Chapter 29

From her seat, Arabella watched as the speaker,who was also a dance major, walked straight over to Jessica Roman, the troupe's instructor,handing her a phone with the video.

A look of thunder crossed Jessica's face once she finished watching.

"Elissa, can you explain what's going on here?"Jessica asked sharply as she pressed play and showed the video right in front of Elissa.

All around her, teammates craned their necks to get a glimpse, each one taken aback by what they saw.

"I never realized Isabella had choreographed something like that before!"

"To be honest, it felt recognizable right away. I just never imagined it would turn out to be one of Isabella's pieces."

"Has Elissa completely lost it? Plagiarizing Isabella's dance is asking for trouble."

Taking credit for a peer's routine was already a scandal. To steal from Isabella, who had such a

loyal fanbase, only made it worse.

Word traveled quickly. Audience members shared the clip, and the atmosphere turned from confusion to outrage.

"She doesn't belong in the Griridge Troupe with this kind of behavior!"

"How could the troupe let this happen? Elissa should be kicked out, plain and simpole!"

"Elissa needs to go,right now!"

Elissa felt the world spinning as she stumbled backward, her face completely drained of color.Zoe turned to her, stunned. "Elissa, is any of this true?"

Unprepared and overwhelmed, Elissa stammered,"|...

A wave of realization hit her. Kenzie hadactually taken Isabella's choreography.

If that fact had been clear from the start,admitting to using Kenzie's routine would have been the least of her worries.

However, the chance to change things had already slipped away, and now everyone was convinced that she had copied Isabella's work.

"Unbelievable!" Zoe's hand struck without warning, the sharp sound echoing as it landed across Elissa's cheek.

That single blow shattered any dignity Elissa had left. One hand pressed to her stinging face, she tried to speak. "Ms. Miller, I-"

"You have no idea what you've done!" Zoe's fury was barely contained. This scandal would follow her too.

Tears finally overtook Elissa. "I never wanted things to turn out like this. I only wanted to use her dance for inspiration-"

"Do you even know where the line is?" Zoe's voice rose above the murmurs. "Inspiration isn't the same as stealing!"

Stepping forward, Jessica faced the audience."We sincerely apologize for what happened here.Should it be proven that Elissa copied Isabella's choreography, she will be expelled from our troupe. Thank you all for demanding honesty."

A sharp gesture signaled the team to head backstage.

Cold eyes bore into Elissa as Jessica paused. "Is there anything else you want to say for yourself?"

"I made a mistake. I just wanted to study it." Elissa sobbed as tears rolled down her cheeks and reached her trembling lips.

"You are expelled," Jessica announced in a voice as cold as ice.

Without sparing Elissa another glance, she walked away in search of the vice president for the troupe.

A replacement had to be found before the official performance could go on.

Elissa's legs buckled beneath her, sending her crashing to the floor, the harsh reality settling in that her dream of a dance career had come to an end.

Time slipped away unnoticed while Elissa sat in stunned silence. As the room slowly emptied,clarity returned, and her only hope now was to plead with Jessica for another chance.

Inside the rehearsal space, a familiarsilhouette beside Jessica caught her eye.

Shock made Elissa's voice crack. "Daisy? Is that really you?"

Arabella answered with a calm smile, "Hi, Elissa.I'll be stepping in as your replacement."

A rush of disbelief sent Elissa into a panic. "You're joking! You think you've earned this spot?" In her eyes, Daisy was nothing but a background extra,and she could not believe someone like her could ever measure up. "Ms. Roman, she's not qualified. She just isn't good enough!"

Jessica's patience snapped. "Leave the studio,Elissa.I won't allow you to disturb our work."

Desperation made Elissa raise her voice. "You can't let her do this! She really can't do it!"

Watching Daisy take her place filled Elissa with unbearable humiliation.

Jessica's command was sharp. "Out, now!"

Biting down hard on her lower lip, Elissa glared with pure resentment. Even so, she forced herself to walk out, dignity in shreds.

Taking a measured breath, Arabella turned to the rest of the troupe and offered a polite introduction, her gaze settling on Lailah. "Hi everyone, I'm Daisy Stanley. From today on, I'll be joining your practices. I might've been a substitute before, but I promise to give it my all and keep pace with everyone here."

Lailah's eyes narrowed in clear displeasure.

Throughout.thenexthour,thetmosphere a softened as teammates saw that Arabella's skills easily matched what Elissa had brought to the group.

By the time class ended, a crowd gathered around Arabella, eager to hear the story behind her previous defeat to Elissa.

Scrolling through group chat messages, Arabella saw how Elissa's plagiarism scandal had gone viral. Whatever reputation Elissa once had was now in ruins.

Online,the drama was only escalating.