Rebecca added, ” If you don’t want to lose face, just go ” Facing her firm stance, Vance didn’t push it. Stepping out, he said, “I’ll wait outside. ” The doctor was an old – timer. After Rebecca described her condition, he examined her thoroughly and concluded that too much time had passed. There was no guarantee of success, but it was worth a try. He provided a rehabilitation plan, which included daily treatment sessions. That wasn’t practical for Rebecca, who lived in Soliaridge. The doctor reassured her, ” Treatment sessions are no issue.
I have a student there. But you should prepare yourself mentally. It might not fix your problem.”
“I understand. Thank you, doctor. ” She hadn’t held much hope for her leg anyway, so there wasn’t a huge psychological drop. The doctor did one session and suggested two more to monitor her situation, but her flight was tomorrow. She thought it over and decided to change the ticket since Vance had found out everything. She changed her flight to the afternoon two days later. ” Rebecca, ” Desmond said as they left the clinic, ” do you want to go back to school and take a look?
“She did, actually. ” Let’s go! ” he said happily. Outside the clinic, Vance was nowhere to be seen, probably off picking gifts with Catherine. Rebecca got in Desmond’s car, and they headed to the dance academy. The familiar classrooms, dorms, and practice rooms stirred more turmoil in her heart. Those four years at the academy were the most shining moments of her life. They were forever frozen in the summer of five years ago, and she didn’t even dare think about whether she regretted it. ” They’re doing a showcase promo. Mrs. Lemke is probably at the exhibit hall.
Let’s check it out. ” Desmond led her toward the exhibit hall. Upon entering, Rebecca saw not only Lauren but also an elegant lady viewing the texts and photos on the display boards. ” Desmond, Rebecca! ” Lauren called out, waving at them. Desmond winked at the lady, and she smiled knowingly. ” This is Rebecca. ” Lauren pulled her close. ” And this is Mrs. Schroeder. ” Rebecca couldn’t help glancing at Desmond. He grinned. ” You guessed right. This is my mom, and she’s a big fan. ” It dawned on her that he took his mom’s last name.
During the subsequent tour, Rebecca learned that Joyce Schroeder was donating a new theater to the academy. Moreover, she had watched Rebecca dance before and liked her very much. They dined together that evening, and Joyce invited her to their family banquet the next night. ” Lauren is coming too. You won’t be alone, ” Joyce enthused. Rebecca agreed, touched by her kindness. Afterward, Desmond drove Rebecca back to the hotel, and she asked curiously, ” Your family is living in Arelinoor Why did you join the Soliaridge Troupe? ” He gave her a deep look and smiled.
“My mom kicked me out to make me independent. ” She didn’t press, knowing he was joking to dodge the question. He arranged to pick her up the next day, and the two parted ways. In the hotel room, Rebecca realized that for a banquet, she needed to dress up. So, she contacted a brand consultant in Soliaridge, asking the latter to help order clothes and shoes from their Arelmoor store. The consultant immediately sent photos of new arrivals, but they were for men.
That was because Rebecca had barely gone out and didn’t need many clothes for herself. She had mostly ordered for Vance. She smiled bitterly, telling the consultant she wanted women’s evening wear. The consultant apologized and quickly sent over the women’s options. She selected an apricot gown, a pair of flat shoes, and a clutch bag. She paid and had them delivered to her hotel before Vance’s call came in. The sight of his name flashing on the screen stirred nothing but disgust. She rejected the call and blocked him. An hour later, the gown arrived.
She tried it on and felt it was suitable, then took a shower and went to bed. She hadn’t brought her notebook, so before falling asleep, she recited silently to herself, ” Countdown to leaving Vance Bradford, Day 22: I’ve blocked him, and now the world feels quieter. ” On Day 21, she woke up to find a new email in her inbox. It was from the school, informing her that her certificate of enrollment had been processed. Now she could schedule her student visa appointment.
Since the tour visa hadn’t come through yet, she planned to book the appointment later in Soliaridge, giving her time to prepare the required documents. The Schroeder family was hosting a banquet that day, and she figured they would be very busy, so she went to see the doctor on her own. When Desmond called, she lied that she had already finished the session and returned to the hotel. She reassured him that she would see him at the banquet that evening and insisted he didn’t need to pick her up. She could make her own way there.
