Madisyn excitedly.

“Madi, could I get your autograph?”

Madisyn looked at the lively girl and nodded.

“Just sign it right here on my shirt!” the girl blurted out excitedly.

Madisyn’s lips tightened briefly, but she obliged, taking the pen and beginning to scrawl her signature across the fabric.

The sight seemed to strike Phyllis like a physical blow, her face a picture of stunned disbelief as the realization dawned on her: Madi was not Jenna—it was Madisyn.

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Then the expelled contestant was… Jenna?

The reality of this stark reversal sent Phyllis’s head spinning, and Jenna, overwhelmed by humiliation and distress, quickly ushered her mother toward their car and climbed in.

It took Phyllis a moment to piece it all together as they sat in silence. “Madisyn is Madi?”

Jenna’s composure broke, tears streaming down her face. “Yes, Mom. I don’t know how she ended up being Madi, and she’s the reason I was expelled!”

Phyllis felt her head reel even more.

Madi was a legendary name in the dance world, a symbol of excellence. If Madisyn was indeed the renowned Madi, the Chapman family could have reveled in her success and gained considerable prestige.

“Madisyn is so odd. Why would she keep her identity a secret? She could have brought so much prestige to the Chapman family.” Jenna sobbed harder.

Disdain flickered in Phyllis’s eyes, her voice dripping with contempt. “This bitch, she just doesn’t want the Chapman family to shine, does she? Ungrateful, that’s what she is. Even if she is Madi, so what? If she doesn’t place well in the international competition, she’ll only end up a laughingstock!”

The stakes were high; the entire nation was focused on the competition, and Phyllis believed that the higher one climbed, the harder they fell.

Jenna blinked, absorbing her mother’s harsh words.

Meanwhile, in an upscale restaurant, a group awaited Madisyn’s arrival, their anticipation palpable.

“You should have started without me,” Madisyn said apologetically.

“How can we eat without you! Madisyn, you’re so brilliant! I can’t believe you’re Madi. I’m going to be bragging about this for ages!” Waylon exclaimed, his voice full of excitement and pride.

“Well, you’d better eat. Can’t you see Madisyn wants to keep a low profile?” Without waiting for a response, Dane playfully shoved a piece of carrot into Waylon’s mouth.

Waylon pouted, but still accepted the food.

Lynda offered some food to Madisyn. “Madisyn, I’ve had the wrong idea about you before. If you ever need help, just let me know. Also, the selections for the international competition are out. You and Kristine made the cut, along with the runners-up in the competition. There’s still some time to gear up—I’m eager to see what you’ll bring to the stage.”

The topic hung heavy in the air, and Madisyn simply nodded, absorbing Lynda’s words.

“Of course, don’t stress too much. Just do your best,” Lynda added reassuringly.

“Okay,” Madisyn replied, her voice steady.

Kristine, observing the encouragement Madisyn received, clenched her fork tightly and gritted her teeth in silence.

As the Johns family finished their dinner and returned home, Madisyn’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Andrew.

“I’m waiting for you at the gate.”

Surprised, Madisyn wondered why he had come. Nonetheless, curiosity piqued, she made her way outside to meet him.

Beside a sleek luxury car, Andrew’s tall figure was unmistakable, catching Madisyn’s eye as she approached.

“What brings you here?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

“You didn’t tell me you were so popular,” Andrew replied, his eyes warm with admiration. “I heard you are going to take part in the international competition. Are you feeling any pressure?”

“No, I’ll be fine. Where did you hear about it?” Madisyn inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“It seems everyone knows.” Andrew chuckled lightly, easing the mood.

Madisyn nodded, and just then, Andrew presented her with a delicate jewelry box.

“This is for you. I hope you like it.”

Opening the box, Madisyn was met with the shimmer of a beautiful pink bracelet, its glow reflecting softly in her eyes.

“Why did you buy me a gift again?” she asked, a mix of delight and confusion in her voice.

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