Chapter 99

Chapter 99:

But underneath it all, Anna felt a wave of relief wash over her.

Madisyn’s dancing skills indeed scared her. Yet now, without Madisyn in the competition, Anna was convinced that the championship was hers for the taking.

As she began to mentally prepare herself for the stage, she could already picture the moment she would be crowned the youngest champion in the international dance competition.

“It’s been a minute already. If Madisyn from Lorpond doesn’t show up in the next two minutes, she’ll be considered to have forfeited,” one of the judges called out from below the stage.

The atmosphere grew even more charged, with everyone’s eyes fixed on the stage. They were waiting to see what would happen next.

“It looks like Madisyn won’t be showing up,” the host declared as he stepped back onto the stage.

But then, a sudden blur of motion caught everyone’s attention. A figure streaked across the stage from the side—so swift and fluid that no one could quite grasp how she moved. It was as if a beam of silver moonlight had pierced through the dark, instantly igniting a spark of hope in the audience’s eyes.

It was Madisyn. She had arrived just in time, barely within the two-minute deadline.

The host, stunned, had no choice but to retreat and make way for her performance.

The judges from Mafelen exchanged surprised glances. They had heard that Madisyn had been caught in a car accident—how had she managed to show up now?

Backstage, Anna’s gaze locked onto the display screen, her eyes widening in shock as if she had seen a ghost.

Beside her, Bill frowned deeply before letting out a derisive laugh. “This Madisyn, she’s really cunning. She kept quiet about her situation just to throw us off, then swooped in at the last second to catch us off guard.”

Anna’s hands clenched into fists, tension coiling in her chest. Sensing her unease, Bill leaned in, whispering reassurances. “But don’t stress. We’ve got Plan B. Remember, we’ve worked hard to get five of our dancers onto the judging panel—only we know the lengths we’ve gone to for this situation. This championship is yours, without a doubt.”

Anna’s eyes lowered, her long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks. A heavy weight settled in her heart. She had wanted to win fair and square. Would Madisyn’s performance outshine hers?

Bill, noticing Anna’s continued unease, tried to bolster her confidence. “Alright, Anna, don’t worry. I know you are a strong and independent woman. The dance I gave you was crafted by the best in the industry, tailored just for you. Madisyn doesn’t stand a chance against that.”

Anna nodded, feeling a flicker of reassurance as she looked back at Madisyn.

Madisyn took center stage, clad in a silver-white dress that seemed to be made of moonlight itself. Her figure was flawless, like a sculpture carved by a master. As the lights bathed her in their glow, every strand of her hair shimmered, and every movement she made seemed to cleanse the very souls of the audience.

Then, the music began to play.

Madisyn’s movements were a spellbinding blend of grace and precision, holding the entire audience in thrall.

In that moment, she wasn’t just dancing—she was gliding like a fairy across the stage, every step a testament to her skill and elegance. She executed complex, high-difficulty moves with a seamless ease that left the audience breathless, her fluidity and poise mesmerizing to behold.

On the darkened stage, she was the beacon of light that illuminated the night.

In the crowd, Andrew watched her intently, his gaze never wavering.

His world had always been shrouded in darkness and cold, but now, it was as if a single ray of light had pierced through, chasing away the shadows within him. His hardened expression softened, like ice slowly melting into a gentle stream. A rare smile tugged at Andrew’s lips.

This dance stunned everyone.

Madisyn’s past performances had been nothing short of extraordinary, but in the final, she surpassed even the loftiest of expectations.

As her dance came to a close, she stood still for a moment, then bowed gracefully to the audience. Even in stillness, she exuded an otherworldly beauty, her presence as ethereal as ever.

The audience held their breath for just a second, then erupted into a deafening applause, their admiration pouring out in waves.

Lynda, watching from the sidelines with tears in her eyes, felt a profound realization: Madisyn’s performance had signaled the rise of Lorpond dance on the global stage once more.

The thunderous applause reverberating through the hall was a testament to that.

At that moment, Lynda felt a deep sense of fulfillment, as if she could die without any regrets, knowing that Lorpond dance had reclaimed its rightful place in the world.

With Madisyn’s breathtaking performance concluded, the competition transitioned into the scoring phase. The final rankings would be revealed in an hour, leaving the atmosphere thick with anticipation.

Backstage, Madisyn was quickly surrounded by a crowd of fellow dancers, all eager to connect with her.

“Madisyn, you are incredible. Can we get to know each other better?”

“Madisyn, who choreographed your dance? It was absolutely stunning. Who knew Lorpond dance could be so mesmerizing!”

Their eyes sparkled with genuine admiration, and Madisyn, touched by their passion for the art, graciously exchanged contact information with them.

Eventually, Madisyn made her way back to her dressing room, ready to unwind. But as she approached the sofa, she noticed something unexpected—a bouquet of exquisite blue roses, freshly picked and vibrant, resting there. The sight caught her off guard.

Before she could fully process it, a deep, resonant voice came from behind. “Your performance today captivated the entire audience.”

Madisyn turned to find Andrew stepping forward, his beautiful eyes softened with warmth and affection. “You are truly outstanding.”

Madisyn smiled, a playful glint in her eye. “To hear from the head of Klein Group that I am outstanding, I must be really something special.” She paused, eyeing the bouquet with a hint of amusement. “But tell me, why the flowers again?”

.

.

.