In the afternoon, she returned to the hotel and took a nap. When she woke up, it was time to prepare for the banquet. She had no issue with makeup and hair, fortunately, she had brought some simple cosmetics. After she changed into the gown and did her makeup, Desmond called again, still intending to pick her up. Unwilling to trouble him too much, she lied that she was already on her way and would call him when she arrived at the venue. She was indeed about to set off. Once Desmond agreed, she headed out with her bag. The banquet was quite an extravagant affair.
She had passed by this place during her school days, thinking that it was magnificent and that entry required an invitation. What she hadn’t expected was to encounter Catherine here. Catherine stood waiting on the steps, and as Rebecca approached, they came face – to – face. Without Vance around, Catherine dropped all pretense, looking her up and down with a mocking expression. ” Even wearing that dress, you look like a mismatched mess. What are you doing here? ” There came another voice. ” Who are you talking to, Cathy? ” Aiden approached after hearing the commotion.
With someone else present, Catherine’s tone shifted to a more delicate one. ” Rebecca, are you here to sabotage Vance’s business again? Last time with Mr. Lemke’s project falling through, he was so worn out that he lost a lot of weight. This time, he’s finally negotiating cooperation with the Mueller family. Can’t you just give him a break? ” Ignoring Catherine, Rebecca lowered her head to send a message, telling Desmond she had arrived. F ‘ Are you messaging Vance? ” Catherine continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ” Why bother?Even if he lets you in, it’ll only make him a laughingstock. Know some shame and go back.”
“Some people just don’t know when to be content, ” Aiden scoffed. ” Here she is, living the good life at home, with everything provided for her, and still, she can’t sit still. She has to come out and embarrass herself. Even if she doesn’t care about her reputation, what about Vance’s career? Doesn’t she feel bad about that? As if it’s not Vance’s money being spent.”
Aiden’s tone was filled with contempt. Previously, he had resented Rebecca for not being worthy of Vance. Now, that hatred had become more concrete because Vance’s collaboration project with Pascal had fallen through. Rebecca found it puzzling. Why was she being blamed for the project’s failure at all? Had she forced those two to pretend to be a couple? ” You should go back. The Mueller family’s banquet is invitation – only. Each of us has an invitation letter, and you don’t. It would only cause trouble for Vance ; he’d have to explain who you are.
What if they don’t believe you and refuse you entry? That would embarrass him, ” Catherine said with a pleading look, as if entirely considering Vance’s interests. Aiden snorted, ” She’s just afraid Vance will abandon her. He comes to Arelmoor, and she follows. He attends the banquet, and she chases after him. It’s been five years. Doesn’t she care about his well – being at all? All she thinks about is maintaining her status.”
“Don’t say that about Rebecca, ” Catherine said, still wearing an innocent expression. ” I understand her anxiety.
Without Vance, how could she survive? Holding on to him is her only hope. That’s pitiful. ” Aiden was unimpressed. ” You’re just too kind – hearted. ” Vance’s voice rang out from behind them. ” What are you guys talking about? ” Rebecca was standing just two steps in front of him, but he didn’t realize that the woman in the apricot gown was his wife. He walked straight toward Catherine, looking over only when he noticed that both Aiden and Catherine were staring in the same direction. ” Rebecca? ” His eyes widened, but he quickly regained his composure.” You found your way here? If you had just told me, I would have arranged an extra invitation. ” His words carried a faint reproach that only Rebecca could detect. He was blaming her for rejecting his call and blocking him. And now, she had followed him there. Aiden firmly took Catherine’s side. ” This is our first time dealing with Mr. Mueller, so it wouldn’t be proper to impose it. ” The implication was clear. He was against letting Rebecca go inside. From a distance, Rebecca spotted Desmond coming out.
She was about to say that she had no intention of going in with them, but before she could, Catherine interjected, ” Maybe I shouldn’t go in? Let Rebecca take my invitation. ” She was playing the emotion card again, but Rebecca refused flatly. ” No need. I’ll go in by myself. ” Catherine grabbed her arm. ” If you do this, people will laugh at Vance. Just take my invitation.”
“I never said I’d go in with you, did 1 ? ” Rebecca scoffed. ” Relax. Even if you claim to be Vance’s mother today, I won’t expose you. We’re just strangers, and I’ll keep my distance, okay?
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